Thanks to our friends at Breakthrough Basketball, we are pleased to share a play from Coach K’s playbook. It illustrates post isolation against a man-to-man defense. The play is pretty simple and is designed to get your best low-post scorer isolated on the low block with a possible mismatch.
Comments welcome…
Duke Basketball: Post Isolation Against Man-to-Man
– By Daniel Benjamin
Summary:
This play is pretty simple and is designed to get your best low-post scorer isolated on the low block with a possible mismatch.
Personnel:
Player 5 needs to have the ability to score with his back to the basket as well as be able to set solid screens and possess some agility. Players 1 and 2 should be able to handle the ball well and be good passers. Player 4 should be able to make a post entry pass.
Instructions:
Step 1:
Four players start on the perimeter with player 1 in possession of the ball.
Player 5, who the play is run for, is positioned on the strong side low-block.
Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 and cuts to opposite corner.
Step 2:
After player 1 cuts to opposite corner, player 5 goes to set a back screen for player 4, who cuts to the ball-side block.
Player 5 then goes to set a ball-screen for player 2.
Step 3:
Player 5 sets a ball screen for player 2 and then rolls to the basket.
As player 5 is setting a ball-screen for player 2, player 4 cuts out to the near corner.
Player 2 dribbles towards the top of the key.
Step 4:
Player 2 passes the ball to player 4 in the corner.
In the meanwhile, player 5 is working to keep his defender under control (i.e. behind him).
Step 5: Player 4 passes to player 5, who looks to score.
Additional Comments:
Duke has used this play time and time again to get all three Plumlee brothers an easy look.
The play can be run both sides; just have to adjust personnel.
Do not start the play in the middle of the floor.
While the play is designed for player 5 to receive the ball on the low-block, do not be afraid to get the ball to player 4 or player 5 on their basket cuts.
A good way to get a defender under control is to go towards the basket. Then get your head and shoulder past the defender by using a front pivot and step through. After securing proper position, sit down in your stance.
Note: In step 4, if player 4 is not open, player 2 can enter the pass to player 5.
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