Hoops Beyond the Huddle Vol. 13

Fenerbahce: 2 Side

Author

Keevan Veinot
February 08, 2024

Welcome to the 13th issue of Hoops Beyond the Huddle

This week we’re taking a look at the top team from Istanbul, Turkey - Fenerbahce. After a mediocre start to the season, management fired Fenerbahce’s head coach and hired Euroleague (player and coach) legend, Sarunas Jaskikevicius. Since this decision, Fenerbahce has changed things around and are currently sitting in the sixth seed. 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 2 Side.

This set starts off in a square formation - with the 4 and 2 near the elbows and the 5 and 3 on the low blocks. The 4 sets a cross screen for the 2 to receive the ball on the wing. The 5 sets a cross screen for the 3. The 1 passes to the 2 (action 1).

After the 2 gets the ball, they make the post entry to the 3. After setting the cross screen, the 5 spaces to the weak side short corner. The 1 spaces to the weak side wing (action 2).

action 1 // action 2

The 4 circles up and sets a flare screen to the 2. This action is live if the defender does not fight over the screen. The 5 is staying low and the 1 is at the weak side wing. There is plenty of space for the 2 to get a ball for the shot or the curl (action 3).

In this particular set, the defender does fight over the screen. The 2 sets up the defender. The 4 flips and rescreens for the 2. The 2 comes off the screen and curls towards the corner. The 3 lunges out (should be a dribble) and pitches the ball to the 2 for a grenade action. Although the more open read was to the 4 at the top since his defender switched onto the cutter.

action 3 // action 4

The 2 gets the ball in the corner and his defender is lost. The defender of the 3 flies out to contest. The 2 patiently waits, and shoots once that defender is out of sight (action 4).

Key Terms & Definitions:

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

Grenade: DHO from low post

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

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)

Short Corner: baseline area between key and 3-point line

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 Hud