Pin-Down Into Handoff

What it is

• Setup: Off-Screen Shooter uses pin-down screen from big.

How it works

• Core Action: Off-Screen Shooter starts in low post area
• Core Action: Big positions up toward the elbow/lane line and sets the pin-down screen (screens from above, freeing the shooter to come up off the screen)
• Core Action: Shooter comes off screen toward wing
• Core Action: Secondary handler (usually Primary or Secondary Ball Handler) meets shooter with handoff
• Core Action: Shooter now has ball in space after two screens (pin-down + handoff)

Reads and counters

• Shooter reads the pin-down: if the defender trails over the screen, curl tight to the handoff and turn the corner downhill.
• If the defender top-locks or jumps above to deny the catch, the shooter back-cuts or fades, and the screener seals for a duck-in.
• Coming off the handoff, the shooter reads the big's defender: if it stays in drop, rise into the pull-up; if it hedges, attack the open short pocket.
• If both defenders lock onto the shooter at the handoff, the big slips and dives to the rim as the second option.
• The handoff passer reads pressure: hard hedge or trap means keep the ball and hit the diving big or the weak-side spacer in a 4-on-3.

Teaching cues

• Set it up low, then sprint to the screen
• Shoulder to shoulder on the handoff
• Read the top-lock, back-cut it
• Slip and dive if they switch
• Turn the corner, get downhill

Bilingual terms

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