From the Coach's Clipboard Basketball Playbook
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Basketball Plays Library
A complete collection of basketball plays for all ages and skill levels.
- Man-to-man, zone, and special situation plays
- Out-of-bounds and quick hitters
- Youth, middle school, and high school levels
Quick Jump
Special Play Collections & Resources
4-Out Set
Includes motion-based plays, quick hitters, and set actions commonly used in 4-out systems against man-to-man defense.
Quick Hitters for the 4-Out Offense ("45", "Wing Entry Ball-screen", "Wing Entry - Left", "Gator", "High", "Runner", "Duke", "Curl and Flare Option", "Flex Option", and "Back-Screen Lob Option")
Start these right out of transition into the 4-out motion offense. Big Series ("Big", "15", "Big-Left", "Big-Down", "Big-43", and "Big-Double")
A series of several plays vs man-to-man defense, run out of the 4-out offense. These plays mainly are designed to get your good post players the ball inside. 4-Out High Plays ("Topside" and "Counter", "Flash", "Slip", "Swing", "Fist", and weave-screen plays "W2", "W2-back", "W3", "W4")
For these plays, start with the 4-out motion offense with your post player at the high post. These plays work well against teams that full-front our high post player.
Coach Jay Wright
4-Out Low Plays (Big, Big-15, Big-Left, Big-Down, Big-43, Big-Double, Loyola, Loyola-2, 53, 34, 13 and 24, Black, 52-Curl, 14, and Weave-Screen Plays (W2, W2-back, W3, W4), Purdue, Penn, Florida, Double, and Scissors).
For these plays, start with the 4-out motion offense with your post player at the low post. Loyola ("Loyola" and "Loyola-2")
Great play if you have an O1 who can dribble left and penetrate, or if your O3 is a good outside shooter. Run this vs man-to-man defenses and you can run it out of the 4-out set, the 3-out 2-in set, or a 1-3-1 set. "Loyola-2" gets O4 open for a lay-up. Bo Ryan's Swing offense set plays... eight plays for the swing offense. "Heat"
A play used by coach Steve Fisher at San Diego State University 50-Series ("51", "52", "53", and "54")
A series of several plays that uses your post player as a screener and scorer. Slice Offense Quick Hitters and BLOBs
Several quick hitter and BLOB plays for the (4-out) slice offense.
Start these right out of transition into the 4-out motion offense. Big Series ("Big", "15", "Big-Left", "Big-Down", "Big-43", and "Big-Double")
A series of several plays vs man-to-man defense, run out of the 4-out offense. These plays mainly are designed to get your good post players the ball inside. 4-Out High Plays ("Topside" and "Counter", "Flash", "Slip", "Swing", "Fist", and weave-screen plays "W2", "W2-back", "W3", "W4")
For these plays, start with the 4-out motion offense with your post player at the high post. These plays work well against teams that full-front our high post player.
Coach Jay Wright
For these plays, start with the 4-out motion offense with your post player at the low post. Loyola ("Loyola" and "Loyola-2")
Great play if you have an O1 who can dribble left and penetrate, or if your O3 is a good outside shooter. Run this vs man-to-man defenses and you can run it out of the 4-out set, the 3-out 2-in set, or a 1-3-1 set. "Loyola-2" gets O4 open for a lay-up. Bo Ryan's Swing offense set plays... eight plays for the swing offense. "Heat"
A play used by coach Steve Fisher at San Diego State University 50-Series ("51", "52", "53", and "54")
A series of several plays that uses your post player as a screener and scorer. Slice Offense Quick Hitters and BLOBs
Several quick hitter and BLOB plays for the (4-out) slice offense.
3-Out 2-In Set
Features plays from 3-out sets, including post entries, perimeter actions, and options adaptable to other offensive systems.
