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 Front Court Play |
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FRONT-COURT PLAY
OVERALL PURPOSE OF PLAY
In full-court play, players try to advance the ball quickly to exploit situations in which offensive players outnumber opponents, such as in 2-on-1 and 3-on-2 situations. However, in front-court play, when all of the defensive players have occupied positions in their defensive set, players use the front-court framework to break down the defence. Breaking down the defence creates scoring opportunities, which result in high percentage shots.
BREAKING DOWN THE DEFENCE
To break down a defence effectively, players exploit mismatches and use screens to create mismatches.
Exploiting Mismatches
A mismatch occurs when, because of height, quickness, or skill differences, a defensive player cannot guard a player on offence. For example, a defensive player is shorter or cannot jump nearly as high as the player he/she is guarding. Recognizing this, players use the framework so that the defender has to guard their teammate in the Hole.
Using Screens
Screening can be very effective in creating mismatches by forcing defenders to switch checks. For example, after a switch, a defender with poor defensive skills is forced to guard a more skilled opponent.
When a break down occurs, teammates react by helping the player suffering the mismatch. In doing so, they leave one or two offensive players open for high percentage shots.
Also, when a player shoots after a break down, teammates responsible for offensive rebounding can usually get good rebounding position.
GROUPING PLAYERS
In the front-court set (see diagram in the section Offensive Sets), there are three strong-side positions (#1, #3, and #5) and two weak-side positions (#2 and #4). On the strong side, two 3 group players occupy the #1 and #3 positions and a 2 group player occupies the #5 position.
On the weak side, a 2 group player and a 3 group player occupy the #2 and the #4 positions. Who occupies which position depends on the situation during play.
Once players achieve the appropriate skill and comfort level, they can stunt. For example, a 3 group player on the strong-side can stunt with the 2 group player in the post.
PHASES OF PLAY
The Entry Phase
Before front-court play can begin, players have to move from positions in either the fast-break triangle or the mid-court set to occupy positions in the front-court set. During this entry phase, players exploit scoring opportunities. This phase also includes sideline and baseline throw-ins in the front court.
The Front-Court Phase
After completing the entry phase, the players use the front-court framework to break down the defence.
The Defensive Phase of Play
As players anticipate a shot, the 2 group players rebound and the 3 group players occupy the long safety, short safety, and the free safety positions. For detailed information go the sections, Defensive Sets and Play on Defence.
AN OVERVIEW OF PLAY
In the entry and front-court phases of play, the player who has priority selects, from an array of options assigned to that position, the most appropriate play option to execute. While performing tasks assigned to their positions, teammates key on the player who has priority. The play option he/she selects provides cues for them to coordinate their actions and movement with his/hers.
The play options are sequenced. For example, a player receiving a pass as he/she enters the #2 position checks off, first, the one-on-one play options. He/she may initiate a shot and shoot or initiate a shot and drive; or initiate a drive and drive or initiate a drive and shoot. Not doing so quickly, he/she checks off the next play option.
Consequently, knowing what is likely to happen next, teammates of the player who has priority can coordinate their play with her/him. For example, at the moment a 3 group player receives a pass, the two 2 group players are ready to hit the boards. The other two 3 group players are ready for the defensive transition phase.
THE ENTRY PHASE OF FRONT-COURT PLAY
When moving to occupy positions in transition from either the fast-break triangle or the mid-court set into the front-court set, players should move quickly and take the shortest route.
Transition from the Fast-Break Triangle
With the ball in the point position. The player in the point position cues transition either by not quickly shooting or by not quickly passing to the hole or the baseline player. In diagram A, a 3 group player is in the hole position. The 2 group players occupy the two trail positions.
In diagram B, a 2 group player is in the hole position. A 3 group player is the strong-side trail and a 2 group player is the weak-side trail.
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With the ball in the baseline position. The player in the baseline position cues transition by not quickly shooting. As he uses the dribble to enter the #3 position, teammates move quickly to the positions in the fron-court set. In diagram A, a 3 group player occupies the hole position and a 2 group player occupies the trail position.
