
Zip Past Defenses With ‘Road Runner’
Flood one side of the floor, then seal the other side to set up a dribble drive for an attacking layup or a kick-out pass for a 3-pointer against a 2-3 zone. MORE
Rather than simply being content with controlling the tap in the backcourt, run this play to screen an unsuspecting defender and create a layup opportunity at the hoop.
WHY USE IT
Most opening-tip plays immediately push the action forward, such as what is shown on the previous page. This set does the exact opposite by tipping the ball backward, then running your deepest player toward the ball to set a screen before releasing the tipper to the hoop. No one sees it coming.
SET UP
1 is deep again in this opening-tip set. This time, however, 2 and 3 are positioned much tighter to the center circle. 4 is positioned slightly ahead in the frontcourt.
HOW TO PLAY
5 tips the ball backward to 1 to get the actions started [diagram 1].
Typically, 1’s defender naturally comes to at least half-court to pick up 1 in anticipation of 1 dribbling. 4 moves into the circle and picks off 5, which allows your 5 to sprint hard to the basket down an open lane with no defenders deep to defend [diagram 2].
1 passes over the top to 5 for the uncontested layup [diagram 3].
TECHNIQUE
1 wants to get this pass thrown before 1’s defender gets too close, which makes it more difficult to throw the over-the-top pass. Most defenses aren’t expecting the player who initially tipped the ball to get it back, so once 4 sets the screen on 5, there is no one helping on your 5, which allows him or her to run free toward the hoop.