Hoops Beyond the Huddle Vol. 07

FC Barcelona: Post Pin Down

Author

Keevan Veinot
December 07, 2023

Welcome to the seventh issue of Hoops Beyond the Huddle!

This week we are taking a look at a unique but simple set designed for a stretch 5 to get an open shot from the top of the key. This clip comes from FC Barcelona during week 11 action of the Euroleague.

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 Post Pin Down.

What I am deeming as Post Pin Down, was a set Barcelona drew up to start the second half. The set gets a post touch for misdirection, and a screen for the 5 to get a shot from the top of the key. Simple action, simple shot - as some actions should be.

We start the set with the 1 bringing the ball up the floor. The 2 is on the wing and 4 is at the top of the key. Both the 3 and 5 are in low post positions. The 4 sets a screen for the 2 who Iverson cuts to the opposite wing and receives the pass (action 1).

After the 1 passes to the 2, they cut away from the ball. The 4 cuts to the opposite corner after setting the screen. The 5 sets a cross screen for the 3 to receive the ball on the post (action 2).

action 1 // action 2

As the 3 receives the ball, the 1 cuts over the top and to the strongside wing looking for the ball. This player is not the intended target, but used as a decoy to open up space in the middle of the court. The 2 cuts into the key and sets a pin down screen on the defender of the 5 (action 3).

The 5 cuts off the screen set from the 2, and the 3 delivers the pass for the shot (action 4). This set is drawn up for Jan Vesely, who is a lethal mid range shooter.

action 3 // action 4

Something to Note:

Having a stretch 5 is a unique competitive advantage as a team. Not only can they stretch the floor, but they are also tough to guard in Pick n Pop situations. In this set, the advantage Barcelona exploits is the unfamiliarity of the 5 guarding off ball screens. As you can see in the clip, the defender of the 5 stands behind the screen and contests from afar. Interesting contest but I get the merit.

They also give the ball to the 3 on the post, and not the 4. This might seem inadvertent, but was a minor intentional detail. By having the 3 on the low post, the 5 is under the rim in a help position and not close to the 5. This creates more space and time for the shot to be open.

Key Terms & Definitions:

Iverson: cut from wing to wing with post setting screen

Cross Screen: off ball screen for player to cut horizontally towards ball

Pin Down Screen:  off ball screen for player to cut from baseline to perimeter

Corner: location on court where the baseline and sideline meet

Wing: location on court where foul line extended meets 3 point line

Low Block: location on court that is closest to the rim but outside the key (painted rectangle)

That’s this week’s playbook breakdown! Try it out in one of your upcoming games to start a quarter, and let me know how it goes for your team.

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Cheers,

Keevan

Founder of Hoops Beyond the Hud