U C L A High Post Offense, A personal favourite Options

[BorisD]

UCLA High Post Offense: G-G-F-UCLA Cut

Because sound offense depends upon the ability to penetrate the defense, the UCLA cut was instituted to help accomplish this to get the defense moving backwards. The UCLA cut is a rub-cut a back screen, and is designed to get an easy score for the cutter. (You will see that both Utah and Detroit use numerous UCLA cuts for their point guard at various times in their offense.) The UCLA High Post Offense's UCLA Cut option range has its base play as getting the ball onto the block for the weak-side forward.

Base Play

The initial alignment is the same as the Guard-Guard-Center and Guard-Guard-Forward-Outside Cut offense ranges. The center fakes down and cuts to the high post as usual, and the forwards fake down and cut out behind the center, and the other guard fakes down and cuts out behind the guard with the ball for the lag pass.

At this point, the guard runs the UCLA cut off the high post center. Being diligent with the UCLA cut is crucial for this offense to work. The offense must first read how the defense responds to the UCLA cut; most defenses play on the ball side of the screen and come outside the screen, forcing the offensive player to go inside the screen and through the paint, where the pass is more difficult. If the defense for whatever reason plays inside the screen, the offense will come on the ball side of the screen and go hard, straight down the outside of the lane (as pictured below), calling for the ball and looking either for the easy one on the pass or to establish position on the low block:

It is imperative that the forward and the cutting guard work very hard to explore the UCLA cut option, because this will likely draw the attention of the center's defender and allow the high post entry pass. The cut can't be lazy, it has to force the defense to respect it. But, should the defense cover the cut well, it brings us into our triangle set and into our continuity (or, in the case, to the actual base play).

But the base play is to get the ball to the weak-side forward on the block. This will be done by having the center fake in and cut right back out to get a high-post entry pass, who then will pass the ball to 3, who fakes down and flash-cuts to the ball. The guard up top will fake to the ball and cut back to the weak side, to provide an outlet.

An alert defense will attempt to "smash the flash" and deny the flash cut to the middle after a while. This is why 1 has cut across the key, to form a triangle with 3 and 5, and to allow 3 to simply turn and seal the defender and cut back to the block, to get an entry pass.

Down-Screen for Guard

Instead of entering the ball into the block to the weak-side forward, the offense can set a down-screen for the guard who has run the UCLA cut. This both allows 2 to come off the screen and look for a good jump shot, or to bring 4 onto the block for a post-up opportunity.

Side Post Game/Ball Screen

If the entry pass to the high post is denied following the UCLA cut, the offense can run the side-post game with 2 coming off a double screen on the strong side, and 1 and 3 playing a two man game from the side post.

Conversely, instead of the pass-and-cut side post game, 3 can set a ball screen for 1, who would now have the entire weak side of the floor to work with, due to the attention of the defense being captured by the double-screen option down low.

High One-on-One Option: Forward

One other option for the side post game is to allow the forward on the side post to go one-on-one with his defender, and drive or shoot as he sees fit. In this case, the guard will pass to the side post, and then run the banana cut over the side post player to distract the defense and to form a safety in case the drive is cut off.

Low Post Entry to the Guard

In the case where the offense has a guard who can play effectively on the block, and the defense goes under the rub screen, the guard can take the UCLA cut down to the block and establish his position on the block to receive the entry pass.

You'll notice that the setup of this play, and the down screen from high post to weak-side block is identical to the setup of this option from the Guard-Guard-Forward-Outside Cut options.

Guard Pops Out

The defense may at times anticipate the UCLA cut and play far off the guard, in the expectation of him executing the UCLA cut off the high post. The guard, sensing that they are doing this, may fake down, and then pop immediately out for the jump shot.

Center Post-Up

The defense may sense a mismatch with the center, and opt to run him onto the block instead of running the UCLA cut down the side of the lane. In this case, when the ball entry pass to the wing is completed, the center will dive to the block, and the pass will be entered as soon as the center turns and faces the forward. After the pass, the forward will take a step in and set a back screen for the guard, who rubs off it and heads to the corner to form a sideline triangle, as pictured below.

2 and 4, reading the defense, may at this time fake and run scissor cuts, splitting the post for an easy handoff, while taking care not to allow their defender to drop into a hard trap on the post player.

Inside-Out Forward One-on-One

The offense may also use the entry pass to misdirect the defense, to set up a high one-on-one for the forward, who is a good one-on-one player. The guard will run the inside pattern of the UCLA cut (as the defense forces), and the center will dive to the low block when the UCLA cut is unavailable for the pass.

At this point, the pass is entered to the center, who kicks the ball out to 1 at the top of the key. 4 goes down to set a double screen for 2 with 5, just as is de rigueur for the side post game. 1 passes to 3, who cuts to the side post, and 1 runs a banana cut again to keep the defense occupied, and this allows 3 to have a quick one-on-one game at the top of the key.

This concludes the base option ranges and continuities for the UCLA High Post Offense.

Before I move onto the special plays and pressure releases, are there any questions at all? It took me a while to get the point of this offense, and I know it's daunting (it was for me, too). Any questions you have I will do my best to answer.

This post has been edited by БорисД: Dec 27 2007, 10:01 PM

[RapsontheRise]

Honestly, it's hard to keep up with all the information. Thanks БорисД

OK, I know this is simplification but it might help me understand it easier.

If you could pick a 5 man All-Star team to run this offence, who would it be and why?

[BorisD]

Honestly, it's hard to keep up with all the information. Thanks БорисД

OK, I know this is simplification but it might help me understand it easier.

If you could pick a 5 man All-Star team to run this offence, who would it be and why?

That's a brutally tough question. I love it!

The offense is rather versatile, and any strength can be exploited within its flow. But I'd say I'd want a center who can pass, set good screens, and offensive rebound and have a limited post game; two forwards who can shoot and score on the block and have a decent nose for the offensive glass; and two guards who can pass and shoot from outside to keep the defense busy. Above all, since this is a "read and react" offense, all players have to be very alert and intelligent basketball players.

