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5 Out Backdoor Offense in Basketball

What is 5 out backdoor offense in basketball?

5 out backdoor offense consists of action, particularly a backdoor cut, that could be utilized to create a high percentage scoring opportunity near the basket within the overall 5 out motion strategy.

Essentially, 5 out backdoor offense could be implemented as a counter against a defender who is denying a pass or simply playing too high while trying to limit or completely prevent the typical perimeter-based passes that are a common part of the 5 out motion scheme.

The backdoor cut could be highly beneficial within the 5 out offense because the opposing defense has to try to guard two actions at once: the ball and the player who is cutting to the basket.

Furthermore, the backdoor cut works well within the general plan of 5 out because cutting to the rim is a frequent staple of the offense.

How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page

In reference to any diagrams below, each of the offensive and defensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions, unless otherwise noted.

In essence, 1 and X1 indicate the respective offensive and defensive point guards.

2 and X2 signify the respective offensive and defensive shooting guards.

3 and X3 denote the respective offensive and defensive small forwards.

4 and X4 designate the respective offensive and defensive power forwards.

5 and X5 represent the respective offensive and defensive center positions.

Moreover, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:

  • 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.

What is an example of 5 out backdoor offense vs. top to wing pass denial?

This is an example of 5 out backdoor offense that could be utilized as counter if a defender near a wing denies a pass that would be coming from the top.

Backdoor cut via dribble action that occurs because of top to wing pass denial by a defender.

In essence, 1 wants to pass the ball towards the right side wing to start the primary 5 out offensive action.

However, X3 denies that pass by standing in between 1 and 3 or by placing a hand in the passing lane.

Therefore, to counter that, 1 dribbles at 3. This is an automatic trigger in which 3 should take an initial step towards the ball and then backdoor cut to the basket. Afterwards, 3 could receive the ball and score at the rim via a layup.

Nonetheless, if 3 is not open, then 1 could continue to dribble towards the right side wing. At the same time, 2 and 4 could fill and replace at the top and left side wing, respectively.

Moreover, 3 could fill and replace at the left side corner.

From that point, 1 could continue executing the primary action, which comprises the 5 out pass and cut series or the 5 out pass and screen away series. 1 could also implement some other 5 out dynamic such as 5 out dribble attack/isolation action.

What is an example of 5 out backdoor offense vs. wing to corner pass denial?

This is an example of 5 out backdoor offense that could be implemented as a counter if a defender near a corner overplays a pass from the adjacent wing.

Backdoor cut as a counter against wing to corner pass denial by a defender.

For this case, 3 has possession of the ball and wants to pass towards the corner. However, X5 overplays that possible action and denies it.

Therefore, as a counter, 5 simply backdoor cuts straight to the rim, receives the ball from 3, and scores via a layup.

If it is not open though, then 5 could simply self-replace at the same corner. From there, 3 could pass back to the top and even cut to the basket as well.

What is an example of 5 out backdoor offense vs. corner to wing pass denial?

This is an example of 5 out backdoor offense that could be executed as a counter if a defender near a wing overplays a pass from the adjacent wing.

Backdoor cut as a counter against corner to wing pass denial by a defender.

For this case, 5 has possession of the ball in the corner and would like to pass it towards the adjacent wing. However, X3 overplays and denies that possible action.

As a result, 3 could simply backdoor cut to the basket, receive the ball from 5, and score points via a layup.

Conversely, 3 continues through to the left side corner if it is not open. As that happens, the other off-ball players fill and replace at the right side wing, top, and left side wing, respectively.

What is an example of 5 out backdoor offense vs. wing to top pass denial?

This is an example of 5 out backdoor offense that could be ran as a counter against a defender who is attempting to prevent a pass towards the top from a wing.

Backdoor cut as a counter against wing to top pass denial by a defender.

In this instance, 1 has already performed a basket cut but was not open. Therefore, 2 could initially fill and replace at the top.

However, X2 is trying to deny the potential pass back towards the top. As a result, 2 could cut towards the high post area instead of making the basic cut along the three-point line.

While that occurs, 4 fills and replaces at the left side wing while 1 fills and replaces at the left side corner.

From there, as X2 chases behind, 2 could backdoor cut to the basket, receive the ball from the 3, and score by way of a layup.

It should also be mentioned that in Open Post Offense by Lason Perkins, the cut towards the high post area from the wing is known as the read spot.

The general idea is for the player cutting from the wing to read their defender and then either pop towards the top to receive the ball if the defender is not denying the possible pass or backdoor cut if they are being overplayed.