In diagram B, a 2 group player is in the hole position and a 3 group player is in the trail position.
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Transition from the Mid-Court Set
You will recall that the task of the strong-side players is to get the ball, first, to the #1 position and, second, to the #3 position. Some examples of how the strong-side players execute entries to the #1 position are in the sub-section Executing Front-Court Entries From The Mid-Court in the section on Mid-Court Play. Unable to pass the ball to the #1 position, the strong-side lead executes a dribble entry to the #3 position.
During a passing or dribble entry to the #1 position, players exploit scoring opportunities, some examples are also shown in the relevant subsection in the section on Mid-Court Play.
Not scoring quickly during a passing or dribble entry to the #1 position cues transition into the front-court set. There are two categories of entry, when the point executes a penetrating pass to the #1 position and when either the point executes a dribble entry or the strong-side lead executes a passing entry.
In the former situation, players move to positions in manner similar to transition to the front-court set from the fast-break triangle, described above.
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THE FRONT-COURT PHASE OF PLAY
An Overview
Play begins in the front court at the moment the player with the ball is in either the #1 or the #3 position and teammates have occupied or are occupying the other positions in the front-court set. The purpose of play is to break down the defence with penetrating drives and cuts before taking a perimeter shot.
As the ball moves moves from one position to another, either with a pass or dribble, each player should know the play options assigned not only to his/her position, but also the play options assigned to the other positions. They should also know how these play options are sequenced. For example, each time a player receives a pass, he/she initiates a shot or a drive and can execute either one in less than three-seconds. However, a player in a relay position will generally initiate a penetrating pass immediately after receiving a pass or ending a dribble. For example, the player in #3 will initiate a pass to the player in the #5 position. Whether or not he/she executes it depends on a number of factors, such as how the defence reacts to that initiation.
Players without the ball key on the player with the ball and the player who has priority. It is these two players who determine what will happen next. For example, a player receives a pass as she/enters the #2 position. Not executing a shot or a drive cues the teammate who has priority to execute a play option assigned to his/her position.
The location of the ball determines which position has priority. For example, when the ball is in the #1 position, the player in #2 has priority.
The following information about play in the front-court set is called BASIC. It is the foundation or initial building block of the front-court framework. Other play options and positions can be added.
Play in Basic
In Basic, the primary attack positions are the weak-side positions (#2 and #4). The players on the strong-side are ready to exploit scoring opportunities created by effective weak-side play. For example, the player in #1 initiates a pass to a weak-side player who is executing an explosive penetrating cut (a dive) to the money. In this situation, whenever the opponent guarding #5 is either distracted by the dive or moves to help, the player in #1 executes a pass to #5.
Following are examples of play in Basic.
The ball in #1. When the ball is in #1, the player in #2 has priority. Ideally, the player in #1 should be live, that is, be able to dribble, so that he/she can drive after initiating a pass.
Having priority, the player in #2 can call for the ball, calling for, but not receiving a pass is a cue to back door. Not receiving the pass as she/enters the money, cues an exchange with the player in #4. The player exiting from the money moves to the #4 position, while the player in #4 moves to the #2 position. During that exchange, the player in #1 may execute a one-on-one play option or pass to either #5 or #3, always working inside out, that is, a player passes to a perimeter position only after checking off a penetrating pass to the money.
Should the player in #2 be guarded closely, she/he walks her/his opponent to create a cutting lane. As the player completes the walk with the push-off foot coming to the floor, she/he can dive, pop (a quick move back to the #2 position), or screen (diagram A) for the player in #4. Again, the player in #1 can drive or shoot and, when appropriate, pass to either #5 or #3. For example, the opponent of #5 is denying the passing lane from #1 to #5. Reading this situation, #1 can use the player in #3 to relay the ball to #5, who seals his/her opponent as #1 passes to #3.
