What is a basketball cut?
A basketball cut is an offensive skill and specific action that a player without possession of the ball can use to move from one location on the court to another with the primary purpose of creating space and getting open from a defender.
There are also many types of cuts that could be utilized to get open, which could lead to scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court.
How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page
Generally speaking, offensive and defensive players are usually represented by the standard basketball positions in number format.
Additionally, offensive players are signified by numbers such as 1-5 while defensive players are indicated by the letter X, which is then followed by numbers such as X1-X5.
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 centers.
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.
- 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 a backdoor cut?
A backdoor cut occurs when a player without possession of the basketball seeks to get open, typically by way of an initial quick step towards a player with the ball, followed by an immediate cut to the basket.
Players will typically execute a backdoor cut when a defender is overplaying too high and/or the defender is denying the pass.
The diagram below demonstrate a basic example of the backdoor cut.
This is an example of a backdoor cut that gets executed by an offensive player near a wing area of the court.
In terms of the basic setup, 1 is at the top in the middle of the floor with possession of the ball. Additionally, 2 is located near the right side wing.
Moreover, X2 overplays and denies 2 easy possession of the basketball, represented by the gray arrow.
Therefore, as a counter to that, 2 executes a backdoor cut and receives the ball from 1. Following that, 2 simply scores by way of a layup at the rim.
What is a banana cut?
A banana cut occurs when a player performs a curved or arched cut from one area of the court to another.
The diagram below demonstrates a basic example of the banana cut.
In terms of the setup, 1 is located near the right side wing with possession of the basketball while 2 is in the left side corner.
From there, 2 executes the banana cut from the left side corner to the top behind the three point line and receives the ball from 1, which could lead to a shot opportunity or drive to the basket.
What is a baseline cut?
A baseline cut occurs when a player runs near the baseline from one area of the court to another area, which is commonly the opposite corner or opposite wing.
The diagram below showcases a basic example of the baseline cut.
In terms of the setup, 1 is at the top with possession of the ball, 2 is near the right side wing, and 3 is near the left side wing.
To start the action, 3 receives the ball from 1 while 2 executes the baseline cut through to the left side corner.
Afterwards, 2 receives the ball from 3, which could then lead to a three-point shot, assuming that is open.
What is a curl cut?
A curl cut occurs when an offensive player moves from one area of the court to another via a path that features some type of curled or curved motion, especially in combination with an off-ball screen from a teammate.
The diagram below demonstrates an example of the curl cut within offensive action.
In terms of the setup, 1 is at the top, 2 is on the right side wing, and 3 is on the left side wing.
To execute the basic action, 3 receives the ball from 1 and then 1 cuts away to set a screen for 2. Following that, 2 performs a curl cut by setting up a defender (not shown) by moving slightly towards the baseline before curling around the screen of 1.
Afterwards, 2 receives the ball from 3 and can score via a layup at the basket.
Fundamentals Of The Curl Cut – YouTube
What is a dive cut?
A dive cut, also known as the straight cut, occurs when a player cuts directly to the basket, particularly in a straight line from their own point of view.
The diagram below showcases a basic example of the dive cut within offensive action.
For the setup, 1 is at the top and 2 is on the right side wing.
To perform the action, 2 receives the ball from 1 who then dive cuts to the basket. Following that, 1 could receive the ball again and score around the basket.
Additionally, as a brief side note, this offensive action is also a give and go type of scenario because 1 will give the ball to a teammate (2) and then go to the basket.
What is a drift cut?
A drift cut occurs when an offensive player cuts to the corner typically from the wing on the weak side of the court.
The diagram below showcases a basic example of the drift cut.
In reference to the initial setup, 1 is at the top, 2 is on the right side wing, and 3 is on the left side wing.
To demonstrate the offensive action, 2 receives the ball from 1 and immediately dribbles toward the basket near the baseline.
As that happens, 3 performs a drift cut to the left side corner, which is also the weak side, opposite the location of the ball.
