Curl Cut in Basketball

Table of Contents

What is a curl cut in basketball?

A curl cut within basketball occurs when an offensive player moves from one area of the court to another via a path that consists of some type of curled or curved motion.

How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page

In relation to any diagrams below, each of the offensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions in number format, unless otherwise noted.

In essence, 1 is the point guard; 2 is the shooting guard; 3 is the small forward; 4 is the power forward; 5 is the center.

Furthermore, 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.
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.

What is an example of a corner curl cut?

An offensive player could curl cut from one of the corners on the basketball court.

The basic example diagram below demonstrates this concept.

A basic example of an offensive player executing a curl cut from the corner of a basketball court.

To start, 2 receives the ball from 1. Following that, 4 cuts away to set a type of down screen known as a wide pin down screen for 3.

Next, 3 uses that screen by executing a curl cut towards the basket. Afterwards, 3 receives the ball from 2 and has the opportunity to score via a layup or dunk.

What is an example of a lane curl cut?

A player can perform a curl cut by looping around a screen within the lane.

The basic example diagram below illustrates this point.

Also, this particular action is probably not as common for most offensive strategies but the idea here is to primarily showcase and emphasize the curl cut itself.

A basic example of an offensive player executing a curl cut into the lane on a basketball court.

To begin, 2 receives the ball from 1 and while that happens, 3 curl cuts around a screen that is set by 4 in the lane.

Afterwards, 3 receives the ball from 2, which could lead to a short jump shot near the basket or a layup.

1-4 High

What is an example of a curl cut within 1-4 high offense?

A player can eventually curl cut to the basket from the wing area after entering the ball into the low post.

Initially though, a player will first enter the ball into the high post, potentially receive it again via handoff, and attack the rim. Alternatively, that player can also cut towards the wing area via stagger screens and receive the ball in that manner.

The example diagrams below demonstrate these concepts with more detail.

It is also based on certain insights from Building the Perfect Offense by Geno Auriemma.

Part 1: High post entry and stagger

An example featuring a high post entry pass and stagger screen that would eventually result in curl cut action.

To start, 4 receives the ball from 1 near the left side high post elbow. Next, 1 cuts towards 4 and could receive the ball again via a handoff, represented by the double pipe symbol.

From there, 1 could dribble and attack the rim for a possible layup.

If the handoff option is not available though, then 1 could continue across the lane towards the right side low post area for a moment.

Afterwards, 1 could cut towards the right side wing area by way of a stagger screen set by 3 and 5.

Following that, 1 could receive the ball from 4 and take the three-point shot if that is open.

However, if the three-point shot is not feasible, then 1 could retain possession of the ball at that moment while 3 cuts through to the left side corner and 5 fills the right side low post area.

Part 2: Curl cut action

An example showcasing curl cut action as the second part of a 1-4 play.

Continuing on, 5 quickly receives the ball from 1. After that, 2 executes a curl cut towards the right side wing as opposed to the basket via a weak side screen set by 4.

Next, 1 also performs a curl cut to the rim by way of the screen set by 2. From there, 1 receives the ball from 5 and scores via a layup in the lane.

Additionally, as a side note, the general action between 1 and 2 is very reminiscent of standard split cut action. However, this time, the overall sequence includes screen the screener activity as well.

What is an example of a curl cut within Horns offense?

A player could curl cut to the basket via a wide pin down screen within Horns offense.

The example diagram below showcases this concept.

An example of Horns offense featuring a curl cut that could result in a high percentage scoring opportunity.

To start, 2 cuts towards the right side wing from the adjacent corner via a wide pin down screen set by 4.

After that, 2 receives possession of the ball via a simple pass from 1. Next, 3 executes a curl cut towards the basket via the additional wide pin down screen set by 5 on the opposite side.

Following that, 3 receives the ball from 2 and could score at the rim via a layup or dunk.