Basketball Plays for the 3-2 Motion Offense - (more advanced)
Plays vs man-to-man defense, to run out of the 3-out, 2-in motion offense. Kentucky ("Kentucky-2" and "Kentucky-3")
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense against man-to-man defense. These plays feature several options including 3-point shots for O2 or O3, , a pass to O1 cutting inside, a pass into the post, and a "slip" option. You can run it right or left. 3-2 Hi-Lo Plays (Hi-Lo Motion, "41", "High-2", and "High-3")
Simple post to post motion and plays vs man-to-man defense, run out of the 3-out, 2-in motion offense. These plays are also designed to get your good post players the ball inside, even when the low post is being fronted ("High-2" and "High-3"). Simple 3-2 Motion Plays for Youth Teams ("53", "43", "Double-Curl", "Red", "Blue", and "32-Reverse")
Plays vs man-to-man defense, to run out of the 3-out, 2-in motion offense. Including links to several other 3-2 motion plays. Weave-Screen Plays ("W2", "W3", "Back" option, "W4", and "Weave")
These plays can be run out of any motion offense. You get either a 3-point shot or a shot from the free-throw line for either O2 or O3. Or you may get a lay-up with the "Back" option. Slip Play
A simple screen-the-screener play with a slip option. 32 Option Series ("Option" and "Fist")
Start with a double low-stack, a pass to O2, a hand-off to O1, and a low post ("Fist") option. Michigan
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense against man-to-man defense. Usually a lay-up for O5 or O1. Texas
Also run this out of the 3-out, 2-in offense. This is good play to get O3 (left wing) involved with dribble-penetration and a pick and roll. But you could end up with a big-little inside post advantage. Ohio
A good play to run when O1 is getting a lot of outside pressure. A back-screen and often a lay-up for O4. Tiger
This play starts in the high post, with a back-cut, staggered screens, a hand-off, and a flex-cut. Miami
Also run this out of the 3-out, 2-in offense vs man-to-man or zone defenses. OSU
Run out of the 3-2 set, a good play with several options for O4 and O2. Wisconsin
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense. With this play, you can get a shot for O2 or O4, or a post up inside for O3. Redhawk ("Redhawk-1" and "Redhawk-2")
The "Redhawk" plays feature two double-screens and gets players moving and cutting, each with several options, and shots for O2. MSU
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense. Inside (O5) and outside (O3) options, and an "alley-oop" option to O4.
Plays vs man-to-man defense, to run out of the 3-out, 2-in motion offense. Kentucky ("Kentucky-2" and "Kentucky-3")
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense against man-to-man defense. These plays feature several options including 3-point shots for O2 or O3, , a pass to O1 cutting inside, a pass into the post, and a "slip" option. You can run it right or left. 3-2 Hi-Lo Plays (Hi-Lo Motion, "41", "High-2", and "High-3")
Simple post to post motion and plays vs man-to-man defense, run out of the 3-out, 2-in motion offense. These plays are also designed to get your good post players the ball inside, even when the low post is being fronted ("High-2" and "High-3"). Simple 3-2 Motion Plays for Youth Teams ("53", "43", "Double-Curl", "Red", "Blue", and "32-Reverse")
Plays vs man-to-man defense, to run out of the 3-out, 2-in motion offense. Including links to several other 3-2 motion plays. Weave-Screen Plays ("W2", "W3", "Back" option, "W4", and "Weave")
These plays can be run out of any motion offense. You get either a 3-point shot or a shot from the free-throw line for either O2 or O3. Or you may get a lay-up with the "Back" option. Slip Play
A simple screen-the-screener play with a slip option. 32 Option Series ("Option" and "Fist")
Start with a double low-stack, a pass to O2, a hand-off to O1, and a low post ("Fist") option. Michigan
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense against man-to-man defense. Usually a lay-up for O5 or O1. Texas
Also run this out of the 3-out, 2-in offense. This is good play to get O3 (left wing) involved with dribble-penetration and a pick and roll. But you could end up with a big-little inside post advantage. Ohio
A good play to run when O1 is getting a lot of outside pressure. A back-screen and often a lay-up for O4. Tiger
This play starts in the high post, with a back-cut, staggered screens, a hand-off, and a flex-cut. Miami
Also run this out of the 3-out, 2-in offense vs man-to-man or zone defenses. OSU
Run out of the 3-2 set, a good play with several options for O4 and O2. Wisconsin
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense. With this play, you can get a shot for O2 or O4, or a post up inside for O3. Redhawk ("Redhawk-1" and "Redhawk-2")
The "Redhawk" plays feature two double-screens and gets players moving and cutting, each with several options, and shots for O2. MSU
Run this out of your 3-out, 2-in offense. Inside (O5) and outside (O3) options, and an "alley-oop" option to O4.
1-4 Set Plays
The 1-4 offense tends to "flatten" the defense with empty space under the basket, ideal for back-cuts.
West Coast 1-4 Stack Offense for a very detailed look at the 1-4 offense, including three entries, and 20 set plays.
