21 Basketball Plays Every Coach Should Know

Build a playbook around the situations your team faces. The examples below cover transition, half-court offense, zone attacks, inbounding and late-clock possessions.

These 21 actions cover transition, half-court offense, zone attack and special situations. Choose a small package that fits your players, then teach the reads and the reset for each one.

Transition Plays (1-3)

1. The Rim Runner

When to use it: After a made basket or rebound when your big man can run the floor.

How it works: Point guard pushes the ball up the right side. The center sprints the left lane to the rim. If the defense isn't back, hit the big for an easy layup. If the defense recovers, the center seals and the guard hits the trailing wing for a three.

Why it works: A rim runner can reach scoring position before the defense matches up. If the early pass is covered, flow into the half-court offense.

2. Drag Screen

When to use it: In early transition before the defense sets up.

How it works: As the point guard crosses half court, the trailing big sets a ball screen (the "drag"). The guard attacks downhill. The big rolls to the rim or pops for a mid-range jumper.

Why it works: The defense hasn't communicated their pick-and-roll coverage yet. You're attacking chaos.

3. Three-Lane Fill

When to use it: Every fast break opportunity.

How it works: Three players fill the three lanes, wide right, wide left, and the ball handler in the middle. The ball handler drives to the rim. If the defense commits, kick to either wing for an open three.

Why it works: Wide lanes make one defender cover more space. Attack a numbers advantage when it is there. If the defense gets matched, keep the spacing and enter the next action.

Half-Court Offense Plays (4-12)

4. Horns Entry (Pick and Roll)

When to use it: Your bread-and-butter half-court action.

How it works: Two bigs set up at the elbows (the "horns" formation). The point guard chooses a side and uses one big for a ball screen. The other big spaces to the three-point line or dives to the rim.

Why it works: It gives the ball handler a choice of which screen to use based on the matchup. You always attack the weaker defender.

5. The Chin Set (Princeton Offense)

When to use it: When you want to create backdoor cuts and open threes against aggressive defense.

How it works: Lee’s Chin starts with 5 on the ball-side block, forwards just above free-throw-line extended and guards above the elbows. The strong-side handoff and weak-side exchange lead to reversal from 3 to 4 to 2. As the ball leaves 4 for 2, 3 cuts off 5’s backscreen. 5 immediately flare-screens for 4.

Why it works: The wing receives two consecutive threats. First look to the backscreen cutter, then the player using the flare. If neither is available, use the set’s continuation.

6. Flex Screen

When to use it: Against man-to-man defenses, especially when you need post touches.

How it works: Baseline screen (the "flex screen") gets a player open on the block. After setting the screen, the screener receives a down screen and pops to the elbow for a mid-range shot.

Why it works: The flex cut and downscreen demand consecutive defensive decisions. Read switches and denial, and keep the next pass available if both scoring options are covered.

7. UCLA Cut

When to use it: To get a guard an easy basket inside.

How it works: Guard passes to the wing and cuts off a screen set by the high post player. If the guard is open on the cut, they get a layup. If not, the high post player pops out and the offense resets.

Why it works: Guards are rarely guarded in the post. This creates mismatches that defenses don't expect.

8. Floppy Action

When to use it: To get your best shooter an open look.

How it works: One shooter starts under the basket. Three teammates create a single screen on one side and a double or staggered screen on the other. The fifth player has the ball at the top. The shooter chooses a route based on the defender.

Why it works: The shooter can choose a route that fits the defender’s position. The passer must read any switch or help that takes away the first catch.

9. Spain Pick and Roll

When to use it: Your money play for late-game situations.

How it works: Standard ball screen, but as the screener rolls, a third player sets a back screen on the defender guarding the roller. It creates a wide-open roll to the basket.

Why it works: Even NBA teams struggle to guard this. The back screen on the help defender eliminates rim protection.

10. Dribble Handoff (DHO)

When to use it: When your shooter needs help getting open.

How it works: Big man catches at the elbow, the shooter sprints toward them and takes a dribble handoff. The big slips to the basket after the handoff.

Why it works: It's a two-man game that creates either a pull-up jumper for the shooter or a layup for the big man on the slip.

11. Elevator Doors

When to use it: To free a shooter for a catch-and-shoot three.

How it works: Two bigs stand side by side at the free throw line. A shooter runs between them from behind, and the bigs close together (like elevator doors) to create a wall. The shooter catches and shoots.

