Baseline inboundsBeginner

Stack

Baseline out of bounds. Four in a line by the block peel off: top, corner, a screen and a cut to the rim.

Best for: An easy first baseline play. Every spot has one job, 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: stack
Steps: 4 steps · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Top of the stack (safety)
2Second in the stack (corner)
3Inbounder
4Third in the stack (rim cut)
5Bottom of the stack (screener)

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 Stack.

You are 3, Inbounder

Your spot

Step 1 · The stack peels off

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

1Sprint out to the top as the safety.You are the safe pass if nothing opens inside. Get deep so x1 has to chase you.
2Sprint to the left corner, ready to shoot.You are the shooter. Get your feet set in the corner before the ball comes.
3Slap the ball, then read 4 at the rim, then 2, then 1.The slap starts the stack. First look is 4 cutting to the rim.
4Wait for 5's screen, then cut hard to the rim.Let 5 get into x4 first. Then go shoulder to shoulder to the basket.
5Turn and screen x4 as 4 cuts.Get your body on x4 and stay still. You free 4 for the layup.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: 4 is open at the rim (40%), Read: 2 is open in the corner (40%), Read: everyone is covered (20%).

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The stack peels off · 40%

x4 got caught on 5's screen. 4 is open under the basket.

1Stay at the top as the safety.Someone has to be back. That is you.
2Stay in the corner, ready to shoot.Keep x2 busy. If 4 is covered late, you are next.
3Bounce pass to 4 at the rim.First look is open. A bounce pass gets under x3's arms.
4Show your hands, catch and score.Two hands, chin the ball, go straight up.
5Hold the screen, then go to the rebound.Keep x4 stuck until the pass is in, then crash in case 4 misses.

Layup for 4 off the stack.

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The stack peels off · 40%

x2 sank into the lane to stop 4 at the rim. 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 sank in. Feet set, catch and shoot.
3Pass to 2 in the corner.x2 helped on 4. The corner is open and the pass is short.
4Hold your spot and box out for the rebound.Two defenders are on you. Be ready if 2 misses.
5Step in 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 peels off · 20%

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

1Come back to the ball and catch it.You are the safety. Meet the pass so x1 can't jump in front.
2Stay in the corner and keep x2 with you.Stay wide so 1 has room to catch.
3Pass it out to 1, the safety.Nothing low. Get it in safely before five seconds.
4Clear out of the lane to the right block.The ball is going out. Open the lane and set up the offence.
5Step to your block and get ready to post.The ball is coming in to 1. Set up for the offence.