I'd say my ideal team for this offense would be:

5- Brad Daugherty (superb passing center, great footwork, could shoot up to 18' without a problem, solid if unspectacular rebounder)
4- Chris Bosh (can score outside and in, decent if unspectacular rebounder - good reads on screens, but sometimes a little too soft on them)
3- Larry Bird (can score off the bounce, from the perimeter, and from the post. Ferocious rebounder)
2- Kobe Bryant (gets the nod over Jordan due to perimeter shooting, but not as savvy off the bounce, in the post, or a passer as MJ)
1- Ron Harper (big guard who can post up if needed, decent outside shooter, good finisher around the basket and quick enough to cause problems off the bounce or cutting hard to the basket)

[RapsontheRise]

That's a brutally tough question. I love it!

The offense is rather versatile, and any strength can be exploited within its flow. But I'd say I'd want a center who can pass, set good screens, and offensive rebound and have a limited post game; two forwards who can shoot and score on the block and have a decent nose for the offensive glass; and two guards who can pass and shoot from outside to keep the defense busy. Above all, since this is a "read and react" offense, all players have to be very alert and intelligent basketball players.

I'd say my ideal team for this offense would be:

5- Brad Daugherty (superb passing center, great footwork, could shoot up to 18' without a problem, solid if unspectacular rebounder)
4- Chris Bosh (can score outside and in, decent if unspectacular rebounder - good reads on screens, but sometimes a little too soft on them)
3- Larry Bird (can score off the bounce, from the perimeter, and from the post. Ferocious rebounder)
2- Kobe Bryant (gets the nod over Jordan due to perimeter shooting, but not as savvy off the bounce, in the post, or a passer as MJ)
1- Ron Harper (big guard who can post up if needed, decent outside shooter, good finisher around the basket and quick enough to cause problems off the bounce or cutting hard to the basket)

I must admit I'm a Johnny come lately with respect to the NBA. Michael Jordan got me interested in the game. Any chance you could help me with a more current team of All-Stars.

I suspect Deron could play the 1 by the way you describe Harper. Sorry for the poor knowledge of history of the game. Thanks again. Perhaps Ilgauskas at the 5? I won't touch Larry Bird, did see a few of his games.

This post has been edited by RapsontheRise: Dec 28 2007, 03:36 PM

[BorisD]

I must admit I'm a Johnny come lately with respect to the NBA. Michael Jordan got me interested in the game. Any chance you could help me with a more current team of All-Stars.

Okay...

1 - Billups (not the driving and creative type of point guard, and has an acceptable perimeter game)
2 - Kobe
3 - Paul Pierce (good outside as well as inside game)
4 - Bosh (Good inside and outside game)
5 - Ilgauskas is a good call. Good game away from the basket and in close, good passer...not a bad idea.

I suspect Deron could play the 1 by the way you describe Harper.

Nah, this offense is a waste of his talents. Deron is a strong creative guard who does a lot of good work off the bounce, and while this offense can be modified, it probably isn't as well suited to his skills as Utah's 4-out/1-in offense.

[BorisD]

I've added the Guard-Guard-Center option range from the DVD to YouTube, you can see the video here.

Sorry for the poor quality.

Just added the G-G-F-Outside Cut video here.

And the last bit of the G-G-F-Outside Cut and the G-G-F-UCLA Cut here.

This post has been edited by БорисД: Dec 29 2007, 11:05 PM

[BorisD]

UCLA High Post Offense: Pressure Release

Any defense is likely to key on the initiating feature of an offense, even in a read and react offense like the UCLA High Post offense. Eventually, defenders will overplay the guard and attempt to deny the guard-to-guard pass. Any offense has to be prepared for such defensive tactics, and run counters of their own to take advantage of the opportunities surrendered by the defense. Here are some such options available in this offense.

Guard Reverse

When the defensive player overplays 2 to deny the guard-to-guard pass, the defense's overplay opens up the potential for a backdoor pass for an easy score. To open that possibility, the weak-side forward will sprint into the high post area to catch a pass. The timing on this is important. The weak-side guard will then step a little further out and towards the ball, and call for the ball, attempting to deceive the defense into thinking he wants it there, and then begins his hard reverse cut (which should be run in a straight line and avoid arcing as much as possible) before the ball leaves 1's hands to 4. In the event that 2's defender gets wind of this and recovers to deny the backdoor cut, then he surrenders the guard-to-guard pass - and the offense continues as per usual.

In the event that the defense is able to recover and deny the backdoor pass, 3 and 5 will form a double screen, from which 2 will cut off. At the same time, 1 will run the side post game with 4 at the top of the key. 4 will look to either run the two-man game with 1, or pass to the cutting 2, who may have an open shot. As soon as 2 catches the ball, 3 will cut over top of 5 to the high post, which will momentarily freeze the defense. And this will form the triangle, and puts us right in our 4-option set.

So, in this case, even though the defense has denied the backdoor pass, the offense has been initiated - which is what the defense took pains to prevent.

Reverse for the Reverser

It may happen that both the guard-to-guard pass is denied by defensive pressure, and as well the flash cut to the top of the key by the weak-side forward to set up the backdoor action. In this case, the offense can look to set up a backdoor pass to the forward. As he cuts to the top, bringing his defender with him and with 5 staying high, he can suddenly reverse for the potential lob pass and score from the guard. This is a risky play, but successfully completing it might result in the defense calling off pressure on that flash cut.

If the lob pass isn't available over the defense, the center can quickly fake down, receive the pass from the guard, and without pivoting drop a bounce pass to 4 on the backdoor cut as well.

Forward One-on-One

If the weak-side forward is a good one-on-one player, the offense can create some misdirection and set up an isolation play in the middle of the floor for him. The forward cuts to the top of the key, 5 cuts down to the block to set a double-screen with 3, off which 2 will come and make the defense think the play is coming for him on the side. Also, 1 will cut as though he's playing the 2-man side post option with 4, which leaves 4 an open lane to drive - or, if that is not there, he can pass to 2 coming off the double screen and then the offense is established on the side with a triangle and the 4-options set.

Guard to Center, Foward Reverse

In the case that the pass to the weak side forward isn't there, the guard can pass directly to the center, who attempts to get the ball to the strong-side forward as he quickly reverses on a backdoor cut. This does require careful timing on the part of all 3 players, but can result in an easy score when executed properly.