1-4 Set Plays (Geno Auriemma's "Elbow Series", "Bulldog", "Georgetown", "G-town and Back", "Hoyas", "Hoyas-21", "MSU 14-Gator", "42", "93-Low", "45 Pick and Roll", "41 Pick and Roll", "4-Up", "Lobo", "Aggie", "Illini", "Zip-Loop-Hammer", "Elevator", "Alabama")
1-4 Low Set Plays ("Pinball", "Double-Cross", "Scissors", and "Spurs")
Pick and Roll Plays
Half-court plays built around ball screens, including variations for guards, wings, and post players.
High Pick and Roll Set/Plays - a high pick and roll set that you can run with any man-to-man offense.
Spain Pick and Roll - a high pick and roll with a screen the screener action.
Box Offense Pick and Roll Plays - 6 pick and roll plays starting in a box set.
Note: many 3-out, 4-out, 1-4, horns, MSU plays include pick and roll actions.
Horns Plays
The Horns set features good spacing and clear space under the basket allowing for many options.
Lason Perkins Horns Offense for a very detailed look at the Horns offense with many set plays.
Horns Set Plays ("Bucks", "Loop", "Lynx", "Michigan", "Horns-3", "Horns-5", "Horns-Flare", "Horns Re-screen", "Cross-Screen Hi-Lo", "Suns", "Elevator", "Horns-Flex", "Iverson", "Kansas Horns Flare", "Carolina Horns")
Box-set Plays
The box-set is very adaptable - from this you can run plays, or easily flow into the horns set, the 1-4 high, 1-2-2, or 3-out 2-in sets.
Plays for your Shooters (8 plays)
Post Plays (15 plays)
Pick and Roll Plays (6 plays)
Isolation/Backdoor Plays (6 plays)
Buckeye
A good play starting with a box set, with a number of options, and often a lay-up for O4 or O5.
A good play starting with a box set, with a number of options, and often a lay-up for O4 or O5.
Double Stack Offense/Plays
This set often results in open cutters and defensive mis-matches. You can start with this set and optionally flow right into your usual man-to-man offense.
Double Stack Offense/Plays ("Double-Stack", "Hi-Lo", "Triple", "Bunch-43"/"Bunch-45", "Iso-4, Bob Hurley's Stack Options, Bob Hurley's Stack Options, Double-stack Options vs Zone Defense, and Double-stack Baseline Out-of-Bounds Plays)
Run these plays using the low double stack set. M2M, zone and OB plays are included. Also see "Shocker" Play - from Gregg Marshall.
Run these plays using the low double stack set. M2M, zone and OB plays are included. Also see "Shocker" Play - from Gregg Marshall.
Quick Hitters & Specials
Designed for quick scoring opportunities, including end-of-clock situations, surprise actions, and special situations.
1-Series (plays for your point guard) (Take the seam off the break, "Loyola", "51", "41", and the "Out-Over-Up" series)
Plays designed to get shots for your point guard O1. Including links to many other point guard plays. 2-Series (plays for your shooting guard) ("Kansas", "Jayhawk", "Louisville", "Arizona", "Arizona and Back", "42 and 52", "Illinois", "Virginia", and "Elevator")
A number of plays designed to get shots for your shooting guard O2, including links to many other plays for O2. 90-Series ("91", "91-Slip", "92", "93", "94", and "95")
A series of several plays that you can run against man-to-man or zones. Especially good if you have a good point guard, but O2 and your post players will get shots too. 50-Series ("51", "52", "53", and "54")
A series of several plays that uses your post player as a screener and scorer. 5-Out Quick Hitters
Plays for the 5-out open post offense.
Stockton and Malone pick and roll
3-Point Plays
Several plays designed to get you an open 3-point shot. Included are man-to-man quick hitters, zone plays, sideline and baseline out-of-bounds plays. Michigan State's Sets/Plays
28 of Michigan State's (Coach Tom Izzo) sets and plays, including man-to-man and zone plays, and baseline and sideline out-of-bounds plays.
Coach Tom Izzo
Euro Set Plays/Options
Basketball play options that use the Euro set. BYU Cougars Plays
BYU Cougars offensive actions from Lason Perkins. Dribble-Drive Set Plays
Set plays that you can run with the dribble-drive offense. Princeton Offense Plays
Set plays with multiple options that you can run with the Princeton offense. America's Play
A popular play to use against man-to-man defense that features O2 curling around the staggered double down-screen. Demon
If you've got a guy who can dunk... this is a back-side, alley-oop, high-lob pass and dunk. Blazer
Run this against man-to-man defense. A back-door screen, cut and lay-up for O1.
