Guard-Oriented Attack

Guard-Oriented Attack

By: Lee Rose

Originally Published in: Winning Basketball Fundamentals - Human Kinetics

Setup

This set begins in a balanced format with the two guards (01 and 02) above the three-point line approximately 20 feet (6 m) apart. Two forwards (03 and 04) should set up at the free-throw line extended and about 3 feet (1 m) inside the sideline. The center (05) should be at the high post a couple of feet (a meter or so) above the free-throw line. The objective of this set is for one of the guards to get a good shot, dribble-drive attack, pick-and-roll, draw-and-kick, or pass to a forward on a post-up.

Procedure

1. The guard with the ball (01) passes to the strong-side forward (03), steps away to the middle, and, when even with the defender, pivots hard off the left foot, making a strong inside shoulder V-cut to the basket. (If 01 is on the left side of the floor, he plants the right foot and makes the inside shoulder V-cut to the basket.)

2. If 01 is open, 03 makes an inside return pass for a layup or a personal foul (figure 5.1). If 01 is not open, he stops at the ball-side block.

3. On the initial pass, the opposite guard (02) dives straight to the weak-side block.

4. Next, the forward with the ball, 03, looks guard 01 through (watches 01 as 01 cuts to the basket) as the center, 05, fakes a basket cut, reverse pivots, and sprints to the top of the key.

5. 05, now at top of key in the middle of the court, receives a pass from 03.

6. Following 03's pass, immediate down screens are set on both sides for the guards, 01 and 02, coming off the blocks (figure 5.2). Guards must let the down screeners, 03 and 04, come to complete, legal stops before working off their screens. This action permits the guards to work off the proper angle.

7. If a medium jump shot is the goal, the screens will be set deep, but if the screens are for a three-point field goal, the screens will be set farther out on the court. The shot will be determined by the players' skill, the coach's desire, and the team's ability to execute.

8. 05 has the option to dribble handoff or pass to either guard 01 or 02 (figure 5.3) and then screen away or run a pick-and-roll.

9. The pick-and-roll can be set for both middle and baseline drives. If the screen is sideline for a middle drive, 05 pops to the corner. If the screen is on the baseline side, the center pops toward the free-throw line on the same side of the court.

Multiple Screens

In this setup, the guards, 01 and 02, are on opposite blocks, and either a call or a read can produce a cross screen in preparation for the down screens by the forwards (wing players).

1. If the cross screen is called, the ball-side guard, 01, takes two steps into the free-throw lane and sets the screen. The opposite guard, 02, works off the cross screen first and then the down screen by forward 03. The point guard, 01, who initiated the play, sets the screen and then works off 04's down screen (figure 5.4).

2. Forwards who screened down, 03 and 04, now have the option to post up or screen across and post up. 02, who now has the ball from a pass by the center, 05, looks for the shot, drive, or post feed.

In this particular set, other options are also possible, including a dribble drive to create a foul and baseline screens for medium and three-point shots.

Advantages of the Guard-Oriented Attack

This guard-oriented offense is a great set for creative guards and does not depend on any one skill. Flexibility is built in for three-point shots, catch-and-shoot short jumpers, the dribble-drive attack, pick-and-rolls, and a two-player game with the post-up forward (wing player). Coaches can run this set knowing that the ball handling, shooting, and decision making will ultimately be in the hands of the guards.