If the backdoor pass isn't available, the weakside guard and forward set a double-screen, and the center will look for 3 coming off that screen. And the Triangle/4 options set begins, and despite the pressure the offense has been initiated again.

Guard to Wing, Dribble Entry

In the event where the guard-to-guard action, guard reverse, guard-to-center, forward reverse are all denied, there is one further option for the guard. He may initiate a hard dribble directly at the strong-side forward, who will fake towards the guard and then reverse towards the basket, calling for the ball, looking for the backdoor pass.

It's at this point that the offense has two options. The weakside guard and forward will form a double screen on the block, and the forward will run a weak-side speed cut off those screens and look for the pass from the center. The guard will then rub-cut over the post, and establish the triangle on that side of the floor, as illustrated below:

Or, conversely, the forward can stop on the block and look for the post entry pass (thus forming the triangle). At this point, the weakside guard can also cut back to the ball, the weak-side forward can cut up to the mid-post and they can play the side post game. This is merely option 3 of the 4 option set.

Any offense must be able to read and react to the defense, and find solutions to pressure. Any offense that can only function against "dummy" or "practice" defense and not have responses to pressure or overplay isn't very helpful. This is a set of 4 entries that allows the 4-option set to be established against defensive pressure.

I don't know whether I'll be able to get the section of the DVD posted on this, due to software issues. It's not all that impressive either, except for John Wooden offhandedly mentioning that if you can't make an open jump shot, you should consider a different occupation than basketball.

[BorisD]

Just as an advisory, since I did the pressure releases, I was going to move into the special plays/quick hitters, and then into 3/4 court pressure, full court pressure, and sidelines out of bounds plays and baseline out of bounds plays to initiate the offense.

However, before I go further into special situations, in doing some reading lately I've had it re-inforced to me that offense is truly a 94' proposition and not just a halfcourt game. Therefore, I'm working on some secondary break sets that would flow as a matter of course into the four options set as its continuity. There is no current work on that subject that I can find, so it'll be all my own original thoughts that I put up.

I'll probably post the quick hitters tonight, move into the secondary break sets later.

[BorisD]

Secondary Break Entry 1

As you can see from the first round of posts, the UCLA High-Post Offense is obviously a half-court offense. However, basketball is a full-court game, and the John Wooden UCLA teams did look to push their ball as a primary option, either on a make or a miss by the opposition. Therefore, the offense doesn't have to be initiated by walking up the ball and starting with the guard-to-guard lag pass (as we've seen with some of the pressure releases). The more I think about the game of basketball, I'm becoming a more firm believer that the offense should look to aggressively push the ball up the court quickly on every possession. There are plenty of reasons to do this, none the least of which is that when you're pushing the ball quickly, the odds that the defense will not pick up the offense properly is far greater, which creates mismatches, which lead to higher percentage plays for the offense. The price you have to pay for doing so is a few turnovers, but generally you still end up on the plus side at the end of the day for doing so.

In introducing the secondary break, it should be noted that there are some challenges. Personnel issues will likely be more telling at times in these sets. Whereas I've made it clear that there are no real distinctions between the guards in the halfcourt set, there are in the secondary break; similarly, whereas there is a substantial difference bewteen the 2 and 3, and between the 4 and 5 in the halfcourt set, there is not in the secondary break. This might temporarily lead to players playing out of skill in the halfcourt, and will have to be accounted for in the options run by a team and in the continuity. For example, if the first forward (3) has a good handle and a decent perimeter game, and the other guard (2) can play a little bit inside, the secondary break becomes very flexible and can allow for more quick strikes; if those are not so interchangeable, well, then the secondary break may have to run a little deeper into a possession in order for the continuity to be formed up. We'll examine a few of these sets.

The secondary break is based largely upon that developed by Dean Smith and modified somewhat by Roy Williams, first at Kansas and then again at North Carolina.

Basic Rules

1. On a make by the opponent, either 4 or 5 gets the ball out of the net and get it inbounds as soon as possible.
2. The ball is to be inbounded to the point guard, preferrably on the run.
3. The 2 and 3 are to sprint straight down the outside lanes on either the make or the defense controlling the basketball.
4. Whichever of the 4 or 5 who does not take the ball out of bounds hesitates momentarily at the 3 point arc in the backcourt to see whether the 1 has received the inbounds or outlet pass, and is to help if the 1 has not received the ball.
5. The offense must recognize the defense immediately upon gaining control of the ball. If 2 or fewer defenders are back, the offense attacks immediately in a primary break.
6. In primary break, a shot must go up in 2 or fewer passes.
7. In secondary break, a shot must be taken in 3 or more passes (unless it's a layup).
8. In secondary break, the ball must change sides of the court.
9. In secondary break, the offense is going to wait for the defense to make a mistake.
10. Whichever of the 4 or 5 did not inbound or outlet the ball is to sprint right to the front of the key, and then cut out to the ball-side block.

Basic Secondary Break Setup

So as you can see, in the basic secondary break, the inbounds pass comes into the 1, who speed dribbles the ball down the side, since the offense has recognized that there are more than 2 defenders back. 5 has hesitated to make sure 1 has received the pass, 4 steps in and temporarily stops under the basket in case a turnover takes place, and the wing player on the ball side sprints right to the corner, and the wing player on the weak side sprints to the wing on the weak side. The 5 in this case (again, it could be the 4 - it's whichever one did not get the ball inbounds) sprints right to the front of the rim, looking for the easy one, and then cuts to the ball-side block, and the offense begins. 1 has the option of pitching ahead to the strong-side wing player to get the ball in faster, although he doens't have to and probably doesn't want to if the defense normally overplays the reversal pass, unless the defense is denying the entry pass to the block on the high side (which we'll discuss later).

This is the pressure release if the 1 does not receive the pass immediately from the out of bounds. 5 helps out, you'll see 4 stopping under the basket to make sure everything is clear before taking off as the trailer, just in case a turnover happens.

