3.6 Modern Post Play in 5-Out Offenses

What it is

• Big receives ball at the top via Pistol action

How it works

• Instead of handing off, the big keeps the ball
• All four perimeter players have spaced to corners and wings
• Big dribbles into the post — guard's defender has chased the guard action and is now out of position
• DHO post: Big starts at the elbow, executes a DHO with a wing, dives to the block — DHO draws the big's defender toward the ball Key principle: In 5-Out, the post-up is an opportunistic action, not a set play.
• Mismatch post-up: Big sets a screen, ball-handler uses it, big seals the switching defender — posting up a smaller player

Reads and counters

• After Pistol action, if the guard's defender chases the handoff and vacates, the big keeps it and drives the open post.
• On DHO entry: if the wing's defender trails under, dive and seal the block; if they switch, post the smaller man fast.
• Before the catch, read help: single coverage, score over the seal; two on the ball, kick to the shooter help left.
• If defenders switch the screen-and-seal, deliver the entry pass and attack the mismatch before the help digger sets.
• Read the low man on the catch: stunts off the weakside corner, skip it across; stays home, finish over the seal.

Teaching cues

• Keep it and bury him
• Seal and sit
• Catch and read the help
• Spray to the shooter
• Post before they switch help

Bilingual terms

Related concepts