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Introduction

Hoop Student features offensive/defensive concepts including strategies, plays, and drills as well as other noteworthy insights within the game of basketball.

The section below contains brief details about newly published material and/or recently updated content throughout the site.

Additionally, more links can be found within the Offense and Defense web pages as well as within the Glossary.

Wing

The wing web page is published. It currently features basic information about the wing area as well as general information about traditional wing players. There are also a handful of basketball diagrams such as the one below.

A basketball diagram that shows a wing player setting a screen during split action.

A wing player executes a split cut, which could lead to scoring opportunities near the basket or beyond the three-point line.

2-3 zone offense

The first version of the 2-3 zone offense web page is available. It currently features a few plays such as the one below that can be utilized to attack the 2-3 zone defense.

A 2-3 zone offense play featuring dribble entry, ball reversal, and a baseline cut.

An offensive player runs the baseline against the 2-3 zone, which could lead to one or more scoring opportunities.

Small forward

The small forward web page has received an update, which now includes diagrams of offensive actions that could be utilized by the small forward such as the image below.

An example basketball diagram that shows a small forward executing a backdoor cut to get open

On the adjacent diagram, the small forward performs a backdoor cut to get open near the basket, which could lead to a possible scoring opportunity.

Give and go

The give and go web page has received an update, which includes new diagrams of various offensive actions such as the one below.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates give and go action featuring a pass from the top to the wing followed by a cut to the basket

In reference to the image above, an offensive player passes the basketball to their teammate, immediately cuts to the basket, and receives the ball again for a scoring opportunity near the rim, which completes the give and go sequence.

Roll and replace

The roll and replace web page has received an update, which currently includes basic examples such as the diagram below.

Roll and replace is a basketball tactic that occurs when one offensive player rolls towards the basket from a perimeter area of the court, particularly after setting an on-ball screen, while another offensive player replaces towards the perimeter from an area near the basket.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates roll and replace action via a basic high screen near the top area of the court

The diagram above demonstrates a player rolling to the basket after setting a pick while another player replaces around the perimeter area of the court, particularly near the top.

Reverse layup

The reverse layup web page has received a minor update. There are new images such as the one below that attempt to be a visual representation of an offensive player performing a reverse layup.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates a basic reverse layup with the left hand on the left side of the court

In reference to the diagram above, 1 dribbles toward the basket and executes a reverse layup on the opposite side of the backboard relative to their original location.

Shooting guard

The shooting guard web page has received a brief update. Essentially, there are new diagrams that demonstrate different actions that a shooting guard can utilize to score points such as the one below.

Example basketball diagram that shows a shooting guard setting a a cross screen and then following up by using a down screen to get open themselves

In reference to the image above, the shooting guard sets a cross screen and then uses a down screen, which could result in a three-point shot opportunity.

Off-ball screen

The off-ball screen web page is currently updated with new material, particularly new diagrams within the ‘Types’ section.

An off-ball screen consists of action that occurs when at least one offensive player sets a screen for another offensive player who does not have current possession of the basketball, ultimately to create a potential scoring opportunity near the basket or near perimeter areas of the court.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates a basic back screen with three offensive players on the court

Pressure defense

The pressure defense web page has received an update with new material, particularly in reference to man to man defense.

Pressure defense, in general, comprises basketball concepts that could be executed by one or more defenders in a full court or half court setting to disrupt offensive productivity which could lead to detrimental offensive results such as low quality shot attempts and/or turnovers.

Furthermore, pressure defense could potentially be effective because it could constrain at least one offensive player into executing undesirable actions that are not beneficial to them or the offensive team as a whole.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates on-ball pressure within man to man defense when an offensive player has possession of the basketball at the top

Split cut

A split cut occurs when a perimeter player passes the basketball to a post player and afterwards, that same perimeter player cuts away from the post player to set or use a screen that includes another nearby perimeter player.

The updated web page shows examples of basic split cuts as well as potential benefits and drawbacks of utilizing or not implementing the split cut.

Furthermore, there are also different examples of basketball plays that include the split cut within the overall offensive scheme such as the diagram below.

Basketball diagram that shows a post entry pass, split cut, and other actions

3-point basketball plays

The first version of 3-point basketball plays web page is published. It currently features plays from a 1-4 set as well as a 1-4 low set. However, more plays will be added over time to showcase various types of scoring options.

The diagram below shows an example of one of the 3-point plays.

Example basketball diagram that features dribble handoff action and a hammer screen

Power forward

The power forward web page is now updated with a variety of different images. More specifically, there are several diagrams that demonstrate different types of actions that the power forward could carry out on the basketball court, particularly as it relates to setting screens for other teammates.

The diagram below demonstrates one of the typical screening actions that could be executed by the power forward.

Example basketball diagram that shows the power forward setting a flare screen to help another teammate get open near the wing

Full court press

The full court press web page has received an update. The page contains basic information about the full court press as well as additional concepts such as the general advantages and disadvantages of implementing a full court press.

