Hoops Beyond the Huddle Vol. 17

Welcome to the 17th issue of Hoops Beyond the Huddle!

This week we’re taking a look at the top Lithuanian team, Zalgiris Kaunas. Zalgiris ran this set right off the jump (literally) and got an easy finish out of it. This play comes from week 26 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 Stagger Flare.

Zalgiris starts this action off with a stagger for the 2 set by the 4 and the 5. The 2 curls the first and sets an brush screen on the defender of the 4. The 3 cuts baseline and clears out (action 1).

The 4 comes off the top screen set by the 5 and receives the ball from the 1. The 2 cuts to the opposite side but not to the corner (action 2).

As the 4 came off the 5’s screen with an advantage, the 5 dives to the rim to get into rebounding position assuming a shot would go up.

After passing the ball to the 4, the 1 cuts off him for a handoff. The 5 cuts back up top to continue the set and set a spread ball screen for the 1.

The 2 lifts to set a flare screen for the 4 (action 3).

As the 1 goes off the screen set by the 5, the 4 goes off the flare set by the 2. The 5 rolls to the key where the 1 hits him on the roll. The defender of the 2/flare screen, steps in and shows little resistance. The 5 takes one dribble and goes up for the finish (action 4).

The 4 reads his defender stepping up and cuts to the rim (which was also open).

The Pro’s Insight

All reads in this set are live. If the 4 comes off open, he can shoot or drive. When starting games, some coaches will want to run a set to completion just to see how the opposing team will defend actions. If Zalgiris were to run this set again, all actions would be live.

This action was great to start off a game. The ball screen paired with a weak side flare screen is very challenging to defend. Usually on a ball screen that is going away from two defenders, they will load up the wall and try to take away the roll pass. By having the flare screen, it makes the defenders have to make a decision on who they will guard - the roller or the flare. Zalgiris made Red Star pay by being too close to their men and leaving the roller open.

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 sets you would like to see more of!

Cheers,

Keevan

Founder of Hoops Beyond the Huddle