Delay

We are up four with one minute to go. Coach calls "Delay". 1 has the ball in the middle and x1 is pressuring them.

• 1Keep your dribble alive and move toward the high right corner.A live dribble is hard to trap. Go toward 3 so the pass is short.
• 2Stay wide in the high left corner.You keep x2 far from the ball, and you are a safe outlet.
• 3Stay wide in the high right corner and show your hands.1 is coming your way. Be ready for the pass.
• 4Stay wide in the low left corner.You keep x4 out of the lane, so the basket is open for a backdoor cut.
• 5Stay wide in the low right corner.You keep x5 away from the basket. That is where the layup comes from.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Read: x3 overplays (33%), Pass and cut away (67%).

x3 jumps into the passing lane to steal the pass to 3. Nobody is behind them.

• 1Wait for the cut, then pass to 3 going to the basket.x3 is in front of 3, so the space behind them is open. Lead 3 to the rim.
• 2Stay wide in the high left corner.You are the safety, and x2 stays out of the lane.
• 3Cut backdoor to the basket.x3 is overplaying. Take one step out, then cut hard behind them.
• 4Stay wide in the low left corner.You keep x4 away from the rim, so nobody can stop 3.
• 5Stay wide in the low right corner.You keep x5 off the rim. If they leave to stop 3, you are open.

Backdoor layup for 3. The lead grows.

x3 is playing behind 3, so the pass is safe. x1 is still all over 1.

• 1Pass to 3, then cut away to the left side.You take x1 away from the ball, so they can't trap 3.
• 2Stay wide in the high left corner.1 is cutting your way. Keep your spacing and stay ready.
• 3Step toward the pass and catch it with two hands.Meet the ball, so x3 can't step in front for the steal.
• 4Stay wide in the low left corner.You keep x4 out of the lane and away from the middle.
• 5Stay wide in the low right corner with your hands ready.If a trap comes on 3, you are a pass down the sideline.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Read: the trap (33%), Read: nothing there (67%).

x1 does not follow 1. They run at 3 to trap them with x3. Now 1 is open.

• 1Come back toward the ball and show your hands.Two defenders are on 3, so you are open. Give 3 a short, easy pass.
• 2Stay wide in the high left corner, ready for the next pass.If x2 runs at 1, you are the open one.
• 3Stay calm and pass to 1 before the trap closes.Two on you means somebody is open. It is 1.
• 4Stay wide in the low left corner.You keep x4 out of the middle, where 1 is about to catch.
• 5Stay in the low right corner with your hands up.You are the second way out of the trap, down the sideline.

The trap is beaten. 1 has the ball back in the middle and the clock keeps running.

x1 follows 1 and x3 stays in front of 3. No layup and no trap. Keep the ball moving.

• 1Come back to the ball and get it back.You are the best ball handler. The ball is safest in your hands.
• 2Stay wide in the high left corner.You are the next safe pass if x1 pressures 1 again.
• 3Pass back to 1 and stay wide.No layup, so move the ball before a trap comes.
• 4Stay wide in the low left corner.You keep x4 out of the lane. Be patient.
• 5Stay wide in the low right corner.You keep x5 out of the lane. Be patient.

No layup, no turnover. The ball is back with 1 and the clock keeps running.