A press break offense in basketball generally consists of set plays that could be used to attack or counter against a press defense, particularly with actions such as quick passes and off-ball cuts, while also creating one or more potential scoring opportunities near the basket or near perimeter areas of the court.
Press break basketball plays
These are example diagrams of press offense plays that features fundamental actions such as passing and dribbling as well as multiple ways to score against a press defense.
Furthermore, it should also be noted that for all of the diagrams, each offensive player is indicated by a number that generally represents one of the standard basketball positions and each defensive player has a correlated number to a similar position that is shown alongside the letter X.
Essentially, 1 and X1 are the offensive and defensive point guards respectively.
2 and X2 are the offensive and defensive shooting guards respectively.
3 and X3 are the offensive and defensive small forwards respectively.
4 and X4 are the offensive and defensive power forwards respectively.
Lastly, 5 and X5 are the offensive and defensive centers respectively.
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Play 1
This is an example of a press offense play that could be possibly favorable for beginners such as youth basketball teams or middle school teams.
In terms of the initial set-up, 3 has possession of the ball, indicated by the black dot, on the out of bounds side of the court behind the baseline adjacent to the offensive team’s backcourt area.
1 and 2 should form a small stack near the free throw line while 4 and 5 set up near the sidelines in the offensive team’s backcourt area.
Next, 1 cuts towards 3 and receives the ball via the inbound pass, shown via the dotted arrow. At the same time, 2 should cut away from 3 to occupy the defense on the opposite side.
Immediately after 1 gains hold of the ball, 3 should quickly step on the inbound side opposite of 1 and sprint quickly towards the team’s frontcourt.
As that happens, 5 should cut toward the middle of the court and receive the ball from 1 while 4 begins to cut towards the basket as well.
Following that, 3 can receive the ball and dribble towards the basket, represented by the arrow with a wavy line.
From there, 4 can receive the ball from 3 and then score via a layup at the rim.
Alternatively, if 4 is not open, then 3 can stop and pop for a mid-range shot.
Play 2
This is yet another simple press breaker, somewhat similar to the previous example, that may be useful for youth teams.
Simple press breaker featuring multiple passes and dribble action
To start, 1 cuts towards 3 in possession of the ball while 2 cuts away on the opposite side, similar to the previous variation of the play.
However, this time, 2 receives the ball from 3 instead of 1.
Additionally, as that happens, 1 should begin sprinting into the offensive team’s frontcourt adjacent to the sideline.
Next, 4 cuts to the middle of the court and receives the ball from 2.
It should also be noted that 2 can take one or two dribbles toward the adjacent three-point line area to throw the ball at a better passing angle if necessary.
This is demonstrated via the gray arrow with the wavy line as well as the gray dotted arrow.
Following that, 1 should receive the ball from 4 and begin dribbling it towards the basket.
Furthermore, as 1 is dribbling, 5 should run as quickly as possible towards the rim.
From there, 5 can receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket via a layup.
Alternatively, if 5 is not open, then 1 could continue dribbling, indicated by the gray arrow with the wavy line, and score the layup.
1 could also shoot a mid-range jump shot as well if that is feasible.
Finally, if no scoring opportunity is available, then 1 could simply run the team’s set plays or some other basketball offense strategy.
Play 3
This section features a press offense play that is more advanced than the first with various passing options to potentially score points, primarily near the basket as well as near perimeter areas of the court as an alternative choice.
Additionally, this play alongside plays 4 and 5 below are referenced from Game-Winning Plays for Special Situations by Jay Wright.
Part 1: Initial player actions
In terms of the set-up, 2 begins in possession of the ball out of bounds and will execute the inbound pass.
1 starts behind the three-point line near the right sideline within the offensive team’s backcourt, which would also be the left wing area in the opposing team’s frontcourt.
4 starts behind the three-point line, somewhat similar to 1. However, 4 is located at the top as opposed to near the wing or sideline areas.
3 and 5 both begin near the half court area near the left and right sidelines in the offensive team’s backcourt area.
Next, to initiate the actual offensive action, 1 gets open with a small V-cut towards 2, who has possession of the ball.
What’s more, Coach Wright emphasized that 1 should not go lower than the first hash mark near the lane line, which would be slightly below the free throw line.
