"Horns Flare" is a wrinkle off of the basic "Horns Action," It has two major benefits. The first is that it puts the big, who is in the middle of defending a ball screen action, into a tough defensive scramble. If read properly, this will create a big offensive advantage. It also occupies both bigs, away from the basket, which opens the lane for an aggressive drive from the guard. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
In Game 2 of the Spurs-Rockets series, in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Popovich ran this ATO set. It is a terrific design, based on the fact that the Spurs love to isolate Kawhi Leonard (3). On the screen-the-screener action, it looks like an isolation, but is actually a "Hammer Action." This is a screen, to set up the baseline drift pass. It resulted in a wide open 3 for Danny Green, as the Spurs opened up a 10-point halftime lead in Game 2. Look for more isolation sets, and "Hammer Actions" from the Spurs, throughout the Playoffs. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
"Iverson Throwback Hammer" was an ATO that the San Antonio Spurs ran, in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. It showed their "Hammer Action," but had an option for a throw back, behind the baseline drive. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
"Iverson Flop High Low" is a nice counter to the Iverson series. The Iverson cut is used to draw the help away from the baseline. The point guard dribbles opposite of the cut. The 4 pops, after setting the screen, and receives a pass from the point guard. The 5 ducks in, for a high/low pass. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
In the 4th quarter of Game 7, in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the Celtics were trying to find an answer to the Wizards 7-0 run. Brad Stevens ran this ATO, which resulted in an easy Marcus Smart lay-up. The play uses some misdirection, to get an easy post entry. With Celtics' star Isaiah Thomas cutting to the wing, and a cross screen happening, it looks like the ball will work back to that side of the floor. Instead, Olynyk dribbled the opposite direction, and Horford screened X3. When X4 fought over the screen, Smart (3) simply slips to the ball. This was one of the best ATO designs of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. The Celtics weathered that Wizards run, winning Game 7, to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
"The Hill" is named after Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. At the 2017 TABC (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) Clinic, there was a "Pass the Chalk" Event. This SLOB was drawn by Greenhill School boys varsity basketball coach, Joey Sims. I have added a double stagger to the end of the set, so that there is a secondary action, if the lob is not available. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
Kansas State ran this misdirection BLOB in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. On the catch, the 5 dribbles towards the weak side Flare Screen, while the 2 "rips" off of a baseline screen. This BLOB resulted in a wide open three pointer. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
New Mexico State almost pulled off the comeback, as they trailed by 7, with a minute left in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. WIth the ball on the baseline, and under 2 seconds left, NMSU ran a fake lob, screen-the-screener action. It resulted in a wide open three, that did not drop. The key to the set was the fake lob, which led to the shooter becoming wide open in the corner. #FastModelMadness See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
Seton Hall battled Wofford in a great game in the First Round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Seton Hall ran a double drag ball screen, with a strong side down screen. This was all to open up a weak side flare. It is a good action, to get a 3, or a clear out for an isolation to attack off the bounce. #FastModelMadness NCAA Tournament: Viewing Guide by Style of Play See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
This set by Wofford has a lot going on, but it is a great action to get an open 3. The set has a pin down, with a return dribble hand off. Following that, it appears to be a double stagger away, but that is rejected. The next misdirection is the potential floppy action, which is twisted at the end, to be a double stagger coming back out for a shot. This is a great set, to open up a good shooter. Wofford beat Seton Hall in the first round, behind their ability to free up their three point shooters. This is just one example of the great actions that they run. NCAA Tournament - Style of Play Viewing Guide See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
Purdue used a dribble weave, to set up a back screen play, which resulted in an important dunk in their Sweet 16 win over Tennessee. This was a crucial possession, after leading scorer Ryan Smith (29 points) fouled out. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
This set is my favorite of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Virginia ran the elevator set out of a box formation. As Auburn thought it had guarded it well, Virginia built in a counter with a screen for a throwback on the baseline drive. This resulted in a wide open 3 in the Final Four, and Virginia went on to play in the National Championship game. Blog Post: Virginia's Elite Efficiency on Both Sides of the Ball See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
This is a great BLOB set used by Houston against Michigan in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Although Houston doesn't score here, the misidirection from the elevator screen really provides an effective setup. Included in the last frame is a counter hitting 1 on a backdoor cut on an open side. Not shown in the diagram, but may I also suggest a DHO from 3 to 1 after 1's action in Frame 2. This prevents the action from being stagnant with 3 dribbling the entire time. See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
The University of Toledo men's team runs some phenomenal action under Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk. They are one of the most "set-driven" teams in the country. Out of 1,640 FGA in the 2017-2018 season, only 196 were in transition. This diagram isn't 100% accurate to the formation/timing of the video clip below, but you can easlily see where my adaptations come from. I generally like to allow clips or actions to get my creativity flowing. When I see initial action that I really like, I will often build a 'series' of sets around that particular action. Check out my counters of this action: Horns Floppy: Spain PNR Counter Horns Floppy: Double Stagger Counter This is a great set with some very quick decisions to be made by the defense. As you can see the end of result of this set is not a basket, and to be honest it isn't particulary great execution or spacing, but you can most certainly see the potential of this set. I am a huge fan of the floppy action, not so much for the guard coming off, but for the great sealing position the screener should be in. These are great opportunities to screen with bigger guards that can exploit mismatches as well. Click here for more plays by Dave Nedbalek! See More
Favorite Send to FastDraw
This is a counter from the base action I diagramed entitled, "Toledo Rockets - Horns Floppy." This is a very simple yet effective counter you can run with this set. The video below is not of this set itselft, but the base horns floppy action. 5 will attempt to bury defender as 2 comes off screen. While this is happening, 1 and 4 set a double stagger screen away for 3 in the corner. This is a great time for several things: 1) 5 in a post isolation situation while help side is working through the stagger. 2) Obviously a 3pt opportunity for 3 if you have a 5 that garners a lot of attention. 3) While the stagger is occuring, if 5 were to sprint into a side ball screen for 2, that would leave 2 a wide open driving line off of a reject of 5's screen. Click here for more plays by Dave Nedbalek! See More
Favorite Send to FastDrawSend to your FastDraw library or email to a friend.
Email to a friend.