Plays designed to get shots for your point guard O1. Including links to many other point guard plays. 2-Series (plays for your shooting guard) ("Kansas", "Jayhawk", "Louisville", "Arizona", "Arizona and Back", "42 and 52", "Illinois", "Virginia", and "Elevator")
A number of plays designed to get shots for your shooting guard O2, including links to many other plays for O2. 90-Series ("91", "91-Slip", "92", "93", "94", and "95")
A series of several plays that you can run against man-to-man or zones. Especially good if you have a good point guard, but O2 and your post players will get shots too. 50-Series ("51", "52", "53", and "54")
A series of several plays that uses your post player as a screener and scorer. 5-Out Quick Hitters
Plays for the 5-out open post offense.
Stockton and Malone pick and roll
Several plays designed to get you an open 3-point shot. Included are man-to-man quick hitters, zone plays, sideline and baseline out-of-bounds plays. Michigan State's Sets/Plays
28 of Michigan State's (Coach Tom Izzo) sets and plays, including man-to-man and zone plays, and baseline and sideline out-of-bounds plays.
Coach Tom Izzo
Basketball play options that use the Euro set. BYU Cougars Plays
BYU Cougars offensive actions from Lason Perkins. Dribble-Drive Set Plays
Set plays that you can run with the dribble-drive offense. Princeton Offense Plays
Set plays with multiple options that you can run with the Princeton offense. America's Play
A popular play to use against man-to-man defense that features O2 curling around the staggered double down-screen. Demon
If you've got a guy who can dunk... this is a back-side, alley-oop, high-lob pass and dunk. Blazer
Run this against man-to-man defense. A back-door screen, cut and lay-up for O1.
Zone Offense Plays
Plays and actions designed to attack zone defenses with spacing, ball movement, and inside-out opportunities.
2-3 Zone Offense Plays ("Carolina", "Zone-1X", "Iowa", "21 and 31", "Indiana", "91", "Corners-52", "45 and 54", "UConn", "Chicago", "Miami", "Vermont", "Special", "Special-Down", "West", X-Screen Lob", "UCLA", "UCLA-22", "Raptors", "Hornets", "Wolf", and "Pacers" and 3 "Stack" plays)
Run these plays against the 2-3 zone defense. Kansas Zone Plays
Bill Self's zone plays.
Coach Bill Self
4-Out Zone Offense Plays ("Corners-52", "Stack", "Star", "Weak" & "Wing Flash")
Run these plays against against the 2-3 zone defense. Michigan State Tom Izzo's "Fist-Down" Zone Play
For attacking 2-3 and 3-2 zone defenses. Gap Attack Zone Play
For attacking 2-3 zone defenses. Zone-2 offense and plays ("45 and 54", "Zone-2 Back", "Middle cut", "Back with skip pass", "Flex cut")
Run these plays against any 1-guard zone defense (1-2-2, 1-3-1, 3-2), a tightly packed 2-3 zone defense, or the box and 1 defense. Zone plays for attacking the 1-3-1 zone defense ("4", "45", "22", "24" & "34", "24-Wide" & "34-Wide", and "35")
Run these plays against against the 1-3-1 zone defense.
Run these plays against the 2-3 zone defense. Kansas Zone Plays
Bill Self's zone plays.
Coach Bill Self
Run these plays against against the 2-3 zone defense. Michigan State Tom Izzo's "Fist-Down" Zone Play
For attacking 2-3 and 3-2 zone defenses. Gap Attack Zone Play
For attacking 2-3 zone defenses. Zone-2 offense and plays ("45 and 54", "Zone-2 Back", "Middle cut", "Back with skip pass", "Flex cut")
Run these plays against any 1-guard zone defense (1-2-2, 1-3-1, 3-2), a tightly packed 2-3 zone defense, or the box and 1 defense. Zone plays for attacking the 1-3-1 zone defense ("4", "45", "22", "24" & "34", "24-Wide" & "34-Wide", and "35")
Run these plays against against the 1-3-1 zone defense.
Last-Second Buzzer-Beaters
A buzzer-beater play may win a close game. Several full-court and half-court plays are included in the links below.
Full-Court Buzzer Beaters ("Maryland", "Split", "Hail Mary" and "Duke")
Only a few seconds left, and you have to go the full length of the court.
Half-Court Buzzer-Beaters ("Warrior-1", Warrior-2" "DePaul", "Chicago", "Pairs", "Stack", "Stack-2","Line-1", "Fran", and "Pistons".)