This is the primary play of the secondary break. 5 establishes the line of deployment (an imaginary line which goes directly from the basket to the ball, which the post player must straddle to shape up to receive the pass) and if 1 can read his jersey, he must pass him the ball. While the high post offense is generally designed for a center who would not be considered a dominant post scorer, the defense may have messed up in transition and picked up 5 with a smaller player, or not at all. If the big sprints on every play, he will get some easy ones, because his defender will not sprint back every play. So running the secondary break actually gives offensive post players an advantage they do not enjoy in regular half-court play, especially if the defense is trapping or playing in a zone.

So in this case, the defense player is denying the entry pass on the high side. 1 reads this, pitches ahead to 2, and 5 shapes up and re-forms the line of deployment, and can catch the entry pass on the baseline side with his defender sealed behind him, which should result in a very good opportunity to score or be fouled on a quick move to the basket.

And in this case, 1 cannot make the pass to 5, so passes it to the trailer (4), who looks for the hi-lo feed, if he's allowed to throw it. (N.B.: some coaches don't allow their other big to throw that pass if they can't do it well. Roy Williams' instruction to Greg Ostertag in his freshman season was, "If you see your teammate wide open, before you throw that pass, look over on the sideline. If you see a stretcher with two guys in white jackets who are coming onto the floor to pick up that guy's defender who has just dropped dead of a heart attack on the floor, throw that pass. Otherwise, don't throw that pass." That restriction was lifted, apparently, later in Ostertag's career as he learned to make that pass.) If the hi-lo feed is not available, he passes the ball on to 3, who also looks to throw the ball to the block to 5. The entry to the block is the base play of the secondary break.

One thing that must be clarified is that 2 must begin to cut to the weak-side block on air time (meaning, while the pass from the trailer to the weak-side wing is in the air), because he's going to go and set a back screen for the trailer.

So 2 sets a back-screen for 4, and 4 cuts hard off of it, looking for a lob pass. If the lob pass is not there (it usually won't be), he cuts over to the weak-side block, and 2 either stays in the high post area or cuts out a little to receive the pass from 3.

As discussed above, 2 receives the pass from 3, and 4 screens across for 5, who must cut across on the low side, in case 2 receives the ball relatively deep, to keep spacing.

Either one of those players should be open at this point, 2 has the option of passing to which one is open on the exchange.

If none of those options are open, the ball is passed to 1, who looks into 5 on the block, and then 4 cuts to the high post, and 3 cuts down to the weak side block.

And we're into our 4 options set.

So that is a base secondary break, with the offense aggressively looking for a primary break (which was denied), then looking for a secondary break quick score (which was denied), and now into their halfcourt continuity, without having to exit the ball and re-set the offense. This means the offense went through a lot of options and looked to strike quickly and aggressively, without using a lot of time and without giving the defenes much chance to get set. Chances are, somewhere along there, the defense will mess up. The offense forced the defense to sprint back without getting set, the ball has been reversed twice, several screens have been set, and the offense is back "in skill" (meaning, forwards are playing as forwards, the center as a center, the guards as guards, etc.).

We'll look at other secondary break options as we go on, this is just the base secondary break. Some are special "quick-hitter" plays that would need to be called out of a free throw by the opposition, or something, the rest are all read and react plays by the offense.

This post has been edited by БорисД: Jan 18 2008, 04:39 AM

[Ahollz]

who would the quintenssential players to run the high post offence in the nba?

[BorisD]

who would the quintenssential players to run the high post offence in the nba?

That was asked earlier, and I'm still on the fence about that. Some guys will look good in any offense, so it's tough to give specific names. I can give you the kind of player that can make this offense look really good:

• Point Guard: Can both shoot from outside, and post up. A creative, driving point guard will largely be wasted.
• Off Guard: Good decision-maker, outside shooter, post player at this position will give the defense fits.
• Small Forward: A really good shooter will look really nice here, although he also has to be a fairly decent passer.
• Power Forward: If he can handle the ball some and have a half decent shot, along with the expected post game and rebounding, he'll look brilliant.
• Center: Has to be able to pass extremely well. Some post game required, but a dominant post scorer might be wasted in this offense.

You may have some better ideas than I do at this point as to who the ideal personnel might be. It's tough for me to speculate on that. But it should be noted that John Wooden's teams had lots of success with different kinds of players in this system. But when they had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar there, and Bill Walton later, they did not run this offense, but ran a hi-lo. They ran the high post offense a little more when Walton was there because he could pass so well, but they basically never used it when they had Kareem. Wooden said it wasn't because Alcindor (as Kareem was known back then) wasn't a good passer or shooter, it was because he was so dominant you couldn't take him away from the basket in good conscience. Walton was equally as dominant, but he was such a good passer you had to use that, too.

[JONSEY]

I like your 1 - 3 - 1 version of the UCLA High Post Offense Boris. If Andrea is going to remain at the 5 on this team and CB at the 4...I think they would be foolish not to adopt this offense. Personally, I would play Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino on the wings. I would also alternate between CB and AB in the high versus low post position so both players get touches on the block. I could also envision back door screens being set for the slashers on the wings by the low block post player with AB or CB looking to hit Carlos and AP cutting to the basket. Interesting offense and an improvement over our current approach.

This post has been edited by JONESY: Feb 15 2008, 08:54 PM

[I Represent Smit...]

I like your 1 - 3 - 1 version of the UCLA High Post Offense Boris. If Andrea is going to remain at the 5 on this team and CB at the 4...I think they would be foolish not to adopt this offense. Personally, I would play Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino on the wings. I would also alternate between CB and AB in the high versus low post position so both players get touches on the block. I could also envision back door screens being set for the slashers on the wings by the low block post player with AB or CB looking to hit Carlos and AP cutting to the basket. Interesting offense and an improvement over our current approach.

So I am guessing Jose will be the point guard on this? I think he is the better shooter.

Also, I would put Kapono instead of Delfy.

[JONSEY]

So I am guessing Jose will be the point guard on this? I think he is the better shooter.

Also, I would put Kapono instead of Delfy.

No question, your point guard needs to be able to shoot well in this system so I would opt for Jose. O.K., I'd give Kapono a chance on the wing as well. I have no doubt he could slash to the basket and could complete a lay on a back door cut. One of the biggest advantages of the Raptors' roster is their interchangeable parts. Jamario Moon could be aided in this system as well - freeing him up for slashing opportunities to the basket.