Why it works: The pair can delay a trailing defender. The screeners must establish legal positions before contact. A switch or top-side denial can still take away the catch.

12. Pass and Screen Away

When to use it: When you want continuous ball movement and player movement.

How it works: Pass and screen away. Every time you pass, you set a screen for someone on the opposite side. Simple rule, infinite possibilities.

Why it works: It teaches players to play without the ball and creates constant defensive rotations. The longer the possession goes, the more likely someone gets open.

Zone Offense Plays (13-16)

13. 1-3-1 Overload

When to use it: Against any 2-3 zone.

How it works: In a 1-3-1 offensive spacing, use a top player, two wings, a high post and a baseline player. Move the baseline player to the ball side to create a wing, high-post and short-corner triangle. Read which defender covers each threat, and reverse if the zone closes those passes.

Why it works: Zones work by outnumbering ball-side. An overload flips that advantage to the offense.

14. High Post Flash

When to use it: Against a 2-3 zone when you need a reliable scoring action.

How it works: Center flashes to the free throw line, the soft spot of every 2-3 zone. The guards feed the high post. From there, the center can shoot the mid-range, hit a cutter, or dump to the low post.

Why it works: A high-post catch makes the zone adjust inward. Read the middle defender and the weak-side help before choosing a shot, cut or pass out. The area can be defended.

15. Skip Pass Attack

When to use it: When the zone shifts too aggressively to the ball.

How it works: Make two passes to one side, pulling the zone with it. Then throw a skip pass (cross-court) to the opposite corner for a wide-open three.

Why it works: A skip can make a defender cover a long closeout. Read the flight path first, and have the receiver ready to shoot, drive or pass as the closeout arrives.

16. Short Corner Fill

When to use it: Against a 3-2 or 1-3-1 zone.

How it works: Move a player behind the low defenders toward the short corner when the passing angle is open. A catch can force the back line to turn or rotate. Read the rim, high post and perimeter rather than assuming that area is unguarded.

Why it works: A baseline catch changes the zone’s sight lines and help responsibilities. The defense can still rotate to it, which is why the next pass matters.

Out-of-Bounds Plays (17-19)

17. Box Stack (Baseline OOB)

When to use it: Baseline out-of-bounds, need a quick two.

How it works: Start with two players at the blocks and two at the elbows. A low player can screen up for an elbow player cutting to the rim. Follow with a screen for the first screener. Define a safety pass and teach the routes in order.

Why it works: The cross-screens create confusion and switching. Someone always gets free.

18. Line Stack (Sideline OOB)

When to use it: Sideline out-of-bounds.

How it works: Four players line up in a single file at the free throw line. On the slap, they scatter in four different directions. The inbounder hits whoever is most open.

Why it works: Separate routes give the inbounder more than one target. Denial and switching can cover those routes, so keep a safety and meet the pass.

19. Lob Play (Baseline OOB)

When to use it: When you need a high-percentage two-pointer.

How it works: The inbounder passes to a perimeter safety and steps onto the court. A teammate sets a legal backscreen for the inbounder cutting to the basket. Throw the return lob only if both the cutter and the passing lane are open.

Why it works: Teams forget about the inbounder the moment the ball is in play.

Last-Shot / Clutch Plays (20-21)

20. Spread Pick and Roll (Isolation)

When to use it: Last shot of the quarter/game.

How it works: Clear out to one side. Your best player gets a ball screen with three shooters spaced on the weak side. Attack, score, or kick out for three.

Why it works: Spacing can lengthen the help rotation. The handler must still read the screen defenders and the low helper before shooting or passing.

21. Double Stagger Three (Buzzer Beater)

When to use it: Trailing by three, last possession.

How it works: Two staggered screens for your best three-point shooter. They catch at the top of the key with momentum, squared to the basket, ready to fire.

Why it works: Two staggered screens can create separation for a shooter. Practice the route with the actual clock, inbound location and defensive coverage. The action does not guarantee a catch before the buzzer.

Build Your Complete Playbook

Choose a small group of these plays that fits your team. Teach how to enter each play, what to read and how to continue when the first option is covered.

If you want a complete offensive system that ties these concepts together with reads, counters, and practice plans, I built exactly that.

The Princeton Offense System → covers every series, every counter, and every practice plan you need. 103 pages. Video walkthroughs. Instant access.

Over 500 coaches in 12 countries trust it. Get the system →

Coach Lee DeForest has 25 years of basketball coaching experience. He is the founder of Florida Coastal Prep and creator of the Princeton Offense coaching system.