Motion offenceIntermediate

4-Out

Four out, one in. Wing entry, the post seals ball side, the guards cut and replace. Read the post defence: post up, inside-out or high-low.

Best for: A team with one real post and four players who can pass and shoot. The post touch opens everything.

Needs: a post who can score. Gets you: a post-up, a three.

Run it yourself Study every step

Against: man‑to‑man, 2‑3 zone
Formation: 4-out 1-in
Steps: 8 steps vs man‑to‑man, 6 vs 2‑3 zone · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Point guard (left slot)
2Right slot
3Left wing
4Right wing
5Post

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 4-Out.

You are 1, Point guard (left slot)

Your spot

Defence

Step 1 · Wing entry

Coach calls "4-Out". 1 has the ball at the left slot. 5 is on the right block.

What do you do?

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

Study every step

The whole play, laid out.

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

Wing entry

Coach calls "4-Out". 1 has the ball at the left slot. 5 is on the right block.

1Pass to 3 on the left wing.The wing entry starts the offence and gives 5 a side to post up on.
2Hold the right slot.Stay level with 1. You are the next pass if the ball comes back.
3V-cut and catch on the left wing.Take x3 low, then pop back out to the wing for the catch.
4Stay wide on the right wing.Hold your spot and keep x4 away from the post.
5Cross the lane to the left block and seal.Go to the ball side. Get x5 on your back and show a target.

Next: Cut and replace

Step 2

Cut and replace

3 has the ball on the left wing. 5 is posting up on the left block. x1 jumped to the ball, so 1 cuts through and everyone moves up one spot.

1Cut through the lane and fill the right wing.Pass and cut. Clear out so the left side is open for the post.
2Slide over to the left slot.1 left the slot. Fill it so 3 has a pass back out.
3Hold the ball, face up and look inside.Give the cut a moment to clear. The post entry is coming.
4Lift to the right slot.2 is moving over. Fill the right slot, and 1 takes your wing.
5Hold your seal on the left block.Keep x5 on your back while 1 runs through.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Read: x5 plays behind (67%), Read: 5 is fronted (33%).

Step 3

Read: x5 plays behind

1 of 2 looks after Cut and replace · 67%

3 has the ball on the left wing. x5 is playing behind 5 on the left block.

1Stay wide on the right wing.Keep x1 out of the lane so they can't help on 5.
2Stay at the left slot as the outlet.If 5 is doubled, they can pass back out to you.
3Pass into 5, then slide to the left corner.Post entry, then move so x3 can't sit on 5 without leaving you open.
4Stay at the right slot as the safety.Someone has to be back. That is you.
5Seal x5 and show a target.They are behind you. Wide base, hand up, call for it.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Finish: one on one (67%), Finish: x3 digs (33%).

Step 4

Finish: one on one

1 of 2 looks after Read: x5 plays behind · 67%

5 has the ball on the left block. x5 is on their back and nobody comes to help.

1Hold the right wing, then crash.Stay wide until they shoot, then go get the miss.
2Stay at the left slot.Hold your spot as the outlet.
3Stay in the left corner.If x3 drops in, you are open for the kick-out.
4Stay at the right slot as the safety.Always one back.
5Drop step to the middle and score.x5 is on your back with no help. Go strong to the rim.

Bucket! 5 scores on the drop step.

Step 4

Finish: x3 digs

1 of 2 looks after Read: x5 plays behind · 33%

5 has the ball on the left block. x3 leaves 3 in the corner to dig at 5.

1Stay wide on the right wing.Keep x1 honest so they can't rotate.
2Stay at the left slot.You are the next outlet if x2 rotates down.
3Show your hands in the corner, ready to shoot.Your defender left. Catch and shoot.
4Stay at the right slot as the safety.Always one back.
5Kick it out to 3 in the corner.x3 left them to dig. Inside-out for the open three.

Inside-out three for 3 in the corner.

Step 3

Read: 5 is fronted

1 of 2 looks after Cut and replace · 33%

3 has the ball on the left wing. x5 is in front of 5, between them and the ball.

1Stay wide on the right wing.If x1 drops in behind 5, you are open. Stay wide.
2Step up and catch at the left slot.Get the ball high. From up top, the pass goes over x5.
3Pass up to 2 at the slot.x5 is in front. Move the ball high so 5 can seal them.
4Stay at the right slot.You are the next pass if the lob is not there.
5Hold x5 on your back as the ball goes up top.They are on the high side. When the ball goes up, the rim is behind you.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Finish: high-low (67%), Finish: x1 drops to help (33%).

Step 4

Finish: high-low

1 of 2 looks after Read: 5 is fronted · 67%

2 has the ball at the left slot. x5 is still above 5, and 5 has them sealed.

1Stay wide on the right wing.Keep x1 away from the rim.
2Throw it over the top to 5.x5 is on the high side and nobody is behind 5. Drop it in to the rim side.
3Stay on the left wing.You are the outlet if 2 needs to pass back.
4Stay at the right slot as the safety.Always one back.
5Hold the seal and step to the rim for the catch.Keep x5 on your back, catch it high and finish.

High-low layup for 5.

Step 4

Finish: x1 drops to help

1 of 2 looks after Read: 5 is fronted · 33%

2 has the ball at the left slot. x1 leaves 1 on the right wing and drops in behind 5 to stop the lob.

1Show your hands on the right wing, ready to shoot.Your defender left to help. The ball is coming to you.
2Swing it to 4 at the right slot.The lob is covered. Move it away from the help.
3Stay on the left wing.Hold your spot. You keep x3 out of the lane.
4Catch and swing it on to 1.One more pass. 1 is open on the right wing.
5Hold your seal and get ready to rebound.You keep two defenders busy. Be ready for a miss.