Next, 2 throws a drift pass across the lane with 3 as the recipient. Following that, 3 can take the open three-point shot.
What is a face cut?
The face cut, also known as a front cut, occurs when an offensive player positions themselves between the ball and the defender.
In other words, the offensive player cuts in front of the defender, as the name implies.
The basic diagram below demonstrates an example of the face cut.
For the simple setup, 1 is at the top in possession of the ball and 2 is near the right side wing.
To perform the action, 1 passes the ball with 2 as the recipient and afterwards, 1 face cuts to the basket in front of the defender X1.
Following that, 1 gets the ball back and can score at the rim via a layup.
What is a fade cut?
A fade cut occurs when a player utilizes an off-ball screen, especially a down screen, to cut towards one area of the court, typically the wing, but afterwards, that same player will then fade back towards another area, which is usually near the adjacent corner.
Essentially, the offensive cutter changes the original path to another destination on the court, commonly as a counter to a defender who attempts to shoot the gap by meeting the off-ball cutter on the other side of the screen.
The diagram below demonstrates the fade cut.
For the basic setup, 1 is at the top, 2 is initially near the left side low post area, and 3 is near the right side mid-post between the high and low post areas.
At the start, 2 begins to cut towards the right side wing via a pin down screen set by 3.
However, the defender known as X2 attempts to shoot the gap of the screen to meet 2 on the opposite side.
So, to counter that, 2 performs the fade cut towards the right side corner, receives the ball from 1, and has an opportunity to take the open jump shot.
What is a fill cut?
A fill cut occurs when an offensive player moves to occupy an empty spot on the court such as the top, wing, slot, or corner, particularly after that space had been previously filled by a teammate.
Furthermore, during offensive execution, if an offensive player cuts to an area that was previously held by a teammate, especially as an immediate secondary action, then that is generally referred to as fill and replace.
As the name implies, the offensive player would be filling the spot and replacing their teammate who once occupied that same spot.
Moreover, when a player cuts directly toward a vacant space, particularly from one perimeter area to another, that is typically known as a blast cut, which is a type of fill cut.
The diagram below demonstrates a basic example of various fill cuts.
In terms of the basic setup, 1 is at the top, 2 is near the right side wing, 3 is near the left side wing, and 4 is in the left side corner.
To start, 2 receives the ball from 1 who also dive cuts to the basket.
Immediately afterwards, 3 executes the fill cut to the top while 4 and 1 fills the left side wing and corner respectively.
Moreover, for this example, 3 replaced 1, 4 replaced 3, and then 1 replaced 4, all at different locations on the court.
Additionally, the actions by 3 and 4 could be considered blast cuts as well.
Square The Top (Fill Cuts: Blast Cut, V-Cut) – FastModel Sports
What is a flash cut?
A flash cut generally happens when an offensive player moves from a lower part of the court such as the low post area to a higher portion, especially the high post elbow area.
Also, the offensive player will typically cut at an angle as well when moving the lower area to the higher one.
The diagram below demonstrates a simple example of a typical type of flash cut.
For the basic setup, 1 is at the top, 2 is on the right side wing, and 3 is near the left side low post area.
To begin, 2 receives the ball from 1 and immediately afterwards, 3 flash cuts across the lane from the left side low post to the right side high post elbow area.
From there, 3 could receive the ball from 2 and take the jump shot or perhaps dribble to the basket for a layup.
What is an Iverson cut?
An Iverson cut occurs when an offensive player who is initially on one side of the court, typically near a wing area, cuts through to the other side, which is usually the opposite wing area.
The Iverson cut is also generally utilized alongside one or two screens set by additional players for the cutter.
Furthermore, the Iverson cut is named after and popularized by NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson who used this type of cut to get open for scoring opportunities.
The basketball diagram below shows a typical example of the Iverson cut in action.
For the setup, 1 is at the top while 2 occupies the right side wing. In addition, 3 and 4 fill the right side and left side high post elbow areas respectively.
