What are 3 out 2 in quick hitters?
- 3 out 2 in quick hitters are comprised of a brief number of passing, cutting, and screening actions that could lead to a scoring opportunity.
- 3 out 2 in quick hitters are also based on an initial formation of three perimeter players as well as two interior players.
- The perimeter players are generally located near the top and wing areas, respectively.
- The interior players typically occupy the low post areas.
What are example demonstrations of 3 out 2 in quick hitters?
- 3 out 2 in quick hitters usually begin with a type of initial action; particularly a wing entry, dribble entry, or dribble handoff.
- From there, that initial action could be followed up by additional sets or options to produce scoring opportunities.
- The examples below demonstrate these concepts in greater detail, which also includes diagrams and key actions in bold text.
How to understand the diagrams and player roles via a brief legend
In reference to any diagrams below, each of the offensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions in number format, unless otherwise noted.
- 1 through 5: 1 through 5 represents the point guard (1), shooting guard (2), small forward (3), power forward (4), and center (5), respectively.
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double Pipe Symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
Example 1: Part 1
- Top to wing pass: 1 passes the ball from the top to the left side wing and 2 receives it.
- Back screen: As that happens, 4 lifts up towards the middle of the high post to set a back screen. 1 uses it and cuts to the basket.
- Scoring opportunity: 2 can essentially pass the ball back to 1 who can score via a layup at the rim.
- Fill cuts: If 1 is not open, then 1 can simply fill the vacant left side low post area. Also, 4 can fill the top after setting the back screen.
Example 1: Part 2
- Wing to top pass: 2 could pass the ball from the wing to the top, which can be received by 4.
- Triple screen: 2 could cut from the left side wing towards the right side via a triple screen set by 1, 5, and 3.
- Scoring opportunity: 2 could receive the ball from 4 and take the open three-point shot.
Example 2: Part 1
- Top to slot dribble: 1 dribbles from the top to the right slot.
- Lift to elbows: As 1 dribbles, 4 and 5 lift to the high post elbow areas.
- Weak side corner cut: As 1 dribbles and the post players lift to the elbows, 2 cuts to the adjacent left side corner.
- Slot to wing pass: 1 can pass the ball from the right slot to the adjacent right side wing, which can be received by 3.
- Back screen: 5 can set a back screen and 1 could use it to get open near the rim.
- Scoring opportunity: 3 can pass the ball to 1 who could score via a layup.
- Strong side corner cut: 1 can cut towards the strong side corner on the right side if they were not open.
Point of Emphasis: Timing
- 5 should not lift too early as that might alert their defender of the back screen before it occurs.
- This could either result in a switch or even 1’s defender becoming aware of the screen.
- Additionally, after executing the entry pass, 1 should time their cut properly by taking a step towards 3 as if to set a screen in that direction.
- The general idea is to get 1’s defender to play over the top so that 1 can’t face cut them.
- Afterwards, 1 cuts behind them and their defender will hopefully get caught on the screen.
Example 2: Part 2
- Pick and roll: 5 moves towards the right side wing to set a pick. 3 uses that and dribbles toward the middle of the high post. 5 also rolls to the basket.
- Wide pin down screen: As the pick and roll action happens, 4 moves to set a wide pin down screen. 2 uses that screen and cuts to the left side wing area.
- Pop action: After setting the wide pin down screen, 4 could pop towards the short corner area on the left side.
- Shake action: While all of the previous action happens, 1 could shake up from the right side corner to the adjacent wing.
- Scoring opportunities:
- 3 could pass to 5, which could lead to a high percentage layup or dunk at the rim.
- 3 could also pass to other teammates, which could result in potential three-point shot opportunities.
- 3 could always keep possession of the ball and simply take the mid-range shot. Also, if 3’s defender goes under the ball screen, then 3 could take a three-point shot instead.
Point of Emphasis: Ice defense quick counter
- There can be an instance where 3’s defender ices the ball screen by jumping above it. This is done to force 3 towards the baseline.
- When that occurs, 3 could counter by dribbling towards 1, which could trigger a quick backdoor cut from the corner.
- If 1 is open, then 3 could pass right then and there for a layup. However, if it’s not there, then 1 could simply hold near the adjacent low post area.
- Additionally, 5 could pop towards the elbow area or even behind the wing three-point line depending on their shooting capability.
- 3 could then throw a pitch back pass to 5 who could take the open jump shot.
- 2 and 4 could still continue running their actions to occupy the defense.
Example 3: Part 1
- Dribble entry: Starting off, 1 can begin with a dribble entry towards the right side wing area.
- Cut from wing to opposite corner: As 1 dribbles, that is a signal for 2 to cut through from the right side wing to the opposite left side corner, particularly via the baseline.
- Fill and replace: As the initial dribble and corner cut action happens, the other players can fill and replace certain spots.
- Specifically, 3 replaces at the top, 5 replaces at the left side wing, and 4 replaces at the left side low post area.
Example 3: Part 2
- Flex screen: 2 cuts to the basket via a flex screen set by 4.
- Flare screen: While 2 is cutting towards the basket, 3 can somewhat do the opposite and cut away from the ball via the flare screen set by 5.
- Passing options: 1 can pass inside the lane with 2 as the recipient. Alternatively, 1 can throw a skip pass across the court, which could received by 3.
- Scoring opportunities: If 2 receives the ball, then 2 can score via a layup at the rim. Otherwise, if 3 is the recipient, then 3 could take the open three-point shot.
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Related: 3-Out 2-In Motion Offense & Special Situations – Joe Wootten