Pinch

Coach calls "Pinch". 1 has the ball in the left slot. x3 is up in the passing lane, denying 3 on the left wing.

• 1Wait for 5 to flash, then pass to them at the left elbow.x3 is denying the wing. The elbow pass is open and safe.
• 2Stay in the right slot.Keep x2 on your side. You are the safety.
• 3Step out high and call for the ball.Pull x3 up and out. The higher they play, the more room there is behind them.
• 4Stay wide on the right wing.Keep x4 far from the rim. The backdoor needs the lane empty.
• 5Flash to the left elbow with a hand up.You are the pinch post. The play runs through you.

Next: The backdoor cut

5 has the ball at the left elbow. x3 is still up high, denying 3.

• 1Hold the left slot for one count.Let 3 cut first. Your cut off 5 comes next.
• 2Stay in the right slot.You are the safety, and x2 stays out of the lane.
• 3Plant your outside foot and cut backdoor to the rim.x3 is playing high. Go behind them with a hand up.
• 4Stay wide on the right wing.Keep x4 away from the rim.
• 5Catch, turn to face the left wing and watch 3 cut.Be ready to bounce the pass to 3 if x3 is beaten.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Read: x3 is beaten (50%), Read: x3 stays with them (50%).

3 is cutting to the rim. x3 is a step behind, and nobody is helping.

• 1Stay in the left slot.The pass is going to 3. Keep x1 out of it.
• 2Stay back as the safety.Always one back.
• 3Show a hand and finish at the rim.You beat x3. Catch and go straight up.
• 4Stay wide on the right wing.If x4 drops to the rim, you are open.
• 5Bounce pass to 3 at the rim.x3 is behind. Lead 3 to the basket.

Backdoor layup for 3.

x3 dropped back and stayed with 3 on the cut. The backdoor is covered.

• 1Set up x1, then cut off the outside shoulder of 5.Run x1 into 5. You get the handoff going to the rim.
• 2Slide to the top as the safety.Someone has to be back when 1 cuts.
• 3Clear out to the right corner.Take x3 with you and empty the left side for 1 and 5.
• 4Stay on the right wing.3 is taking the corner. Hold the wing and keep x4 with you.
• 5Hold the ball strong at the elbow and wait for 1.Keep it under your chin. 1 is cutting off you for the handoff.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Finish: x1 trails (67%), Finish: x5 jumps out (33%).

1 is at the shoulder of 5. x1 is caught behind, and x5 stays behind 5.

• 1Take the handoff and drive to the rim.x1 is behind you. Go straight to the basket.
• 2Stay at the top as the safety.Always one back.
• 3Stay in the right corner.If x3 helps on the drive, you are open for the shot.
• 4Stay on the right wing.Keep x4 away from the rim.
• 5Hand the ball to 1.x1 is behind and x5 did not step out. 1 has a lane.

Layup for 1 off the handoff.

1 is at the shoulder of 5. x5 steps out to stop the handoff, so nobody is between 5 and the rim.

• 1Keep cutting through to the left corner.Take x1 and x5 with you. That opens the lane for 5.
• 2Stay at the top as the safety.Always one back.
• 3Stay in the right corner.If x3 helps on the drive, you are open for the shot.
• 4Stay on the right wing.Keep x4 away from the rim.
• 5Fake the handoff, face up and drive to the rim.x5 left you to stop 1. The lane is open.

Layup for 5 on the face-up drive.