Press breakBeginnerFull court

Line Break

Press break vs man denial. Four in a line at the free-throw line break four ways on the slap, so someone is always open.

Best for: Teams that can't get the ball in against man-to-man denial: four cuts at once, so one is always open.

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

Run it yourself Study every step

Against: man‑to‑man press
Formation: line
Steps: 5 steps · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Line, breaks to the ball left
2Line, breaks to the ball right
3Line, breaks long
4Inbounder, then safety
5Line, breaks to the middle

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 Line Break.

You are 4, Inbounder, then safety

Your spot

Step 1 · Break the line

They are pressing man-to-man and denying every pass. Coach calls "Line Break". 4 has the ball out of bounds. The other four are in a line across the free-throw line. This time it goes to the right side.

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

Break the line

They are pressing man-to-man and denying every pass. Coach calls "Line Break". 4 has the ball out of bounds. The other four are in a line across the free-throw line.

1On the slap, break hard to the ball on the left side.Go full speed on the slap. Your defender has to guess which way you go, and they are a step late.
2On the slap, break hard to the ball on the right side.You give 4 a second short pass, on the other side from 1.
3On the slap, break long up the right side.You pull your defender away from the ball. If they fall asleep, you are open for the long pass.
4Slap the ball to start the break, then find the open player.You have five seconds. Four players go four ways, so one of them is open. Find them.
5On the slap, step to the middle, straight at the ball, hands up.If both sides are denied, you are the pass in the middle. Be big and show a target.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: 1 is open (50%), Read: both sides are denied (33%), Read: 3 is open long (17%).

Step 2

Read: 1 is open

1 of 3 looks after Break the line · 50%

1 beat their defender to the left side. Their defender is a step behind them. 2 and 5 are both denied.

1Come to meet the pass, catch with two hands and face up the floor.Meet the ball so nobody steps in front of you. Then turn and see the floor before you do anything.
2Run up the right side, wide.The ball is in. Now get up the floor and take your defender with you.
3Keep going deep, over half court on the right.Stretch the press. Your defender has to stay with you, far from the ball.
4Pass to 1, then step in behind them as the safety.Hit the open player, then stay behind the ball in case they get in trouble.
5Turn and go up the middle, past the free-throw line, then show your hands.You were denied, so move. Be the next pass, in the middle and ahead of the ball.

Next: Up the floor: pass and cut

Step 3

Up the floor: pass and cut

1 has the ball on the left, facing up. Their defender is up close on the sideline side. 5 is open in the middle, ahead of the ball.

1Pass to 5 in the middle, then sprint past your defender for the pass back.When you pass, your defender turns to look at the ball. Run by them and get it back on the move.
2Keep running wide up the right side.You keep your defender far from the ball, and you are open ahead if they leave you.
3Stay deep and wide on the right.You hold your defender past half court, so the middle stays open for 1.
4Trail the play as the safety.Stay behind the ball. If 1 or 5 gets stuck, you are the pass back.
5Catch, then give it back to 1 as they run past you.They are open the moment they get by their defender. Lead them with the pass.

Press beaten. 1 gets it back on the run and takes it over half court with the floor spread.

Step 2

Read: both sides are denied

1 of 3 looks after Break the line · 33%

The defenders on 1 and 2 are between them and the ball. x4 is leaning toward 1. 5 is open in the middle with their defender behind them.

1When 5 catches, turn and sprint up the left sideline.Your defender is between you and the ball. That puts them behind you the moment you run.
2When 5 catches, turn and sprint up the right sideline.Your defender is on the wrong side of you now. Run and you are ahead of them.
3Keep going deep, over half court on the right.Take your defender away. 1 and 2 need the room to run into.
4Pass to 5 in the middle, then step in as the safety.1 and 2 are covered. Do not force it. The middle is open.
5Catch, pivot to face up the floor and pass ahead to 1.Turn first. 1 is running free up the left side, ahead of their defender.

Press beaten. 5 turns in the middle and hits 1 on the run up the left side.

Step 2

Read: 3 is open long

1 of 3 looks after Break the line · 17%

1, 2 and 5 are all denied. The defender on 3 was watching the ball, and 3 is a step past them with nobody deep.

1Keep working to get open, then run up the floor when the ball goes long.If 4 can't throw it long, they still need you. Once it is gone, get up the floor.
2Keep working to get open, then run up the right side.You are still a pass for 4 until they throw it. Then follow the ball.
3Keep running, look back for the ball and catch it on the move.You are past your defender. Do not slow down, and see the ball all the way into your hands.
4Throw the long pass to 3, firm and out in front of them.Everyone short is covered and 3 is past their defender. Lead them so they catch it running.
5Stay big in the middle, then run up the floor behind the ball.You are the short pass until 4 throws it. Then go up the middle to help 3.