Set Plays and Play Calling
A set play is a predetermined sequence of actions with a clear objective: generate a shot for a specific player or players.
Actions And Plays
Anatomy of a Set Play
A set play is a predetermined sequence of actions with a clear objective: generate a shot for a specific player or players.
Direct answer
What is Anatomy of a Set Play?
A set play is a predetermined sequence of actions with a clear objective: generate a shot for a specific player or players.
Quick facts
| Category | Actions And Plays |
|---|---|
| Source volume | Basketball Knowledge Vault/vol3_high_school_team_basketball.md |
What it is
- A set play is a predetermined sequence of actions with a clear objective: generate a shot for a specific player or players.
How it works
- Every set play has the same components: Initial Formation: Where the four non-ball-handler players are positioned at the start of the play.
- Common formations are numbered: "1" might indicate a high-post formation, "5" might indicate all guards on the perimeter.
- The formation is chosen based on what the play needs to accomplish.
- If the play is a post-up, the formation should isolate the post player.
- If the play is a perimeter action, the formation should space the perimeter.
Bilingual terms
| English | Anatomy of a Set Play |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 固定战术的解剖 |
| Traditional Chinese | 固定戰術剖析 |
Related concepts
Screening Actions in Inbounds Plays
Screens (down screens, back screens, cross screens) are the primary method for creating space in inbounds plays.
SLOB Play Taxonomy
SLOB Play 1 — "Flex": Baseline Cross-Screen with a Down-Screen Continuation The formation is a box with two players at the blocks and two at mid-post.
Pin-Down Into Handoff (Pro)
Mechanics: An Off-Screen Shooter is initially stationed in the corner or wing.
Cross Screen
The Cross Screen is an off-ball screen set horizontally across the lane — from one side of the paint to the other — for a player posting up or cutting to the ball.
Defending Ghost Screens
Communicate early (call "Ghost!" before the action)