4-Out 1-In

What it is

• Formation: Four perimeter players, one big (usually Post Scorer or Versatile Big) positioned in the paint (low post, elbow, or high post depending on possession type).

How it works

• Structure: Primary Ball Handler initiates from perimeter or top of key
• Structure: Four perimeter players maintain spacing (three-point line or above)
• Structure: One big is not on three-point line; positioned in interior
• Structure: Interior big is both scorer and playmaker (reads PnR and post-up opportunities)
• Core Actions: Entry pass to big: Perimeter player passes into big (low post, elbow, or high post)

Reads and counters

• The interior big reads his defender on the catch: if fronted, seal and call for a lob over the top; if played behind, score over the shoulder.
• On post entry the passer reads help: if the nearest perimeter defender digs down, relocate one spot to give the big a clean kick-out lane.
• The big reads the double team direction and sprays away from it, hitting the shooter on the opposite side or the skip to the weak-side corner.
• A driving perimeter player reads the in-line big's defender: if that big tags the drive, dump to the duck-in; if not, finish.
• On a side ball screen, read the big: snake the drop, attack baseline vs ice, hit the short roll vs a hard hedge.

Teaching cues

• Feed the post, then space and relocate
• Seal early, hold your man on your back
• Spray away from the double
• Swing it, make the help travel
• Duck in when the ball drives

Bilingual terms

Related concepts