Seconds left and you are inbounding the ball at half-court. Last Second Situations by Coach Joao Costa
More last second half-court and full-court baseline and sideline plays.
Seconds left and you are inbounding the ball at half-court. Last Second Situations by Coach Joao Costa
More last second half-court and full-court baseline and sideline plays.
Out-of-Bounds Plays
Baseline and sideline inbound plays (BLOB/SLOB) for scoring opportunities in dead-ball situations. Have a couple man and zone plays, and a sideline play.
Baseline OB Plays vs 2-3 Zone ("Splitter", "23 Stack", "23 Box", "Indiana", "Middle", "Offset", "Missouri", "Kansas-1", "Kansas-2", "Iowa")
Several baseline inbounds plays that you can run against the 2-3 zone defense. Baseline Stack Plays (Stack 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Stack-Opposite, Stack-6, and Stack Rub)
Stack (or line) inbounds plays vs man-to-man are presented. Baseline Box Plays ("Box-Gator", "Box-1", "Box-2", "Box-3", "Box-54", "Box-Wide". "Box-Wide 2", and "Box-Around")
"Box" formation inbounds plays to run against man-to-man defense. Baseline 4-Low Plays ("MSU Clear", "Flat", "4-Down", "Wildcat", "Bearcat", "Blue", "40-3", 40-2", and "Flat-2")
Run these inbounds plays against man-to-man defense, using a 4-across low-stack. Miscellaneous Baseline Plays ("Wheel", "Wheel and Back", "3-Down", "Down and Back", "Pinball", "3-Across", "Gator", "Hokie", "Cross", "Utah", "Tap Head Series", "Baylor, "Dallas", and "13").
Several other good baseline out-of-bounds plays. Sideline Plays ("Triangle", "Box-1", "Box-2", "Circle", "Pairs", "Stack", "Kansas", "Line-1", "Line-2", "35", "Runner", "Side-Low", "Side-Box", and "Celtics")
Pick one or two of these sideline plays.
Several baseline inbounds plays that you can run against the 2-3 zone defense. Baseline Stack Plays (Stack 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Stack-Opposite, Stack-6, and Stack Rub)
Stack (or line) inbounds plays vs man-to-man are presented. Baseline Box Plays ("Box-Gator", "Box-1", "Box-2", "Box-3", "Box-54", "Box-Wide". "Box-Wide 2", and "Box-Around")
"Box" formation inbounds plays to run against man-to-man defense. Baseline 4-Low Plays ("MSU Clear", "Flat", "4-Down", "Wildcat", "Bearcat", "Blue", "40-3", 40-2", and "Flat-2")
Run these inbounds plays against man-to-man defense, using a 4-across low-stack. Miscellaneous Baseline Plays ("Wheel", "Wheel and Back", "3-Down", "Down and Back", "Pinball", "3-Across", "Gator", "Hokie", "Cross", "Utah", "Tap Head Series", "Baylor, "Dallas", and "13").
Several other good baseline out-of-bounds plays. Sideline Plays ("Triangle", "Box-1", "Box-2", "Circle", "Pairs", "Stack", "Kansas", "Line-1", "Line-2", "35", "Runner", "Side-Low", "Side-Box", and "Celtics")
Pick one or two of these sideline plays.
Special Actions
Three special popular actions - floppy screens, ghost screens and pistol actions - for getting good shots.
Floppy Screen and Plays
- a baseline screen(s) to get your best shooter(s) open. Ghost Screens and Actions
- often opens a driving lane or creates an open shot for the screener. Pistol actions
- early offense action between the point guard and a wing player. 1-3-1 Offense Plays ("Motion-1", "Motion-3", "Motion-3", and "Baseline-3")
Run these plays using the 1-3-1 set offense. Good for youth teams.
- a baseline screen(s) to get your best shooter(s) open. Ghost Screens and Actions
- often opens a driving lane or creates an open shot for the screener. Pistol actions
- early offense action between the point guard and a wing player. 1-3-1 Offense Plays ("Motion-1", "Motion-3", "Motion-3", and "Baseline-3")
Run these plays using the 1-3-1 set offense. Good for youth teams.
Miscellaneous Plays
Tip-Off Play
If you can get the opening tip, run this for a quick score. 3-on-3 Plays
Simple plays for your 3-man team (Macker), as well as actions that coaches can incorporate in any motion offense.
If you can get the opening tip, run this for a quick score. 3-on-3 Plays
Simple plays for your 3-man team (Macker), as well as actions that coaches can incorporate in any motion offense.
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