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The ball in #2.The moment a player receives a pass in the #2 position, he/she initiates and may execute a one-on-one play option. For example, initiating a drive and driving or initiating a drive and executing a jump shot, all under three seconds.
splitting the defence - When a player executes a drive, he/she must decide either to turn the corner or to take an opponent for a ride. Turning the corner means that the player who is driving can burn the defender and go directly to the basket and score. Taking an opponent for a ride involves executing a drive and, as the defender is moving backward, stopping quickly to execute a jump shot before the defender can react.
As the player in #2 executes a drive, the player in the #4 position slides to the baseline, ready to execute a jump shot, should the player guarding him/her move to help on the drive. The player in #5 is also ready for a dump pass.
playing off the dribble - The player in the #2 position can use a shuffle dribble to advance the ball to the low post position to post up his/her opponent. While advancing the ball, he/she can pop to execute a jump shot. If, as she/he pops, the defender reacts by moving forward, he/she can quickly change direction and drive to the hoop.
Not executing a one-on-one play option, transfers priority to the player in #1 who has been walking his/her opponent. That player has several options. He/she can pop, dive to the money, or stunt with the player in #3.
popping and receiving a pass - Receiving the pass while completing the pop, #1 initiates and may execute a one-on-one play option. The player in the #2 position now has priority.
popping and not receiving a pass - This is a cue for the player in #1 to dive to the money. Not receiving a pass while entering the money is a cue for him/her to exit to the weak side, thus establishing that side as the strong-side. This manoeuvre is called a flip-flop.
diving - After ending his/her walk, the player in #1 can dive to the money, exiting to the weak side.
stunting - Moving directly at the player in #3, #1 cues him/her to dive to the money, using #5 as a screen.
flip flopping - After a strong-side player executes a dive, he/she exits the money to the weak side. This exit switches the strong side and the weak side. As the player exits, the 2 group player on that side moves to occupy the #5 position. If he/she were in the #2 position, he/she would, after executing a reverse pass to a weak-side player, move to the #5 position. The exiting player would move to the #3 position and the 3 group player who was in #4 would move to #1. To move to the #5 position when in the #4 position, the 2 group player would set a down screen (diagram B) for the exiting player.
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The ball in #3. As the player in #1 executes a relay pass to the player in #3, the player in #5 seals his/her opponent. Consequently, the first play option #3 initiates is a penetrating pass to the player in #5. Not receiving the pass as #5 completes the seal, he/she resets in the #5 position.
Immediately after initiating, but not executing, a pass to #5, #3 can execute a one-on-one play option. Not executing a one-on-one play option transfers priority to the #1 position. The player in #1, after walking his opponent, can dive, pop, or stunt with the player in the #2 position, who in turn can stunt with the player in the #4 position.
driving the middle - The first choice of a player in the #3 position is to drive the middle. This is the most effective driving lane from a side lane to break down the defence. Executing this drive cues his/her teammates to pinch and slide (diagram A).
driving baseline - A player in the #3 position should drive baseline only if he/she is confident of being able to shoot a high percentage shot. To provide support in the event that the driving player does not shoot, the player in #1, moves to receive a release pass. (diagram B).
getting the ball to the #1 position - If the player in the #3 position does not execute a one-on-one play option, his/her task is to get the ball to the #1 position with a pass. For example, he/she can initiate and execute a pass to the player in #1 who is calling for it.
However, initiating, but not executing a pass to the player who is calling for it in #1 cues him/her to back door. Similarly, the player in #1, after walking his/her opponent, may dive or cue a stunt with a weak-side player. In each case the result is the same, a flip flop. Now the players in positions #3 and #5 are weak-side players, and the player with the ball is now in #4 (see diagram C). Read ball in #4 for more information.
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Play in #4. The player in the #2 position passes the ball to the #4 player, either after splitting the defence or reading that the strong-side player is executing a basket cut. A basket cut occurs when a cutter, as he/she enters the money is between the defender and the basket.
passing after splitting the defence - This situation is explained in this section under the sub-heading Play in #2.
passing after reading a basket cut - When a strong side player dives, the defender, if not burned, will be either between the basket and the cutter (ball cut) or between the cutter and the ball (basket cut). If the cutter is executing a ball cut, he/she is in good position to receive a penetrating pass front #2.