To give even more clarity of this as it relates to the diagram, 1 should not go approximately lower than the bottom of the dotted semi-circle within the lane that is also below the free throw line.
Coach Wright stated as well that if 1 cuts lower than the first hash mark and immediately receives the ball from 2, then that could lead to a quick trap by the defense.
Additionally, as 1 makes the V-cut, 5 should immediately cut to the rim, mainly to occupy any backside defenders.
Moreover, 5 could potentially catch a long distance pass from 2 while stationed in the frontcourt and then score by way of a layup at the rim.
However, that particular scoring opportunity will typically not be available most of the time.
Furthermore, 3 and 4 should exchange locations on the court; again, this is mainly to occupy the defense.
Following that, after 1 receives the ball, 5 should cut back to the right sideline area in the offensive team’s frontcourt.
As that happens, 3 should cut towards the left sideline in the offensive team’s backcourt, which would also be the right wing area in the opposing team’s frontcourt.
Finally, 2 should step onto the inbound side of the court within the lane area.
In relation to the diagram, this would be between the basket and the dotted semi-circle.
Part 2: Backcourt to frontcourt passes and scoring options
This portion of the diagram features multiple passes and various scoring opportunities.
Next, 3 should cut towards the middle of the court and receive the ball from 1.
At the same time, 4 should sprint into the frontcourt near the left wing area while 5 also cuts toward the basket.
From there, 4 receives the ball from 3. Immediately after that, 1, 2, and 3 sprint into the frontcourt as well.
Moreover, 2 and 3 should fill the right and left slot areas respectively between the top and the wing areas while 1 cuts to the right side wing, adjacent to where 5 was previously located.
Following that, 5 could receive the ball from 4 and score at the rim via a layup or dunk.
Alternatively, if 5 is not open within the lane area, then 1 could receive the ball from 4 via a skip pass.
From there, 5 could turn and establish position near the right side low post area, receive the ball from 1, and then attempt to score via a low post move.
It should be noted as well that 1 could possibly take a three-point shot as another viable scoring option instead of passing to 5 if that is open.
What’s more, since all offensive players are now in the frontcourt, 1 could also execute the team’s basketball offense strategy if desired.
Play 4
This is a press offense play that primarily emphasizes counter options that could be used when the point guard is not able to gain possession of the ball, especially in the offensive team’s backcourt.
Part 1: Counter option when point guard is not initially open
This example diagram demonstrates what could possibly occur when 1 is not able to get open following the V-cut.
In essence, if X1 prevents 1 from receiving the ball, then 1 will simply cut back towards the right sideline area.
At the same time, 3 and 4 will exchange spots while 5 runs to the rim and cuts back to the sideline in the frontcourt; this all being similar to action on a previous diagram.
However, this time, 3 will cut to get open near the three-point line on the left side of the offensive team’s backcourt, which would also be near the right wing area of the opposing team’s frontcourt.
From there, 3 receives the ball and 2 steps onto the inbound side of the court, similar to a previous diagram as well.
Part 2, Option 1: Backcourt to frontcourt passes and scoring opportunity
This example diagram showcases three quick passes that could lead to a scoring opportunity at the rim.
What’s more, this particular part as well as the immediate diagram below further assumes that both post players, 4 and 5, have the ability to catch and pass the ball, specifically near perimeter areas of the court.
To start, 1 should cut to the middle and receive the ball from 3. As that happens, 4 should begin sprinting towards the basket as well.
Next, 5 receives the ball from 1 while positioned near the right sideline area. Afterwards, 4 receives the ball from 5 and scores around the rim via a layup or dunk.
Part 3, Option 2: Pass to frontcourt on same side when point guard is not open in backcourt
This example diagram features an alternative passing option from the offensive team’s backcourt to their frontcourt.
Essentially, if 1 cannot receive the ball in the middle of the backcourt, mainly because of denial action by a defender such as X1, then 4 could come back towards the high wing area from the left side low post.
Afterwards, 4 could receive the ball from 3 via the somewhat long distance pass while 5 cuts to the basket.
Following that, 5 could receive the ball from 4 and score around the basket.
Part 4, Option 3: Pass to frontcourt on opposite side when point guard is not open
This example diagram displays yet another alternative passing option from the offensive team’s backcourt to their frontcourt.
Similar to the previous diagram, 1 is not able to receive the ball from 3.
