Baseline Out of Bounds Plays in Basketball

Table of Contents

What is a baseline out of bounds play in basketball?

A baseline out of bounds play features one player who will inbound the basketball by standing near the baseline on the opposite side of the basket and four additional players within the boundaries of the court.
The general objective is to execute different offensive actions to create potential scoring opportunities at the rim or near perimeter areas of the court.

What are example demonstrations of baseline out of bounds plays?

Baseline out of bounds plays could comprise several sets, particularly from the box series, stack series or zone offense series. The examples below demonstrate these concepts in greater detail, which also includes diagrams and key actions in bold text.

How to understand the diagram examples 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 offensive 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.

Box Series

Example 1

Cut to corner: 1 cuts to the left side corner via the screens set by 3 and 4.
Cut to basket: 3 cuts to the basket via the back screen set by 5.
Scoring opportunities: 1 could receive the ball and take the open jump shot or 3 could receive it instead and score near the basket.

Example 2: Part 1

An example of a cross screen and high post screen within a box series baseline out of bounds play.

Cut to corner: 1 cuts to the left side corner via the cross screen set by 5.
Cut to wing: At the same time, 3 cuts to the left side wing via the high post screen set by 4.
Scoring opportunity: 1 receives the ball from 2 and can take the jump shot if open.
Corner to wing pass: If 1 is not open, then 1 could swing the ball to 3 near the adjacent wing.
Fill cuts: Also, after setting the screens, 4 cuts to the top while 5 cuts to the right side low post area.

Example 2: Part 2

An example of a pin down screen within a box series baseline out of bounds play.

Wing to top pass: 3 passes the ball to 4 at the top.
Pin down screen: As that occurs, 2 cuts to the right side wing via the pin down screen set by 5.
Jump shot scoring option: 2 could receive the ball from 4 and take the open jump shot.
Low post scoring option:Alternatively, 5 could receive the ball instead near the low post area after setting the screen and score via a low post move.

Example 3: Part 1

An example of an elevator screen within a box series baseline out of bounds play.

Cut to corner via elevator screen: 1 cuts to the left side corner via elevator screen set by 3 and 5.
Scoring opportunity: 1 could receive the ball from 2 and take the open three-point shot.
Fill cuts: If 1 is not open, then 3 can cut to the top while 5 cuts to the right side mid-post area.

Example 3: Part 2

An example of a stagger screen and corner ball screen within a box series baseline out of bounds play.

Dribble action via corner ball screen: 1 dribbles toward the free throw line area via the corner ball screen set by 3.
Cut to wing via stagger screen: At the same time, 2 cuts to the right side wing via the stagger screen set by 4 and 5.
Jump shot scoring options: 1 could take the open mid-range jump shot. Alternatively, 1 could pass the ball to 2 who could take the open three-point shot.

Example 4: Part 1

An example of a corner cut via a lane screen within a box series baseline out of bounds play.

Corner cut via screen: 1 cuts to the right side corner via the screen set in the lane by 4.
Fill cuts: Immediately afterwards, 4 cuts to the right side wing while 3 pops out to the right slot area.
Scoring opportunity: 1 could receive the ball from 2 and take the open three-point shot.

Example 4: Part 2

An example of a back screen and rim cut within a box series baseline out of bounds play.

Basket cut via back screen: Assuming 1 did not take the shot, 5 cuts to the basket via a back screen set by 2 who steps on the court after the inbound pass.
Scoring opportunity: 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score via a layup at the rim.
Fill cut: 5 can simply cut to the right side low post area if the previous scoring opportunity was not available.

Example 4: Part 3

Elevator screen: 3 and 4 could cut towards the lane to set an elevator screen.
Scoring opportunity: 2 could use the elevator screen, cut towards the right side wing, receive the ball from 1, and take the three-point shot.

Stack Series

Example 1

Basket cut via back screen: 5 cuts to the basket via the back screen set by 3.
Corner cut via back screen: At the same time, 1 cuts to the right side corner via the back screen set by 4.
Scoring opportunities: 5 could receive the ball from 2 and score near the basket. Alternatively, 1 could receive the ball instead and take the open jump shot.

Example 2

An example of a stagger screen alongside screen the screener action within a stack series baseline out of bounds play.

Cut to corner via stagger screen: 3 cuts to the left side corner via the stagger screen set by 4 and 5.
Basket cut via back screen: Afterwards, 5 cuts to the basket via the back screen set by 2.
Scoring opportunities: 1 could pass the ball to 3 who could score via an open corner three-point shot. Alternatively, 1 could pass to 5 who could score at the rim.

Zone Offense Series

Example 1

Cross cuts: 5 cuts across to the right side low post. At the same time, 4 cuts across to the left side low post.
Corner cuts: Afterwards, 2 cuts down to the left side corner while at the same time, 3 cuts down to the right side corner.
Scoring opportunities: 1 can pass the ball to any teammate who is open for a scoring opportunity.
- Note: The reason this could be effective is because the three backside defenders in particular, who are X3, X4, and X5, would now have the task of trying to guard four offensive players. Therefore, in theory, someone should be open.

Example 2

An example of screens and players cutting into gaps within a zone offense series baseline out of bounds play.

Corner cuts: 2 cuts to the right side corner via the screens set by 4 and 5. Also, 1 cuts to the left side corner.
Low post fill cut: After setting the screen, 5 cuts to the left side low post area.
Scoring opportunities: 1 or 2 could receive the ball and take three-point shots if open. Alternatively, 5 could receive the ball instead and score near the basket.
- Note: This can be potentially effective because the zone defenders have to determine what to possibly give up; the high percentage shot near the basket or an open three-point shot on either side.