If, however, the cutter is executing a basket cut, the player in #2 should relay the ball to #4 (diagram A). As soon as, #4 receives the pass, he/she should initiate a penetrating pass to the sweet spot.
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Not executing the pass, the player with the ball who was in the #4 position on the weak side is now occupying the #3 position on the strong side, as the exiting player from the money cues a flip-flop. Immediately after initiating a penetrating pass, the player can shoot or drive, stop quickly and execute a jump shot.
play after a flip-flop - In the event that the player in #3 does not quickly execute a one-on-one play option, he/she must quickly get the ball to the #1 position. What happens next depends on whether the 2 group player is in the #1 or the #3 position. As there is no stunting in Basic, the 2 group player must occupy the #5 position as quickly as possible.
If the 2 group player is in the #1 position, the 3 group player will play off the dribble to enter the ball to the #1 position, as the 2 group player in #1 moves to the #5 position and the exiting 3 group player moves to occupy the #3 position (diagram A).
If the 2 group player is in the #3 position, he/she will pass quickly to the player in the #1 position and set a down screen for the exiting player (diagram B).
Unable to pass to the #1 player, the 2 group player in #3 will use an around (diagram C) to get the ball to the exiting player and, then, roll to the #5 position. An around occurs when the player with the ball sets the screen. The 3 group player in #3 now has all the play options explained in sub-section Ball in #3.
During this time frame to reset the strong side positions, the strong side players will exploit scoring opportunities. The weak-side players will walk their opponents back forth ready to react to what is happening on the strong side. The moment the ball gets to the #1 position, the weak-side player who has moved to occupy the #2 position has priority.
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The ball in #5. What the player in the lo post position does without the ball is equally important to what she/he does immediately after receiving a pass. Effective play without the ball will result in getting the ball in good position for high percentage shots.
the ball in the #2 position - The moment a player in #2 receives a reverse pass from #1, he/she will be initiating a one-on-one play option. At that moment, #5 should be sliding slightly toward the baseline ready to get rebound position on a shot, whether perimeter or lay-up, or to receive a dump pass, should her/his defender go to help, were #2 to drive to the hoop.
The player in #2 not shooting or driving cues #5 to slide back to her/his starting position or to execute a free cut (a unsequenced play option) to seal her/his opponent directly in front of the hoop. Not receiving a penetrating pass, #5 quickly resets in the lo post. A player must execute a free cut judiciously, using it only when the defender least expects it or is completely unprepared for it.
Resetting quickly clears the way for a strong-side player to dive. This creates another scoring opportunity for the player in #5, particularly when #1 stunts with #3 (diagram A). The dive by either #1 or #3 can partially screen or distract the opponent guarding #5, so that he/she is open to receive a pass in or near the money.
As players who dives exits, the player in #5 moves quickly to occupy the #2 position or stunts with the player in #3.
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the ball in the #1 position - When the ball is in the #1 position, the player in #5 is passive, that is, he/she is stationary, but ready to react quickly to pass from #1, who reads how #5 is being guarded. Therefore, as #1 initiates a pass to a weak-side player diving to the money, he/she may, should #5's opponent be distracted or inattentive, execute the pass to #5, either to the sweet spot (diagram A) or to #5 directly (diagram B) .
In the event, that the player guarding #5 overplays, #1 can relay the ball to #3. As he/she executes the pass, #5 seals her/his opponent. Ideally, the pass should be on its way from #3 as the seal is completed (diagram B). If #3 does not shoot or drive immediately after initiating the penetrating pass, #5 quickly resets. The player in #3 shooting or driving quickly puts #5, who just completed the seal, in excellent position to rebound a missed shot or to receive a dump pass, should #3 drive and attract help from the player guarding #5.
When the player in #5 receives a pass, he/she is expected to score or at least get fouled in the attempt. Unable to do so, he/she should pass to an open teammate who will score or reset the framework.
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