Basic definition
The 1-4 high offense is a basketball offensive strategy that primarily utilizes the high post as well as the wing areas to create one or more scoring opportunities, typically with a variety of basketball cuts and/or basketball screens.
Example of initial 1-4 high alignment
This is an example of the initial alignment for the 1-4 high offense.
In essence, there is one offensive player at the top area of the court and four additional offensive players set up across the wings and high post elbow areas respectively.
On the diagram above as well as subsequent diagrams below, the offensive players are shown as numbers, which are generally represented by the standard basketball positions, unless otherwise stated.
So, 1 is the point guard, 2 is the shooting guard, 3 is the small forward, 4 is the power forward, and 5 is the center.
Generally speaking, in the most typical formation of the 1-4 high offense, the point guard will initiate the plays at the top while the shooting guard fills one particular wing, the small forward occupies the opposite wing, the power forward fills one particular high post elbow area, and the center occupies the other high post elbow area.
Nevertheless, it is possible for the players to switch locations during any particular set. For example, a shooting guard might initially occupy a high post elbow while a power forward fills a wing area.
1-4 high basketball plays
These are examples of different types of basketball plays for the 1-4 high offense. These particular sets seek to create high percentage scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court.
Ball screen plays
Here are examples of ball screen plays within 1-4 high offense, which contain different sets in reference to pick and roll and/or pick and pop actions.
Example 1 – Part 1: Iverson cut
This is an example of a 1-4 high play that features an Iverson cut among other actions such as pick and roll.
Prior to the offensive action, 1 has possession of the ball at the top, represented by the black dot, while the other four players set up across the wings and high post elbows.
To start the play, 3 moves across from the left side wing to the right side wing via the Iverson cut as well as by way of a pair of high post screens set by 4 and 5.
Additionally, as that happens, 2 cuts through via the baseline to the left side corner.
Afterwards, 3 receives the ball from 1 while 4 pops out to fill the vacant left side wing and 5 stays near the middle of the high post area.
Example 1 – Part 2: Back screen
Next, 1 cuts to the basket by way of a back screen set by 5. From there, 1 could possibly receive the ball from 3 if that is open.
Otherwise, 1 cuts through to the right side corner.
Example 1 – Part 3: Side pick and roll
Following the Iverson cut and the back screen, 2 could dribble towards the high post and attack the rim via the on-ball screen that is set by 5, which is also a side pick in this instance.
What’s more, as 3 drives to the basket, 1 could perform shake action by moving up to the right side wing area from the right side corner.
From that point, 3 could score at the rim, take the mid-range shot, or pass the ball to any of the other teammates depending on whoever is open to receive it.
Example 2 – Part 1: Through cut
This is an example of a play that demonstrates through cuts as well as ball screens within 1-4 high offense.
It is derived from Great Pick and Roll Plays by Lason Perkins.
To start, 1 executes a dribble entry towards the left side wing area and as that happens, 2 cuts through to the right side corner while 3 cuts through to the left side corner.
Example 2 – Part 2: Side pick and wide pin down
Next, 1 dribbles toward the top via the side pick set by 4 who also replaces at the vacated left side wing area.
Additionally, as that happens, 2 cuts to the right side wing via the wide pin down screen set by 5 and receives the ball from 1.
What’s more, after setting the off-ball screen, 5 remains near the corner just inside of the three-point line for the time being.
Example 2 – Part 3: Step-up screen
Continuing with the play, 2 dribbles toward the baseline via the step-up screen set by 5 who also rolls to the basket.
Afterwards, 5 could receive the ball from 2 and score around the rim via a layup or dunk. Conversely, 1 could keep possession of the ball for a mid-range shot as well.
Also, if 5 receives the ball but one or more off-ball defenders sag deep into the lane to provide help defense, then 5 could possibly throw a kick pass to one of the other teammates near perimeter areas of the court, which could lead to three-point shot opportunities.
High post plays
These are examples of plays within the 1-4 high offense that focus on passing the ball into the high post, ultimately to create scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court.
Example 1 – Part 1: Handoff option
This is an example of a play within the 1-4 high offense that features a handoff option among additional actions.
To begin, 1 passes the ball with 4 as the receiver, represented by the dotted arrow and then 1 immediately follows that pass.
Afterwards, 1 could receive the ball back from 4 via a handoff, represented by the double pipe symbol.
From there, 1 could dribble to the basket, shown by way of the wavy arrow, and then attempt to score around the basket.
However, if 1 is not open to receive the ball, then 1 could simply continue the cut through to the left side low post area, shown via the gray arrow.
Example 1 – Part 2: DHO and stagger screen
Next, 4 executes dribble handoff (DHO) action with 2 who receives the ball and dribbles it toward the top.
Also, while that occurs, 1 cuts to the right side wing via a stagger screen set by 5 and 3.
Following that, 1 could receive the ball and take the three-point shot if that is available.
However, if the shot is not there, then 5 fills the left side low post area while 3 cuts out to the right side corner.
Example 1 – Part 3: Ram and side pick and roll
Continuing on, 2 cuts down towards the low post area to set a ram screen with 5 as the recipient. From there, 5 uses that screen to set a side pick with 1 as the recipient while 2 fills the left side corner.
1 dribbles toward the high post area while 5 rolls to the basket and 3 executes shake action by lifting back up to the right side wing.
Following that, 1 could take the mid-range shot or pass the ball to one of the other teammates for additional scoring opportunities.
Example 2 – Part 1: Backdoor
This is an example of a play that features a backdoor cut among other actions within the 1-4 high offense.
