What is a backdoor cut in basketball?
A backdoor cut occurs when an off-ball player moves towards the basket by swiftly cutting behind a defender, ultimately to get open, receive the ball, and score at the rim.
The backdoor cut could be executed with an angled quick step to set up the defender followed by a cut towards the rim or via a straight cut to the rim behind the defender.
What are example demonstrations of the backdoor cut?
The backdoor cut features off-ball players cutting to the basket behind their respective defenders who are usually overplaying too high or denying a potential pass.
Additionally, a player in possession of the ball could signal the backdoor cut with a dribble-at action or via a simple reading of the defense.
The examples below demonstrate these concepts, which also includes diagrams, videos, and key actions in bold text.
How to understand the diagrams and player roles
In reference to any diagrams below, each of the offensive and defensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions, in number format or alphanumeric style unless otherwise noted.
Essentially, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- 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.
- X1 through X5: X1 through X5 indicates the defensive point guard (X1), shooting guard (X2), small forward (X3), power forward (X4), and center (X5), 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.
Basic
A player could execute a basic backdoor cut from the wing or corner area of the court and score via a layup at the rim, particularly during the initial phase of offensive execution.
Straight cut from wing
- Denial: X2 denies a potential pass from the top to the wing.
- Backdoor cut: As a result, 2 backdoor cuts behind X2 straight to the rim.
- Scoring opportunity: 1 passes the ball towards the basket, which is received by 2. From there, 2 scores via a high-percentage layup.
When to generally use
- In general, the straight backdoor cut from the wing can be used anytime the defender is overplaying the lane to disrupt the top-to-wing pass opportunity.
- It can be especially beneficial as a counter to wing entry pass denial that would be utilized to initiate an offensive set.
Point of emphasis: Speed
- Since the straight backdoor cut doesn’t use a quick step to set-up the denying defender, it’s generally most effective when used by a cutting player who has a speed advantage over the opposing defender.
Dribble at wing
- Deny/Overplay: X2 denies/overplays the potential slot to wing pass from 1 towards 2.
- Dribble at wing: As a result, 1 dribbles at the right side wing where 2 is located.
- Backdoor cut: The dribble at action is a signal or trigger for a quick step backdoor cut to the rim from 2.
- Scoring opportunity: 2 receives the ball from 1 while cutting to the basket, leading to a high percentage layup.
Point of emphasis: Timing
- 2 should time the quick step and backdoor, typically after 1 dribbles the ball at least one time. This can cause X2 to react as if 2 is trying to participate in a dribble handoff.
- From there, once 2 backdoor cuts, X2 probably will not have enough time to recover, which results in a scoring opportunity.
Point of emphasis: Bounce pass
- When executing the dribble at to backdoor action, 1 should typically throw a leading bounce pass so that 2 can easily receive it and score.
- In general, the bounce pass makes it more difficult for 1’s defender as well as the defender guarding 2 to deflect the pass.
Straight cut from corner
- High post entry: For this basic example, let’s say that 1 is in possession of the ball and performs a high post entry pass, which is received by 5.
- Corner defender plays too high: Let’s also say that once 5 receives the ball and faces up to the basket. From there, the corner defender X2 slides up a bit, maybe anticipating a potential drive from 5 or simply has a defensive lapse.
- Backdoor cut: As a result of X2 playing up too high, this leads to a straight backdoor cut to the rim by 2. In this case, X2 loses sight of their check/assignment and usually won’t have time to recover.
- Scoring opportunity: 2 receives the ball from 5 and takes the high percentage layup.
Point of emphasis: Lob pass
- In some instances, throwing a lob pass over the top of the defense could be highly useful for a player executing the corner backdoor cut.
- Essentially, throwing the ball towards the rim can make it easier to score via a layup or dunk. This is even more of a factor if that corner player possesses a high jumping ability.
Dribble at corner
- Corner defender plays too high: X3 is playing too high in an attempt to deny the corner pass or simply due to a defensive lapse.
- Dribble at corner: 1 can dribble at the right side corner while in possession of the ball.
- Backdoor cut: 3 can quick step at an angle towards 1 and immediately backdoor cut to the basket.
- Scoring opportunity: 3 can receive the ball from 1, preferably via a bounce pass, and score by way of a high percentage layup.
Horns
A player could execute a backdoor cut out of the Horns offense when the defense is most likely not expecting it and score near the basket.
Part 1: Wide pin down
- Wide pin down: At the start of the action, 4 moves away from the right side high post to set a wide pin down screen.
- Cut to right side wing: 2 uses that wide pin down screen and cuts to the wing, receiving the ball from 1.
- Pop out to left side wing: As the screening action occurs, 5 pops out to the left side wing.
- Corner fill: 4 simply fills the vacant right side corner after setting the screen.
Part 2: False elevator and backdoor cut
- Dribble towards top: Upon receiving possession of the ball, 2 dribbles it towards the top.
- Elevator screen: As 2 dribbles towards the top, 3 and 5 cut in towards the extended mid-post and high post areas to set an elevator screen.
- Cut through elevator opening: Also, as 2 dribbles while 3 and 5 set the elevator screen, 1 cuts through the “doors” towards the left side wing area.