[JONSEY]

Boris,

In the first series of diagrams depicting the 5, 3, 4 combination...I would be inclined to change the positions to accomodate the Raptors. Instead, of the 2 being at the low post position, I would place the 4 (CB) a this low post position. Beyond the arc, I would play Jason Kapono at the (2) position because of his quick release. I would play Bargnani at the 5 position in this triangle set and rename it the 3 spot. And I would play one of you favourite players (Rasho) at the 3 position on the opposite weak side and rename it 5. Of course, Jose Calderon would be the 1.

Maybe you or other might say - Jason Kapono at the 2 guard and Andrea Bargnani at the small forward position 3 - what are you smokin man? But, I would love to see this kind of comibination on the floor for it's offensive kill power. I think Andrea is a better defender at the 3 position than people give him credit for. As far as Kapono is concerned, I fail to see much difference having him defend the 3 versus the 2 - they are both very difficult covers for him defensively. He's out there to shred you offensively with his shooting and prevent doubling on the low post.

Rasho is there for low post opportunities on the weak side and to rebound the basketball offensively which he does very well.

[TheFedExpress]

BorisD's come through with a bit more insight into the UCLA High Post Offense:

Secondary Break Entry Options

In continuing with the idea of entering the UCLA High Post Offense in a full-court attack, we will proceed to examine further options out of the secondary break. These are, again, taken largely from Roy Williams' secondary break offenses that he ran at Kansas and now North Carolina, based on Dean Smith's seminal work on this topic.

The aim of the secondary break is to look for a quick score before the defense can recover fully and exploit any mismatches or lack of coverage that may exist. Should the defense stop the primary options, the secondary break leads seamlessly into the half-court offense without having to exit the ball and re-set the offense.

There are a few rules which need to be remembered:

1. the nearest post player (4 or 5) will take the ball out of bounds on a make and quickly inbound to 1;
2. whichever of 4 or 5 did not take the ball out of bounds will begin running hard down the floor, stopping at the top of the key in the backcourt to verify that the PG does not need any help getting the ball inbounds or up the floor;
3. When he verifies that 1 does the get ball inbounds safely, he will sprint down the floor right to the front of the rim, and then to the ball-side block;
4. 2 and 3 will immediately sprint down the far lanes. Depending upon personnel, they can be completely interchangeable;
5. 1 will bring the ball up the floor, attempting to slash across the middle of the court and change sides of the floor as he brings the ball up.

These rules will be in play throughout the options on the secondary break we'll examine next. Some of these options are to be called out of an opponents' free throw as set plays, others are just options that the team employs as they read what the defense is doing.

Option 1: B-3

This is an option that is determined by the trailing big man. It is a read-and-react play that presents a two-man game in the post for the trailer (who is a good post player), and a shot up top for a good shooter from the weakside. The name "B-3" is just part of the North Carolina numbering system, the name itself is not important.

In this case, 5 is nearest the ball on the made FG by the opposition, and he takes the ball out of the net as quickly as possible and enters the ball quickly to 1, and becomes the trailer.

In this case, the trailer (5) recognizes that he has an advantage inside on his defender. Instead of stopping as the reverse man as in the regular secondary break, he goes and sets a screen for the weakside wing player (2), who fakes down and then cuts over the screen to come up top, where he will receive the pass from 1. This screen is the signal that the trailer and weakside wing will play a 2-man game on the strong side.

2 dribbles hard to the wing to create the angle for the entry pass to 5 on the block. This is the primary play of B-3. To keep the offense off-balance and to give another alternative, a staggered double screen is run for 3 on the weakside. The post player will come to the high post to be the second screener in order to take his defender and the help he provides away from the two-man game being run on the strong side. 1 comes down and sets the first screen. 3 must make sure to rub his shoulder off the hips off the screeners in order to assure he's going to get clearance coming off the screen. He should have a good look for a jump shot from the top should the 2 man game not be available.

Should 3 be denied the jump shot from the top, 1 will pop out to the wing, and should be free for the wing entry pass.

The wing entry pass comes to 1, and there are 3 different options for 3, 4 and 5 to run together to form the 4-options set. They would have to read this, and the decision is initiated by the second screener on the staggered double (in this case, 4). The first option is to have the top wing player run a UCLA cut off 4 and look to get to the low block. (4 has the option of setting an up-screen for 5 on the far block to bring him to the high post, but he also has the option of just opening up to the ball after the UCLA cut off his back screen.) This is a good option for when the defense is overplaying, or 3 would have an advantage on the block:

Remembering that we already established that 5 is a good inside player and/or has an advantage on his defender, 4 can screen across for 5 to get onto the strong side low block. 3 waits for 5 to establish low post position and then fills the high post. This would be a good option where 4 plays the 2-man game well with the other guard and 5 is a strong inside player:

Alternately, 5 can flash-cut directly to the post, 4 can hold at the high post, and 3 can screen away for 2 to set up a potential jump shot, or the side post option with 2.

Lastly, 4 can fill the block, 3 can up-screen for 5 who fills the high post, and the triangle is formed again:

"Dribble"

This option is set up like "regular" secondary break, with in this case 2 being the ball side wing player, 4 taking the ball out of bounds and 5 being the primary inside player. 2 and 3 can be completely interchangeable, ditto for 4 and 5.

In this option, 1 calls the play by instead of throwing the ball inside to 5, pitching ahead to the corner, or passing to the trailer, he turns and dribbles straight at the trailer, signaling him to set a ball screen. 1 has the option of looking for his own shot off the drive off the ball screen, or throwing inside to 5 who cuts across the key as in "regular". The strong side wing player starts to cut towards the block just like in "regular".

After the ball screen if the penetration for 1 and the pass inside to 5 is denied, 4 rolls out and sets an up-screen for 2, and assumes position on the low block. 5 and 1 set a staggered double screen on the weak side for 3, opening the possibility of a shot from the top for him. Most secondary breaks will feature a 2-man game and something else going on on the weakside to keep the defense from focusing on the post game.

In this case, both the post entry and the shot from the top were denied, the ball is reversed to the far wing, and 3 sets an up-screen for 4 to fill the high post with 5 on the block, and we're in our 4-option set.

