Sideline inboundsBeginner

Sideline Stack

Sideline out of bounds. A stack by the inbounder breaks to the rim, the corner and the ball. Get it in safely, take the shot if it is there.

Best for: A simple way to get the ball in against pressure, with a quick shot if the defence sleeps.

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

Against: man‑to‑man
Formation: stack
Steps: 4 steps · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Top of the stack (safety)
2Third in the stack (corner)
3Inbounder
4Second in the stack (comes to the ball)
5Bottom of the stack (rim)

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 Sideline Stack.

You are 3, Inbounder

Your spot

Step 1 · The stack breaks

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Sideline Stack". 3 has the ball out of bounds on the right sideline.

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 "Sideline Stack". 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left sideline.

1Wait a count, then sprint to the top as the safety.Let the bottom two go first. Then get deep so 3 has a last pass.
2Sprint to the left corner, ready to shoot.Go on the slap. The defenders get tangled in the stack, so the corner opens up.
3Slap the ball, then read 5, then 2, then 4.Look for the quick shot first. 4 coming back is the safe pass.
4Wait a count, then come back to the ball.Let 5 and 2 clear first. Then come meet the pass. You are the safe entry.
5Sprint to the rim on the slap.You are the first look. Explode on the slap before x5 can get around the stack.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: 5 is open at the rim (20%), Read: 2 is open in the corner (40%), Read: rim and corner covered (40%).

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The stack breaks · 20%

x5 got caught in the stack. 5 is open going to the rim.

1Stay at the top as the safety.Someone has to be back.
2Stay in the corner, ready to shoot.Keep x2 wide so they can't help on 5.
3Throw it over the top to 5 at the rim.x5 is behind them. Lead them to the front of the rim.
4Stay close as the outlet.If the pass to 5 is not there late, you are still the safe pass.
5Show your hands, catch and score.Catch it high and finish at the rim.

Layup for 5 off the stack.

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The stack breaks · 40%

x2 got caught in the stack. 2 is open in the left corner.

1Stay at the top as the safety.Someone has to be back if the shot misses.
2Show your hands and shoot it from the corner.Your defender is stuck in the stack. Catch and shoot.
3Pass down the sideline to 2 in the corner.x2 is caught in the stack. The corner is open.
4Stay close as the outlet.If the corner pass is late, you are still the safe pass.
5Seal x5 and get ready for the rebound.Inside position wins the board if the shot misses.

Open shot for 2 in the corner.

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The stack breaks · 40%

x5 is with 5 and x2 got through the stack to 2. 4 is coming back to the ball.

1Stay at the top as the safety.If 4 is denied, you are the last pass. Stay deep.
2Stay in the corner.Keep x2 wide so 4 has room to catch.
3Pass to 4, then step in.Get it in safely before five seconds. Then step in as an outlet.
4Come meet the pass with your hands up.Catch it moving to the ball so x4 can't jump in front.
5Post up on the block.The ball is coming in. Set up for the offence.