Hoops Beyond the Huddle Vol. 06

Welcome to the sixth issue of Hoops Beyond the Huddle!

This week we are taking a look at an effective counter for a simple post up. Lithuanian top team, Zalgiris Kaunas was prepared and made Olympiacos pay for their coverage on the post up. This play is coming from week 10 of Euroleague action.

Watch the clip and we will break it down below.

There are definitions for all the actions explained in this newsletter, at the bottom. All words that are bolded in black can be found.

This action is called Diamond High Low.

Diamond is a common set in both American and European basketball. It is a set that is very distinguishable due to its unique starting position: a diamond (diamond starting position). Diamond has several different reads and actions you can play out of which makes the set very difficult to defend and keep defenders guessing.

The play starts with the 2 running off of a screen set from the 5 at the low block. The 2 receives the ball at the wing. The 3 reads what side the 2 goes off of, and fills opposite corner (action 1).

I think the objective of this set was to give the 5 the ball on the post up. Ideally, the 2 can throw in a simple pass and let the 5 go to work on the low block. However, as you can see in the video, when the 2 receives the ball, the defender of the 5 fronts the post. This makes the pass much more difficult as it would have to be lobbed over the defender. Furthermore, the defender of the 4 is standing in the middle of the paint anticipating this very pass.

Zalgiris counters this coverage perfectly. Immediately, the 5 seals his defender off on his high side. The 4 lifts from the low block to the elbow. Since the defender of the 4 is sitting in the paint waiting for the lob, the 4 is open at the elbow and the 2 makes the pass (action 2). 

As the 4 receives the ball, his defender has a decision to make. He could either stay sagged off, and let the 4 shoot an uncontested elbow jump shot, or step up and defend the shot, while leaving the back side of the 5 open. The 4 squares up and rises like it is going to be a shot, but lobs it to the 5 at the rim for the finish (action 3). 

What Zalgiris did is the most effective way to counter the post being fronted: a high low. The ball is passed to a man at the high post who has a better angle to pass it to the offender at the low post. It is very difficult to defend, especially if you have a strong 5 who is a high level sealer.

That’s this week’s playbook breakdown! I believe we will have to dive further into the Diamond Set but wanted to showcase the simplicity and effectiveness of the high low counter Zalgiris did. Stay tuned!

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Cheers,

Keevan

Founder of Hoops Beyond the Huddle