Backdoor Cut

Backdoor Cut

by American Sport Education Program

chapter from Coaching Basketball - Technical and Tactical Skills

The backdoor cut is used when an offensive player overplayed by a defender who is trying to prevent the player from receiving a pass. The backdoor cut takes place when the offensive player makes an initial cut to receive a pass from a teammate, but the defender attempts to prevent this pass or steal the pass by moving into the passing lane. When the offensive player recognizes this, the player plants the top foot and makes the backdoor cut directly to the basket, looking for a pass and an easy score. The backdoor cut is typically used in situations where defenders are playing aggressively and try to steal the pass or when defenders play in the passing lanes and try to deny the pass. The backdoor cut is a great offensive move to keep the defenders from overplaying the offensive players and to keep them from moving into the passing lanes. After several successful backdoor cuts, the defenders will think twice about positioning in the passing lanes and will not want to pressure the pass as much.

WATCH OUT!
The following circumstances may distract your athletes:

1. Focusing on the movements of a weak-side defender who is in good position, rather than on the backdoor cut.
   
2. Facing aggressive help defenders with a size advantage who inhibit the cutter from getting the pass.
   
3. Facing defenders who aggressively guard on the bail, making the backdoor pass difficult.
   
4. Paying more attention to the communication by the defenders and what is being called rather than what is actually happening at that moment.

ACQUIRING THE APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE
To help ensure your team's success in executing the backdoor cut, you and your players must know about the following:

Rules
You and your players need to know several main rules related to executing the backdoor cut:

1. An offensive player who has the ball may not dribble or hold the ball for longer than five seconds when being closely guarded. The player with the ball must be aware of this when waiting for the teammate to make the backdoor cut.
2. When receiving the pass after making the backdoor cut, players should be careful to avoid a traveling violation, especially if the player receives an out-of-control pass or isn't fully prepared for the pass.
3. An offensive player cannot be in the lane for longer than three seconds. The cutter must be aware of this and must work to keep the feet out of the lane, especially when the pass is made from the high-post area.
4. An offensive player cannot run into a defender who is stationary or a charge will be called. When making a backdoor cut, players must be aware of help-side defenders who may be in position to draw the charge.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Opponents
You and your players must account for the opponent's strengths and weaknesses to know how to execute the backdoor cut properly. Consider the following about your opponents:

1. Do the opponent's weak-side defenders sag to the ball on defense? If so, backdoor cuts will rarely be a good option because the defender will be positioned in the way of the cut.
2. Does the opponent defend cuts quickly and effectively? If the defender is good at getting in the passing lanes and is quick to cover the backdoor cuts, the offensive player should fake the backdoor cut and then look to receive the pass after the fake. This fake will get the defender off the cutter and allow the cutter to have an open jump shot.

Self-Knowledge
Besides being aware of your opponent's abilities, you and your players need to know about your own team's strengths and weaknesses. Teach your players to be aware of the following when executing the backdoor cut:

1. 1. Does your team strategy focus on using a passing offense? If your team prefers or can execute a strong passing game where the players move and cut after passes, backdoor cuts can be highly effective.

1. 1. Do you have a good shooter on your team? If the team has a good shooter that teammates often try to get the ball to, the defense may work to deny passes to this player. Backdoor cuts may be an effective way to get this player open.

1. 1. Is your team strong on the perimeter? If the team has three or four players who play well on the perimeter, the defense may be spread out more on the court. As a result, backdoor cuts may be open as the defenders work to overplay passes farther away from the basket.

1. Are your perimeter players quick? If so, these players can use the backdoor cut to get open without the use of a screen because they can beat their defender to the basket.

Decision-Making Guidelines
When deciding how to gain the best advantage when executing the backdoor cut, you and your players should consider the previous information as well as the following guidelines:

1. 1. If the defender has a habit of turning his or her head and watching the passer when a player makes the backdoor cut, the passer must see this and make a quick pass to the cutter. If the defender stays in a closed stance as the player makes the backdoor cut, there is a split second in which the defender cannot see the ball, and the cutter will be open for the pass. If the defender opens up and sees the ball on the backdoor cut, the offensive player can fake the backdoor cut and step back out to receive the pass for the jumper.

1. 1. If the post player has the ball away from the basket (and the player is confident in his or her passing ability), this is a good time to execute the backdoor cut. In this situation, the post player is taking the post defender away from the basket–thus taking the size away from the lane–which opens up the court for the backdoor cut.

1. 1. If the offensive player does not get the ball on the back-door cut, the player must not stop in the lane. The player should keep going and clear the lane so that other options are available, such as the player with the ball driving to the basket.

1. If the defender quickly backs off the cutter, the cutter should come back for a pass and a jump shot.