"Dribble Hold"

We'll use the same alignment as in "Dribble". "Dribble Hold" is a variant of the base play.

This play is again called by 1 by dribbling directly at the trailer, calling for a ball screen. In this case, however, 2 is a very good post player for a wing, and will be isolated inside on the block as the primary option when 1's penetration and the entry pass on the block to 5 isn't available.

5 continues his slide across to the weakside, 2 cuts towards the strong side block. 4 rolls off the screen just as in "Dribble", but in this case he will hold on the wing, and 2 will cut to the block for the post opportunity. A staggered double screen on the weakside creates balance and clears out the defense from the post area for 2's isolation, and provides 3 a good look coming off that screen series.

And, in the event where those two options are denied, the ball is reversed, 4 sets an up-screen for 2, 3 runs the UCLA cut off of 5, and we're back "in skill".

And we're also in our 4-options set.

"Dribble Spinout"

One thing that can quickly break down a defense is a big man who can shoot. In the case where the trailer is a good shooter, the offense can run "Dribble Spinout". This works well when the defense is struggling to contain this shooter, or in a short-time situation as well.

This play is initiated the same way as "Dribble" and "Dribble Hold": 1 dribbles directly at 4, although this call probably needs to be called out of a timeout, or after a made opponents' free throw.

[img]http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9866/dspinout2pf7.jpg[/img]

And 4 spins off the screen outside the 3 point arc, and should have a good look with good coverage on the offensive glass.

[img]http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6526/dspinout3dq8.jpg[/img]

"Backdoor Double"

In the situation where the weakside wing is a good scorer and is getting a lot of attention from the defense, we can run a backdoor play for him for an easy score. This would need to be called out of a timeout, or on free throws.

[img]http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2940/bd1nx9.jpg[/img]

The only marked difference between this full-court setup would be the fact that the weakside wing player runs a couple of steps inside the 3 point arc to start.

[img]http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7601/bd2kl5.jpg[/img]

The weakside wing player (3, here) fakes out hard, and then runs a backdoor cut once the ball gets passed to the trailer. The first look for the trailer is to the backdoor cut, obviously.

[img]http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4516/bd3ma6.jpg[/img]

As the pass went to the trailer, 1 and 4 set up a staggered double screen for 2 coming high. 5 has to dribble once or twice to create the passing lane coming off the screens.

[img]http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2913/bd4yz3.jpg[/img]

1 and 4 then set a double screen for 3, who comes off to the strong side looking for the outside shot. After 3 clears, 4 pops out to the high post, 1 runs a weakside cut to fill the perimeter guard spot, and 5 fills his position just off the weakside block.

[img]http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5423/bd5qw0.jpg[/img]

And the 4 options set can be filled either by having 2 run the UCLA cut onto the block, or 5 filling the strong side block with a flash cut.

Dive

[img]http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7387/dive1ru8.jpg[/img]

Dive is an option that is read and called by 1 as he dribbles up the floor, the coach doesn't call this one. This play is primarily to either take advantage of a defensive overplay on the trailer by sending him on a diving backdoor cut, and then to take advantage of the weakside wing player, who is effective coming off a ball screen.

[img]http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6522/dive2zq0.jpg[/img]

The 1 signals the call by executing a reverse dribble, which is the unspoken cue for Dive to be run.

[img]http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4096/dive3st9.jpg[/img]

It starts with the trailer (4) faking out and then reversing hard to the basket, calling for the ball on the backdoor pass. If that pass is not available, the ball is passed to the weakside wing (2).

[img]http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8566/dive4qz4.jpg[/img]

2, whom we have determined to be effective working on ball screens, takes a side ball screen from the deep post player. His first look is for his own shot off the penetration, then to the trailer (4) who dove to start the play as he comes off the strongside wing player's screen, then to 5, who is screened for by the strongside wing player as he goes to the glass.

[img]http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/828/dive5vv9.jpg[/img]

Should all those options be blocked, the point and strong side wing player should be open on the wings, and the high post can be filled by the player on the weak side block.

[img]http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/4603/bd5ay2.jpg[/img]

And we're into the 4 options set again, without having to exit and re-set.

A few more options to come later.

Discuss.

This post has been edited by TheFedExpress: Feb 26 2008, 12:50 AM

[BorisD]

Here are a few last secondary break options that can serve as entries into the UCLA High Post Offense 4 options set. Again, the purpose of this is to demonstrate that the offense can be run from 94 feet and can flow seamlessly from fast break into halfcourt offense without giving the defense a chance to set.

Kickback

The "kickback" secondary break option features a back screen for the trailer who looks to get a pass on the UCLA cut, or as he asserts low post position, and then features a high-low option.

"Kickback" is a read-and-react play, that is ordered by the trailer. In this case, the trailer (4) recognizes he hasn't been picked up in transition and has an advantage down low, and doesn't want to run B-3. He fakes the pass to the weakside wing, and then kicks the pass back to the point, who has faked a cut inside and V-cuts outside. The corner (2) cuts towards the block, because he thinks up until this point he's running regular secondary.

2 sets a back screen for the trailer, while the post player continues to cut across the key as in regular secondary. The trailer runs a rub cut down to the low block, while 2 pops out to the weakside guard position.

5 flash cuts to the high post while 3 cuts to the weak side block, thus establishing the 4 options set.

Sweep

In the case where the weakside wing player is effective using a side ball screen, the offense can run "sweep", which is another read-and-react play that doesn't need to be specifically called.

As in regular secondary, the ball is swung from point to trailer to weakside wing, with the corner player cutting towards the block and the post player cutting through the lane, calling for the ball.

Unlike regular secondary, the trailer follows his pass to the weakside wing and sets a side ball screen. Since the corner player (3) now has no trailer to screen for, he sets an across screen for the post player, who goes underneath the screen.

After setting the across screen for the post player, the corner player goes and sets a back screen for the ball screener to go to the glass. This small-on-big screen might also translate into a mismatch against switching defenses. The primary option, however, is for the wing player to create his own shot, but he also can pass to weakside block to the post player who comes off the screen for a duck-in move, or to the screened screener who dives onto the strong side block.

