1-4 High ‘Sonic’ Has 2 Options

Starting from a 1-4 High, create action on the left side, then attack the right off a ball screen and either hit the roller in the lane or the shooter flaring to the corner.

WHY USE IT
1-4 High plays are tricky to defend in that so much focus is on the perimeter, you are left with high-percentage scoring opportunities near the rim and in the corners if you properly attack the defense. 

SET UP
Place your guards on the outside of the 1-4 High and your forwards at the elbows. The point guard is dribbling on the left side of the set.

HOW TO PLAY
1 starts the action with an entry pass to 4 at the left elbow. 2 pulls his or her defender low, then pops back toward the perimeter as 1 shifts a bit lower after making the pass [diagram 1].

1 screens 2’s defender and 2 moves toward the baseline. 4 pivots to the right and dribbles in that direction and uses a ball screen from 5. 5 begins to roll to the hoop. 3 relocates to the corner [diagram 2].

4 attacks the right side and either has 5 rolling to the hoop in the empty lane or passes to 3 in the corner as the defenders collapse 4’s dribble [diagram 3]. 

TECHNIQUE
With the ball entering on the left, and 1 and 2 moving on that side of the floor, defensive attention is pulled in that direction. Instruct 5 to seal the defender he screens, then he has an open roll through the lane for a possible layup. 3 must space to the corner to force his or her defender into a decision as 4 comes free on the right.

1. Be sure there is a lot of action on the left side to set up a right-side attack

2. 5 sets a hard screen to free 4 but also to create a seal on the screened defender, which allows 5 to roll open through the lane

3. 3 moves to the corner as 4 comes off the ball screen — 3’s defender may collapse to guard 4, which leaves 3 wide open

4. 5 rolls to the hoop with ready hands as he or she should be open on the right side of the rim

5. If 3’s defender stays tight on 3 in the corner, then 4 attacks the rim with the dribble or pulls up for a short jumper