To start, 5 receives the ball and then 3 backdoor cuts to the basket. If open, 3 could receive the ball from 5 and score via a layup or dunk.
If 3 is not open, then 3 simply continues the cut through to the left side corner while 1 fills the vacant right side wing area.
Example 2 – Part 2: DHO and stagger
Next, 5 performs a dribble handoff with 1 and as that happens, 3 cuts toward the extended slot between the top and wing via the stagger screen set by 2 and 4.
Also, 5 rolls to the basket following the handoff and 1 dribbles toward the high post area.
From there, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score around the basket or 3 could receive it instead for a three-point shot opportunity.
Example 3 – Part 1: Backdoor
Here is yet another high post play that features a backdoor cut as well as other offensive actions within the 1-4 high set.
It is derived from The Kentucky 1-4 High Offense by Tubby Smith.
To start, 5 receives the ball from 1, which then leads to a backdoor cut by 2 who could receive the ball if that is open.
Otherwise, 2 simply fills the right side low post area for the time being.
Example 3 – Part 2: Handoff
Next, 1 takes a step towards 4 to set up the defender before cutting back towards 5 to receive a handoff.
After that, 1 dribbles back out to the right side wing area within the space previously occupied by 2.
Following that, if 2 has the ability to score near the basket via low post moves, then 2 could receive the ball from 1.
Example 3 – Part 3: Side pick and stagger screen
If 2 does not receive the ball, then 1 dribbles toward the high post area via a side pick that is set by 5 who also rolls to the rim.
As that action happens, 2 cuts through to the top, particularly near the left side slot area via a stagger screen set by 3 and 4.
Following that, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and take a close-range shot around the basket.
Alternatively, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take a three-point shot if that is open.
Moreover, as a third scoring option, 1 could simply keep the ball and raise up for a mid-range jump shot if that is available.
Example 4 – Part 1: Back screen
This is an example of a 1-4 high set that features a back screen alongside other actions.
To begin, 5 receives the ball from 1 who then cuts to the basket via the back screen set by 4.
If open, 1 could receive the ball from 5 to score around the rim. Otherwise 1 cuts through to the left side corner while 2 moves to the right side corner.
Example 4 – Part 2: DHO and wide pin down
Next, 5 executes dribble handoff action with 3 who then dribbles the ball towards the high post area while 5 rolls to the basket and 1 shakes up toward the empty left side wing.
Also, as that happens, 2 cuts toward the right side wing via the wide pin down screen set by 4 who fills the vacant right side corner as well.
From that point, 3 could take the mid-range shot or pass to one of the other teammates for additional scoring opportunities.
Quick hitter plays
These are examples of quick hitter plays within the 1-4 high offense that use a brief number of passes, cuts, screens, or dribble actions to create one or more scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court.
Example 1: UCLA
This is a very simple quick hitter within a 1-4 high set that could potentially result in an easy layup for the play initiator.
At the start, 1 dribbles once or twice towards the right slot area. Next, 3 receives the ball from 1 who then utilizes the UCLA cut and screen to get open near the basket.
Afterwards, 1 receives the ball again from 3 and scores a layup.
Example 2: Back screen
Here is yet another basic 1-4 high quick hitter that is somewhat similar to the previous example.
To begin, 4 receives the ball from 1 who then cuts to the basket via the back screen set by 5.
Following that, 1 receives the ball from 4 and scores by way of a layup at the rim.
Example 3: Triple
This is a simple 1-4 high quick hitter that could potentially result in a scoring opportunity for the point guard.
To start, 1 executes a dribble handoff with 2 who also dribbles the ball back towards the top.
Additionally, as 2 dribbles, 1 cuts through to the right side wing via triple screens set by 4, 5, and 3.
Following that, 1 could receive the ball from 2 and take the three-point shot.
Example 4: Triple baseline runner
This is a wrinkle of the previous 1-4 high quick hitter, which could lead to a scoring opportunity for one of the team’s best perimeter shooters.
To begin, 3 receives the ball from 1 and immediately afterwards, 1 cuts down the middle and then towards the left side low post area.
As 1 approaches the low post area, 2 runs the baseline to the right side corner via triple screens set by 4, 1, and 5.
From there, 2 receives the ball from 3 and takes the three-point shot.
Additional info about the 1-4 high offense
General advantages
One particular advantage of the 1-4 high offense is that it influences the low post players on defense away from the basket since the low post players on offense get positioned near the high post areas.
This could be very useful for undersized basketball teams, especially at the low post positions.
Furthermore, this could also result in potentially easier opportunities to score field goals near the rim by way of actions such as backdoor cuts or high post back screens.
Another potential advantage of the 1-4 high offense is that it could be very effective for guard-oriented teams via offensive actions such as the pick and roll, the stagger screen, or the flex screen.
These types of offensive sequences could produce multiple scoring options near the basket or near the mid-range/three-point range areas for those same guard-oriented teams.
Possible disadvantage
One possible disadvantage of the 1-4 high offense is that it may not be as efficient for teams that prefer to play through the low post. As mentioned previously, the 1-4 high alignment naturally pulls offensive post players away from the basket.
So if those same post players offensive skill sets rely on playing with their backs to the basket, particularly via a series of low post moves, then the 1-4 high offense may not be the most suitable choice in that case.
Teams that prefer to run their offense through highly skilled back-to-the-basket low post players would probably be better served executing offenses such as the 3 out 2 in motion offense or the triangle offense as notable examples.