- Corner lift: Furthermore, while 2 dribbles to the top and 1 uses the elevator screen, 4 begins lifting up towards the right side wing area.
- False elevator action: The elevator is actually false action to occupy the defense and make it appear as if 1 will receive the ball for a potential three-point shot.
- Dribble twist: Upon reaching the top, 2 should immediately turn and dribble towards 4.
- Backdoor cut: The dribble at action is a signal so that 4 can take a quick step and backdoor cut to the rim.
- Scoring opportunity: 1 should throw the ball towards the rim, preferably via a bounce pass, so that 4 can receive it and score via a high percentage layup or dunk.
General effectiveness of this Horns set
- What makes this Horns set generally effective is the dribble action towards the top and the false elevator.
- Essentially, when 2 dribbles towards the top, defenders such as X4 will generally have to slide into help position to cover the gap, particularly near the right side free throw extended
- Otherwise, 2 could just turn and drive to the basket through that open gap, even if they don’t completely beat their own man off the dribble.
- However, when X4 slides into help, that gives 4 an opportunity to cut behind X4 at a high rate via the backdoor cut, ultimately leading to a potential score at the rim.
Point of emphasis: Any player could be the cutter
- It should be noted as well that any player could be the backdoor cutter. That particular player will simply have to fill the high post area and execute the wide pin down screen first.
4 Out 1 in – Wide
Players could generate a variety of backdoor cut scoring options out of a 4 out 1 in wide variation starting with two players in the corners as opposed to near the wings.
The video below of the Stanford women’s basketball team executing various backdoor cuts is also highly related.
Part 1: Shallow cut, V-cut, and post entry option
- Shallow cut exchange: Starting off, 1 dribbles to the left slot while 4 shallow cuts underneath to the right slot exchanging in 1’s previous spot.
- V-cut: As that dribble and exchange action happens, 3 V-cuts to get open near the left side wing.
- Post-to-post cut: Furthermore, 5 can cut across from the right side low post to the left side low post, attempting to establish their position in that area.
- Post entry option: 3 has the option to give the ball to 5 via a post entry pass. Otherwise, 3 can simply retain possession of the ball.
Part 2: Fill cuts
- Through cut: 1 can cut through from the left slot to fill the right side corner.
- Lift cut: As that happens, 2 can cut and lift up towards the right side wing from the adjacent corner.
- Slot to top cut: Moreover, as 1 cuts through and 2 fills the wing, 4 can cut and fill the top from the right slot area.
Part 3, Option 1: Fake pass, dribble at, and backdoor
- Flash cut: 5 flashes to the high post with hands up and ready to receive the ball.
- Fake pass: Instead of passing into the high post, 4 fakes that pass, preferably with an overhead fake. The main objective is to get their own defender as well as the high post defender and right side wing defender to react to the ball for a split second.
- Dribble at: Immediately after faking the pass, 4 should dribble at the right side wing.
- Backdoor cut: The dribble at action is a signal for a backdoor cut from 2.
- Scoring opportunity: 4 passes the ball towards the basket, which is received by 2, resulting in a layup.
Part 3, Option 2: High post pass, screen away, and backdoor
- High post pass: This time, instead of faking the pass, 4 can throw the ball to the high post player who flashes up.
- Screen away: After passing into the high post, 4 can screen away near the right side wing.
- Screen rejection and backdoor cut: 2 can reject that screen and backdoor cut to the rim. This can be really useful if X2 tries to cheat the screen over the top. X2 won’t have enough time to recover and 2 will be wide open.
- Scoring opportunity: 2 simply receives the ball from 5 and scores a layup. 5 can also throw a face-up air pass or a face-away bounce pass.
Drill
Players can practice a basic drill to work on the backdoor cut, particularly from the wing area.
It should also be noted that the number format for players below are not representative of basketball positions or roles but instead, are utilized for demonstration purposes.
Basic setup
- Two lines: Players should set up in two separate lines; one at the top and the other on the wing.
- At least four players: Generally speaking, at least four players should participate in the drill; at least two players in the top line and at least two players in the wing line. The example diagram showcases six players altogether; three in the top line and three in the wing line.
- At least two basketballs: Generally speaking, at least two players in the line at the top should have possession of a basketball. The example diagram shows each of the three players in the top line in possession of a basketball.
- Cone: A cone can be placed somewhere between the player in the front of the top line and the player in the front of the wing line. The example diagram places the cone just behind the three-point line. However, it could be potentially moved, especially based on the type of backdoor cut (straight or quick step).
- Note: If a cone is not available, it’s possible to use another object such as a chair or even utilize another person like a coach or additional player.
Running the drill
- Dribble at action: Starting off, 1 takes one or two dribbles towards the cone.
- Backdoor cut: 4 takes a quick step towards the cone and immediately backdoor cuts behind it to the basket.
- Pass and score: 1 passes the ball in the lane. 4 receives the ball and scores via a layup. 4 also grabs the ball out of the net after making the layup.
- Player movement: Following the pass, 1 cuts to the back of the wing line. 5 also steps up to the front of the wing line. 4 sprints to the back of the top line while still in possession of the ball.
- Continuation: The drill would continue as before. Therefore, 2 would dribble towards the cone while 5 backdoor cuts to the rim and so on.