In the case where all 3 options are denied, the wing player can pass firstly to the weak side wing, and if that is absolutely not there, then back to the strong side wing.

And the weakside post player flashes high to get us into the 4-options set.

Screen for the Screener

In the case where the corner player is a good interior scorer, the team can call Screen for the Screener out of a time-out or free throws. This has to be called in, it is not a read-and-react play.

The play begins just as in regular secondary.

Just as in regular secondary, the corner player sets a back screen for the trailer, who looks for the lob.

Rather than have the trailer screen across for the post player, though, the post player comes high and screens for 2 to cut down to the block.

The post player screens across for the weakside block to fill the high post.

And the 4-options set is re-formed.

So this concludes the UNC secondary break entries into the UCLA high post offense. At some point I'd like to produce some other pressure releases and handle any questions, and more or less wrap up my involvement.

[BorisD]

Boris,

In the first series of diagrams depicting the 5, 3, 4 combination...I would be inclined to change the positions to accomodate the Raptors. Instead, of the 2 being at the low post position, I would place the 4 (CB) a this low post position. Beyond the arc, I would play Jason Kapono at the (2) position because of his quick release. I would play Bargnani at the 5 position in this triangle set and rename it the 3 spot. And I would play one of you favourite players (Rasho) at the 3 position on the opposite weak side and rename it 5. Of course, Jose Calderon would be the 1.

I'm not sure I follow which diagram you're referring to, but the UCLA high post offense is a continuity offense. The two forward positions are interchangeable, and the two guard positions are interchangeable. The center is really the only stand-alone position, and he's generally going to be primarily used for his passing skill. And in the continuity, the 3, 4 and 5 all basically can fill any of the high post, strong side low post, or weakside low post positions at any time.

Maybe you or other might say - Jason Kapono at the 2 guard and Andrea Bargnani at the small forward position 3 - what are you smokin man? But, I would love to see this kind of comibination on the floor for it's offensive kill power. I think Andrea is a better defender at the 3 position than people give him credit for. As far as Kapono is concerned, I fail to see much difference having him defend the 3 versus the 2 - they are both very difficult covers for him defensively. He's out there to shred you offensively with his shooting and prevent doubling on the low post.

I think that point is well made, I think that are several things the Raptors would have to do to adapt this offense to the current reality:

• have the high post step out further occasionally to keep good spacing to prevent double-teams;
• run lots of secondary breaks to keep skill of point guards from being wasted;
• perhaps tweak angle of perimeter shooters and add some special quick hitters for late shot clock situations.

Rasho is there for low post opportunities on the weak side and to rebound the basketball offensively which he does very well.

Yeah, that's a good point. One of the reasons Coach Wooden liked the offense as well as he did was because of the offensive rebounding position.

[BorisD]

Special Plays - Quick Hitters

"Kentucky"

The set play "Kentucky" is really just the base play of the Guard-Guard-Forward-Outside Cut option range. It is a misdirection play designed to get the defense worrying about the strong side forward, while the weak side forward (a good shooter) gets a good shot attempt.

The lag pass to initiate the offense goes between the two guards. The off guard fakes in and cuts back out to receive the lag pass, and passes to the strong side forward, and then cuts outside him and up to about 8 feet away from the basket. 3 begins a cut to the basket.

4 passes back to 1, who fakes a cut in and then comes out to catch the pass at the top. 4 cuts over a side screen by 5, calling for the ball. 3 continues his cut to the low weak side block. 2 continues his outside cut to the inside part of the strong side block. As soon as 4 clears the screen, 5 cuts hard to the baseline and sets the top part of a double screen. As 4 clears the screen, 1 pass fakes to 4, which is the cue to 3 to begin his cut off the double screen.

3 comes off the double screen and looks for the shot. The angle of the cut and subsequent ideal shot attempt will have to be determined by personnel, but for shooters without the range to the 3 point line, the angle of the screens can be altered and the cutter should call for the ball at this designated spot, and then if not available should continue to the 3 point arc to re-form the triangle for the 4 options set.

"Indiana"

"Indiana" is a play designed to get a backdoor score for an unlikely scorer. Again, it's a misdirection play, catching the defense expecting the ball to be reversed, but it gets sent back to the middle for a backdoor score.

The lag pass between the two guards takes place, and the ball passed to the strong side forward.

The second guard fakes as though he's going to run the UCLA cut off the high post, but backs out and receives the reversal pass from the forward, who then cuts across of the side screen from the high post as misdirection. The defense will at this point, having probably seen "Kentucky", anticipate the play to be coming for 3 coming off the double screen.

As the ball is entered to the high post, 2's defender will likely relax a bit as he is now in a weak side help situation. 2 fakes out and reverses hard to the basket, looking for the backdoor feed for an easy score.

"Santa Barbara"

"Santa Barbara" is just the play call for the fourth option of the 4 options set, the "dribble up" option. The guard-guard-forward-UCLA cut action takes place first.

The forward dribbles hard directly at 1, who fakes as though he's coming out to receive the pass for the side post action, but then reverses towards the basket, calling for the ball. As the forward clears, 5 cuts down to set a double screen with 2, and 3 comes off the double screen looking for his shot.

3's cut off the double screen should begin as the reversal option is exhausted.

"Down"

"Down" is an option to get a quick post opportunity for a forward who has the ability to score in the post.

The play begins as in the Guard-Guard-Forward-Outside Cut base play, except in this case the second guard cuts to the forward and takes a handoff.

4 cuts back up top and replaces the guard. 1 reverses to the basket, and if open can receive a lob pass on his backdoor cut. 3 replaces 1 up top. If the lob pass is not available, the reversal pass to 4 will be made.

On air time on the reversal pass, 3 will set a down screen for 1 to come up top. 3, after setting the screen, will post up on his defender, as 5 and 2 reverse to the basket for rebounding coverage. 1 enters the ball to 3 for a quick one-on-one opportunity on the block.

"Green"

"Green" is a misdirection play designed to get a post up opportunity for a guard who has a size or skill advantage in the low post. The play begins as though it's the normal guard-guard-forward-UCLA cut option range.

4 passes the ball out to 1, who has faked in and then out. 4 runs over the side screen set by 5 and calls for the ball on the cut down the lane. At this point, the defense will likely assume that the play is being run either for 3 (who is cutting towards the basket) or 4.