To begin, 2 performs the Iverson cut from the right side wing to the left side wing by way of a pair of screens set by 3 and 4.
Afterwards, 2 receives the ball from 1 and has the opportunity to take the three-point shot. Alternatively, 2 could dribble inside the three-point arc for a mid-range shot or possibly drive all the way to the rim for a layup.
What is an L cut?
An L cut comprises action in which an offensive player cuts in a certain pattern on the court that is similar to the letter L.
Usually, the offensive player will start near a low post area and then cut initially towards the high post or mid-post area before popping outwards toward the wing area to complete the L-shaped cutting pattern.
The diagram below showcases a simple example of the L cut.
For the basic setup, 1 is at the top with possession of the basketball and 2 is near the right side low post area.
At the start, 2 performs the L-cut by initially cutting towards the right side high post elbow before popping out to the right side wing.
Following that, 2 receives the ball from 1 and has an opportunity to take the three-point shot or potentially dribble inside of the arc for other possible scoring options such as a mid-range shot or layup at the rim.
What’s more, it should be noted although it is not shown on the diagram, 2 should consider taking one step towards the lane to set up the defender prior to popping out towards the wing when completing the L-cut.
The quick step towards the lane could potentially create an adequate amount of separation between 2 and the defender, which could make it even easier to receive the ball.
What is a Laker cut?
A Laker cut occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball, typically near the wing, passes it to another player near the low post area, and immediately cuts toward the basket.
Afterwards, the cutting player could possibly receive the ball again from the low post player for a scoring opportunity near the basket.
Also, to give a very brief history, the Laker cut derives its name from the Los Angeles Lakers NBA team who utilized it, particularly during their Showtime Era dynasty, in which they won five championships.
The diagram below features a basic example of the Laker cut.
In terms of the setup, 1 is at the top with possession of the ball, 2 is near the right side wing, and 3 is near the right side low post area.
To begin, 2 receives the ball from 1 and then 3 receives it from 2. After the post entry pass, 2 performs a Laker cut on the high side through the elbow and to the basket.
Following that, 2 can receive the ball again from 3 and score via a layup at the rim.
What is a scissors cut?
A scissors cut occurs when two offensive players, typically near perimeter areas such as the slots, split between another offensive player, usually near the high post.
The cutting players will also move in a pattern that forms somewhat of an X on the court as well.
The diagram below showcases a basic example of scissors cut action.
For the basic setup: 1 and 2 are located in the right and left slots respectively; 3 occupies the right side wing area; 4 fills the high post area.
On the diagram example, 3 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 1 and 2 perform the scissors cut between 4 towards the low post areas.
In addition, it should be noted that 1 is the first cutter while 2 is the second cutter for this example.
Following that, 2 receives the ball from 3 and has an opportunity to score around the basket via a close-range shot such as a layup.
What is a shuffle cut?
A shuffle cut, which is a main staple within the shuffle offense, occurs when a player, typically near the extended slot or wing area, cuts into the lane towards the basket, usually by way of a back screen from another player.
The diagram below showcases a basic example of the shuffle cut within offensive execution.
In terms of the initial setup, 1 is near the right side wing with possession of the ball while 2 is positioned near the extended left side slot area. Also, 3 occupies the left side high post elbow area.
From there, 2 performs the shuffle cut towards the basket accompanied by a back screen set by 3. Afterwards, 2 receives the ball from 1 and score around the rim.
What is a slice cut?
A slice cut typically occurs when an offensive player moves across the lane from the perimeter, commonly near the wing area, to the opposite mid-post or low post area.
It should be mentioned as well that the slice cut has similarities with the shuffle cut.
The main difference though is that with the shuffle cut, the offensive player generally cuts into the lane towards the basket as opposed to cutting across the lane towards the low post area in reference to the slice cut.
The diagram below showcases a basic example of the slice cut.
For the setup, 1 is at the top, 2 is on the left side wing, 3 is on the right side wing, and 4 fills the left side low post area.