Additionally, there are a few example diagrams of full court press defenses such as the image below and more are planned for a later time.

Example basketball diagram of initial backcourt defensive pressure for the 1-1-2-1 press defense

Flare screen

The flare screen web page has received an update. The page consists of the general definition of the flare screen, basic flare screen examples, as well as general information on its effectiveness and a possible drawback to consider.

The diagrams are also revamped and there is a new spread play featuring the flare screen as showcased below.

Example basketball diagram that shows a flare screen and slip action within a spread play

1-1-3 zone defense

The 1-1-3 zone defense web page is updated. Essentially, there is new basic information about the 1-1-3 zone defense in addition to new diagrams of defensive rotations that feature pressure concepts and match-up principles.

At this time, the diagrams showcase examples of several possible defensive actions that can occur when the ball is at the top, on the wing, or in the corner.

There are also details on what can happen when the ball gets skipped from one side of the floor to the other or how defensive players could potentially react when an offensive player drives to the basket from the corner.

The diagram below gives a brief demonstration of defensive actions within the 1-1-3 zone.

Example basketball diagram of initial on-ball pressure within a 1-1-3 zone defense when an offensive player has possession of the basketball near the top

High post

The high post web page has received an update. There is new general information about the high post area alongside other related spots on the court as well as fresh basketball plays such as the diagram below.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates a high post play consisting of a wide pin down screen and curl cut from a Horns set

1-1-3 press defense

The 1-1-3 press defense web page has received a minor update. Most of the text was revised to provide more clarity on the basic concepts and there is a new section that briefly covers the general meaning behind the 1-1-3 numbering format. The image below showcases one of the updated diagrams.

Example basketball diagram of the 1-1-3 press that demonstrates initial defensive pressure that can occur in the backcourt

Basketball cuts

The basketball cuts web page has received an update. There are several new diagrams alongside a handful of plays and drills. The image below shows one of the new diagrams, which is an example of the slot cut.

Example basketball diagram that showcases a slot cut from the slot area to the basket

1-4 high offense

The 1-4 high offense web page has received an update. This includes new diagrams as well as new sections featuring different types of basketball plays such as the image below.

Basketball diagram that showcases a UCLA cut within 1-4 high offense

Horns offense

The Horns offense web page has received an update. There are new diagrams and the older plays have been redrawn to reflect the changes such as shown on the image below.

Basketball diagram that demonstrates a double flare and slip screen within Horns offense

Iverson Cut

The Iverson cut web page has received an update. There are currently new diagrams and plays such as the example below.

Basketball play diagram that showcases an Iverson cut by way of a 1-4 high initial setup

Pick and Pop: Concepts and Examples

The first version of the pick and pop web page is published. It currently contains basic information about pick and pop action including various simple examples such as the diagram below.

Example basketball diagram that showcases pick and pop action via a side screen between two players near the wing area

Perimeter: Basic Concepts and Examples

The perimeter web page has received a fresh update, which mainly includes general information about the perimeter areas, perimeter players, perimeter shots, as well as perimeter defense.

There are also various new diagrams that demonstrate basic examples of concepts associated with the perimeter in basketball.

Below is an example diagram that shows the typical perimeter areas on the basketball court.

Example basketball diagram that showcases the main perimeter areas on the basketball court

Pick and Roll: Basic Concepts and Examples

The first version of the pick and roll web page is published.

At this time, it currently features general information about the pick and roll such as the basic definition, alternative names for the pick and roll, as well as additional rules to consider in reference to pick and roll action.

There is also information about the various types of screens that could be utilized within pick and roll action such as the drag screen, which is shown via a diagram example below.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates a drag screen set near the slot in the half court

Low Post Series of Princeton Offense

The first version of the Low post series of Princeton offense web page is published.

It currently covers the primary areas of the court that could be occupied by players, the initial alignment, the most common initial action to trigger the Low Post series, as well as examples of scoring options.

The diagram below demonstrates one of the Low Post scoring options known as the Laker cut.

Basketball diagram demonstrating an example of a primary scoring option for the Low Post series consisting of a Laker cut

Point Series of Princeton Offense

The first version of the Point series of Princeton offense web page is published.

It currently features the initial actions that could be implemented to begin Point as well as examples of various scoring options within sub-series known as Point Away, Point Over, and Point Under.

The diagram below showcases one of the scoring options within Point Away, which includes screening action away from the ball as well as a rejection of that screen among other minor actions.

Example basketball diagram that demonstrates the screen away and screen rejection scoring option within the Point Away subset of the overall Point series

Chin Series of Princeton Offense

The first version of the Chin series of Princeton offense web page is published.

It currently comprises the general rules, components, and initial setup for the Chin series. In addition, the web page also features examples of primary and secondary actions as well.

The diagram below showcases one of the main scoring options within Chin, which is possible by way of a back screen near the high post area.

Example basketball diagram demonstrating a back screen within the primary actions of the Chin series