1 fakes the pass to 4 coming off the side screen, and hesitates, waiting for him to clear. The defense will likely relax as they focus on the forwards. At this point, 1 dribbles the ball onto the wing and throws the entry pass to the guard on the low block, for the one on one opportunity.

A few more will follow tomorrow.

Forward Clear

The idea of forward clear is to clear out the strong side for the forward who has good one-on-one driving skills to have a clear side to work one-on-one. This is done by having a weak-side attack formed, so the defense has to be occupied and can't send quick help, as well as to misdirect them by not allowing them to realize the side has been cleared.

The play is set up just as the guard-guard-forward-UCLA/Outside cut entries, except the center at the high post and the weak side guard set a double screen on the weak side elbow for the weak side forward.

3 comes under the double screen looking for an easy score, while the strong side guard sets a screen for 1 (screen for the screener action), while 4 should be beginning to take his defender.

Guard Clear

The same basic idea as "forward clear", except the play is for the guard to go one-on-one, and it starts with a handoff on the wing.

And 4 takes 2's spot in the play as described in "Forward Clear".

Ball Screen

Another special entry into the offense features a two-man game between forward and the guard, and it looks a lot like the entry to the high-low offense (which we won't get into here). Rather than get into the 1-3-1 set, however, the center and weak side forward cut to the weak side block.

2 passes back to 1 and makes a weak side cut off the double screen, to keep the defense occupied and to create space on the strong side.

[img]http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3189/specialplays21iq6.jpg[/img]

4 sets the ball screen for 1.

Weakside Double

[img]http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/7458/specialplays22ax9.jpg[/img]

Very similar to "ball screen", is "weakside double". It's a misdirection play, this time to provide the forward with an isolated side with weakside action in the form of a double screen to keep the defense occupied. It begins as in the Guard-Guard-Forward play option range of the high post offense, except with the center and strong side guard forming a double screen on the weakside block.

[img]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4396/specialplays23nk4.jpg[/img]

1 fills the strong side guard spot and presents himself for a reversal pass as 3 uses the screens. The floor has been isolated for the forward to take his defender one-on-one.

And this concludes the UCLA High Post Offense, with several quick hitters. This pretty much concludes my additions to this thread, does anybody have any questions at this point before I bow out?

[BorisD]

Flare - Pick - Flare Pressure Release / Entry

For any offense to be successful, it has to use the personnel available to it in a manner best fitting them. The UCLA High Post offense is not really an offense that allows a lot of driving due to its strong-side hi-lo triangle formation, but suppose that your team had two guards and a forward that could penetrate well. It would behoove that team to use those strengths to their advantage. I was going through Rick Majerus' Encyclopedia of the 4-out/1-in Offense last week, and he presented a great option out of the 4-out/1-in passing game that I thought would work brilliantly both as an entry (if need be) or a pressure release.

Majerus' premise is that the Flare Screen is one of the most difficult actions in basketball to guard, it creates space and a defender playing close-out basketball, which usually is a ticket to sweep-and-drive, which usually gets you either an easy score or a trip to the free throw line. He presented a Flare-Pick-Flare scenario that features two screen-for-screener actions in sequence and leaves both guards with open sides of the floor to drive against, after which if there is no opportunity to drive, the offense goes into continuity. I've adapted this to the UCLA High Post offense continuity.

If you recall, the offense begins with the Guard-to-Guard pass, either going into the Guard-to-Guard-to-Center entry, or the Guard-Guard-Forward-Outside Cut or Guard-Guard-Forward-UCLA Cut entries. In this case, we will assume that the defense is overplaying 2 (who, for arguments' sake, is the team's best scorer) and the defense tends to trap the wing, making the dribble entry an unattractive option. As we discussed earlier, the UCLA offense at this point uses what is called the Guard Reverse to get a backdoor cut against an overplay, and to get into the continuity that way. But instead of flashing the weak side forward high and running the backdoor cut, we can have the weakside forward set a flare screen at the "nail" (the imaginary midcourt line and the free throw line's intersection point) and flare 2:

Now at this point, 1 dribbles over to create a better passing angle, and 4 holds the screen until 1 clears (or they opt not to do that, discussed below). After 1 clears, 4 lifts up to the high elbow position. 2 catches the ball with a completely open side of the floor and - if he sprinted hard enough on the flare screen and the screen was set properly - should have his defender playing close-out basketball. At this point, he just drives the close-out hard, looking to draw contact, finish at the basket, or drop the ball off to 5 or to the others who would drop into their designated spots on the drive-and-kick game (not illustrated here):

But let's assume the drive is not there, or 2's defender is able to deny the pass to 2 or the offense for whatever reason(s) doesn't want that. At this point, 1 makes the pass fake to 2 on the flare, then passes to 3 and sets a down screen for 4, in pick-the-picker action. Now, if the defense is switching, there is now a double-mismatch (1 on 4, 4 on 1) which is obviously a huge advantage for the offense - we'll discuss how to capitalize on that later.

It should be noted that in this case, 5 (who is still on the low block and has not made the cut to the high post, cuts across the key to further misdirect the defense, as though the action is going to the weak side and into the post. In reality, he's clearing out the strong side for the drive, though (but he has to sell that he's looking for the ball).

Now 3 has the ball, and hits 4 on the down screen, and then sets a flare screen for 1, in the second pick-for-picker action consecutively - with the defense lifted on the weak side.

The solution there, with the ball being on the second side of the floor and the defense focusing on the weak side and lifted away, is to drive the close-out.

If the drive still isn't there, 5 and 3 set a double staggered screen for 2, who looks either to get a catch and his shot coming off the screens, or just to lift and space the defense.

And in this case, 5 cuts to the high post, and 3 holds his spot to set the 4 options set:

Coach Wooden said that the offense was limited only by the creativity of the coach, who has to look to use his personnel wisely. I find, the more I play with this offense in my mind, the more robust it actually is - and am not surprised that the Utah Jazz are using this offense extensively now. And, for the record, Utah had the most efficient offense in the NBA last year...

This post has been edited by BorisD: Aug 26 2008, 03:36 PM