Hoops Beyond the Huddle Vol. 10

Real Madrid: Fist Down

Author

Keevan Veinot
January 10, 2024

Welcome to the tenth issue of Hoops Beyond the Huddle!

To start off the new year, we’re taking a look at a high pace play from Real Madrid. Currently sitting with a record of 18-2 in Euroleague and 16-1 in Liga ACB (top Spanish league), there is no better team to breakdown. This play is coming from round 18 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 Fist Down.

Real Madrid called this set “one”, but for simplicity, I am calling it fist down. This set is run by numerous teams and each team has their own play call for it. The set starts in a typical horn set. Madrid gets a paint touch out of it, and plays off the advantage for a lob. Let’s explain how:

The 1 starts the set by running his defender off a step up screen set by the 4. After the 4 sets the screen, he runs off a flare screen set by the 5 (action 1).

The 1 changes directions, and comes off a screen set by the 5. The 5 slips to the low post. The 1 passes the ball to the 2 in the strongside corner. The 4 cuts as the 1 comes off the screen and relocates in the corner. The 3 fills the spot on the wing (action 2).

action 1 // action 2

The 5 receives the ball on the post from the 2. The 2 then cuts to the elbow to set a screen for the 1. The 1 comes off the screen just inside the 3-point line. The 2 pops out after setting the screen (action 3).

The 5 starts to dribble up the slot and meets the 1 for an uphill DHO - this action is known as a grenade. After handing off, the 5 curls to the rim and the 1 throws a lob. At this time, not a single defender is in the key. The 5 catches the ball and finishes over the late rotation (action 4).

action 3 // action 4

Key Terms & Definitions:

Horns Set: alignment where guards are in corner, posts at elbow and ball handler at top

Step Up Screen: ball screen with screeners back towards baseline (often set at slot)

Flare Screen: off ball screen for player to cut along perimeter away from ball

DHO (dribble handoff): player dribbles toward teammate and handsoff ball

Grenade: DHO from low post

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! This action has become more mainstream in North America recently but has been utilized in Europe for sometime now. It is unfamiliar for defenses to have to defend an action like this below the foul line. The defender of the big has to show or hedge which creates an easy pocket pass to the 5.

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Cheers,

Keevan

Founder of Hoops Beyond the Huddle