To start, 3 receives the ball from 1 and immediately afterwards, 2 performs the slice cut from the left side wing across the lane to the right side low post via the screen set by 4.
From that point, 2 could receive the ball from 3 and attempt to score around the basket via a layup or other action such as a low post move.
What is a slot cut?
A slot cut occurs when an offensive player cuts to the basket through a slot area on the court.
The basketball diagram below demonstrate a basic example of a slot cut on the court.
For the initial setup, 1 is in the right slot, 2 is on the right side wing, 3 is in the left slot, and 4 is located at the right side low post area.
To begin, 2 receives the ball from 1 who then throws it inside to 4. Following that, 3 performs the slot cut towards the basket and receives the ball from 4, which could result in a layup.
What is a split cut?
A split cut occurs when an offensive player near a perimeter area, such as the wing, passes the ball to a teammate near a post area and afterwards, that same perimeter player looks to set or receive a screen from another teammate.
The diagram below demonstrates a basic example of the split cut during offensive action.
The initial setup features a player at the top, a second player in possession of the basketball near the right side wing, and a third player near the right side low post area.
To start the action, 2 throws the entry pass to 3. Afterwards, 2 performs the split cut towards the basket via the off-ball screen set by 1 near the right side high post elbow area.
Following that, 2 can receive the ball again from 3 and score via a layup at the rim.
Related: “Split Cut” – YouTube
What is a UCLA cut?
A UCLA cut, derived from the UCLA offense, occurs when an offensive player near the top or slot area cuts to the basket via a high post back screen while an adjacent wing player has possession of the basketball.
The diagram below showcases a basic example of the UCLA cut.
For the basic setup: 1 begins near the right slot with possession of the ball; 2 starts on the right side wing; 3 occupies the right side high post elbow area.
From there, 2 receives the ball from 1 who then cuts to the basket via the back screen set by 3. After that, 1 receives the ball again from 2 and scores at the rim by way of a layup.
What is a V-cut?
A V cut occurs when an offensive player moves from one area of the court to another by way of a path that is similar to the letter V.
The diagram below demonstrates a basic V cut that a player can use to get open.
In relation to the initial setup, 1 is at the top and 2 is on the right side wing.
From that point, 2 executes the V cut by initially cutting towards the basket at an angle (to set up the would-be defender) before cutting back upwards adjacent to the right side high post elbow area.
Afterwards, 2 can receive the ball from 1 and take a mid-range shot or possibly attack the rim for a layup.
What is a zipper cut?
A zipper cut occurs when an offensive player cuts from the low post or corner, generally through the lane, to the top.
In addition, the zipper cut is typically utilized alongside a down screen as another offensive tool to help a player get open.
The diagram below demonstrates a very basic zipper cut.
For the initial setup: 1 is near the left side wing with possession of the basketball; 2 fills the right side low post area; 3 occupies the right side high post elbow area.
To start, 3 cuts down toward the low post to set a down screen with 2 as the recipient. Next, 2 uses that screen and executes the zipper cut through the lane towards the top.
Following that, 2 receives the ball from 1 and has an opportunity to take the three-point shot.
What is a 45 cut?
A 45 cut occurs when a player without possession of the ball cuts straight to the basket at a 45 degree angle.
What’s more, this type of cut is typically executed on the weak side slightly above the free throw line extended area adjacent to the wing.
Additionally, in some instances, the 45 cut could potentially be performed from the standard slot area that is expanded from the elbow vertically or around the extended slot area that is closer to the sideline.
The diagram below shows an example of a very basic 45 cut, particularly with no defenders.
In terms of the setup: 1 is at the top; 2 is near the right side wing; 3 is near the left side wing.
Starting off the action, 2 receives the ball from 1 and begins to dribble towards the baseline. Next, as that happens, 3 performs a 45 cut to the basket from the weak side, opposite the ball.
Afterwards, 3 receives the ball from 2 and scores via a layup or dunk.