Baseline inboundsBeginner

Flat

Baseline out of bounds. Four flat across the baseline. The block screens out for the corner, who curls to the rim.

Best for: A simple baseline play for any team. One screen, a layup look, and the top player is always a safe pass.

Needs: any team can run it. Gets you: a layup, the ball in safely.

Against: man‑to‑man
Formation: 1-4 low
Steps: 4 steps · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Far corner (safety)
2Ball-side corner (cutter)
3Inbounder
4Ball-side block (screener)
5Far block

Run it yourself

Pick a spot and make the reads.

The court plays out each step when you choose right. Switch spots to learn every job in Flat.

You are 3, Inbounder

Your spot

Step 1 · Screen out, curl in

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Flat" on a baseline inbounds. 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left side of the basket.

What do you do?

Pick the read you would make. The play runs when you get it right.

Study every step

What the defence shows at each step, how everyone moves, and the right read for all five spots.

cut pass screen dribble shotNumbers show the order.

Step 1

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Flat" on a baseline inbounds. 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left side of the basket.

1Sprint to the top as the safety.You are the safe pass if nothing opens inside. You also take x1 out of the lane.
2Wait for 4's screen, then curl over the top of it to the rim.Let 4 get to x2 first. Then run off their shoulder to the basket.
3Slap the ball, then read 2 at the rim, then 4, then 1.The slap starts the play. First look is 2 curling to the rim.
4Step out and screen x2.Get your body on x2 and stay still. You free 2 for the layup.
5Run up to the right elbow.You pull x5 out of the lane, so the rim is empty for 2.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: 2 is open at the rim (40%), Read: they switch (40%), Read: everyone is covered (20%).

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after Screen out, curl in · 40%

x2 got caught on 4's screen. x4 stayed with 4. 2 is open in front of the rim.

1Stay at the top as the safety.Someone has to be back. That is you.
2Show your hands, catch and score.Two hands, chin the ball, go straight up.
3Bounce pass to 2 at the rim.First look is open. A bounce pass gets under x3's arms.
4Hold the screen, then go to the rebound.Keep x2 stuck until the pass is in, then crash in case 2 misses.
5Stay at the elbow, then crash for the rebound.Keep x5 high until the pass is in. Then go get the miss.

Layup for 2 off 4's screen.

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after Screen out, curl in · 40%

x4 jumped out to take 2 at the rim. x2 is stuck behind 4, on the corner side.

1Stay at the top as the safety.Someone has to be back if the shot misses.
2Stay at the rim and keep x4 busy.x4 left 4 to guard you. Hold them there so 4 is open.
3Pass to 4 as they roll to the block.They switched. x2 is behind 4, so 4 is open and close to you.
4Keep x2 on your back and roll to the block.Your defender left. x2 is behind you, so step to the ball and score.
5Stay at the elbow, then crash for the rebound.Keep x5 high so they cannot help on 4.

Short shot for 4 at the block after the switch.

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after Screen out, curl in · 20%

x2 fought over the screen and is with 2. x4 stayed with 4. Nothing is open low.

1Come back to the ball and catch it.You are the safety. Meet the pass so x1 cannot jump in front.
2Clear out to the right corner.The ball is going out. Open the lane and take x2 with you.
3Pass it out to 1, the safety.Nothing low. Get it in safely before five seconds.
4Go back to the left block and get ready to post.The ball is coming in to 1. Set up for the offence.
5Hold the right elbow.You keep the middle open for 1 to catch, and you are the next pass.