Hoops Beyond the Huddle Vol. 12

Welcome to the twelfth issue of Hoops Beyond the Huddle!

This week we’re taking a look at Euroleague powerhouse, Real Madrid. Madrid ran this set after a made basket to get a high quality look. We start off with some off ball movement before coming off an empty side pin down. This play comes from week 24 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 4 Down.

Action 1

This set starts with a 5 out spacing since Madrid is running this set after a made basket. The 5 is trailing the play, and floor general- Facundo Campazzo calls 4 Down. We start with the 4 in the weak side corner and the 2 on the weak side wing.

The 5 sets a pin down screen on the 3 in the strongside corner. The 3 comes off and receives the pass from the 1. The 2 walks his defender down near the baseline.

Action 2

The 3 hands the ball back to the 1 and clears out to the weak side wing spot. The 2 cuts hard across the key to come off a pin down screen set by the 5 on the low block. The 3 recognizes that his defender is trailing, so he curls. Any read off this screen is live.

Action 3

The 1 passes the ball to the 2 on the move. The 2 maintains the advantage he created with the screener, by dribbling into the paint. The defender of the 5 shows to help, which is the queue for the 5 to slip to the rim. The 2 lobs the ball up for a dunk.

Key Points

Although this action is simple, it creates many opportunities for players to make reads. The point of this specific set was to clear out the paint and play a two-man game.

When the 2 starts on the baseline, his defender is the only defender in the paint. When he cuts and takes his man with him, it creates a huge opportunity. When the 3 comes over to the weak side after the handoff, it creates enough movement for the defender who should be on the wall, to stay looking forward and not rotate. By the time he means to, it’s too late.

A good action to add onto this set is a hammer screen set by the 4 on the 3. If the defender were to rotate, the 4 would simply set a screen on his own defender and the 3 would drift to the corner who would be wide open for the shot.

That’s this week’s playbook breakdown! Stay up to date with Hoops Beyond the Huddle by subscribing to the newsletter. Please reach out if you have any thoughts, ideas or want to talk. Any feedback is appreciated.

Cheers,

Keevan

Founder of Hoops Beyond the Huddle