However, this time, instead of 4 cutting back towards the ball, 5 cuts to the right slot area from the right wing area in the frontcourt.
Afterwards, 5 receives the cross court skip pass from 3 while 4 cuts into the lane. Next, 4 could receive the ball from 5 and score around the basket.
Play 5
This is a press offense play that generally focuses on counter options that could be used when the point guard and the small forward are not initially open to receive possession of the ball in the team’s backcourt.
Also, this play assumes that 3 and 4 already exchanged locations on the court and that 5 has already sprint towards the basket. In essence, this play could be considered a continuation of play 4 with additional passing/scoring options.
Part 1: Inbound passing option to post player
To begin, if 1 and 3 cannot get open to receive the inbound pass, primarily due to denial defense by X1 and X3, then 4 could cut to the middle of the court. Following that, 4 could receive the inbound pass from 2.
Coach Wright also stated that if 4 is tall and athletic, then 2 should try to throw a high air pass over the top of the defense, which then allows 4 to jump high in the air and catch the ball with both hands.
However, if 4 is quick but undersized, then 2 could throw a low and swift bounce pass instead.
Moreover, it should be mentioned that on this type of inbound action in addition to the previous examples, 2 should consider executing a fake pass, especially if there is defensive pressure directly on the ball.
In other words, if 2 is being guarded by an inbound defender, then 2 could fake a low pass before throwing the high air pass or fake a high pass before throwing the low bounce pass.
In either case, as 4 catches the ball, 1 and 3 should sprint towards the frontcourt on their respective sides of the court, which sets up the next part of the play as well.
Part 2, Option 1: Backcourt to frontcourt pass followed by dribble into post entry
This example diagram displays a backcourt pass to a player on the right side of the frontcourt.
Specifically, 1 receives the diagonal pass from 4. Afterwards, 1 begins to dribble toward the right side wing area.
In addition, as that happens, 2 and 4 cut towards the right and left slots respectively that are between the top and wing areas of the court.
Furthermore, 3 cuts to the left side wing, which is also on the weak side of the floor.
From there, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score via a low post move.
Nevertheless, if 5 does not receive the ball, then 1 could run some other type of set play or offensive action as all players are currently in the team’s frontcourt.
Part 3, Option 2: Variation of backcourt to frontcourt pass followed by cut through across lane
This is an example diagram that demonstrates a variation of the backcourt to frontcourt pass followed by a cut through across the lane by the post player.
This time, 3 can receive the ball from 4 as opposed to 1. Afterwards, 3 can begin to dribble towards the left side wing.
As that happens, 4 should cut to the top while 1 and 2 sprint towards the right side corner and right side wing respectively.
Furthermore, 5 should cut across the lane to the strong side, receive the ball from 3 and attempt to score a field goal via a low post move.
Alternatively, 1 or 2 could receive the ball from 5 via a cross court pass and then take a three-point jump shot if that option is available.
Play 6
This section contains another press offense play, which also comprises various passing and scoring options.
In terms of the initial setup, particularly within the backcourt, 1, 2, and 4 are in a horizontal stack near half court while 5 fills the high post area.
Additionally, 3 stands out of bounds near the baseline with possession of the basketball.
To start, 1 cuts to the ball just inside of the three-point line by way of a screen set by 5. Following the screening action, 5 immediately runs toward the rim in the frontcourt.
Next, 5 could receive the long distance pass from 3 if that is open and quickly score via a layup or dunk.
Otherwise, 1 could receive the ball while 5 moves to the left side low post area and 3 steps inbound near the adjacent basket.
Part 2, Option 1: Pass to middle
After 1 gains possession of the ball, 2 cuts to the middle of the court above the three-point line in the backcourt while 4 cuts down to the right side corner in the frontcourt.
Furthermore, 3 sprints toward the left slot area in the frontcourt as well. Following that, 2 receives the ball from 1 and dribbles it straight ahead into the frontcourt.
As that happens, 1 cuts toward the right side wing area. Following that, 3 could receive the from 2 and dribble it towards the left side wing area.
From there, 5 could receive the ball from 3 and score via a low post move.
It should be noted that 1, 2, or 4 could also receive the ball from 5, which could result in possible three-point shot opportunities.
Part 3, Option 2: Pass towards sideline when middle is not open
This is an example diagram featuring certain action that could be utilized if 2 is not able to receive the ball from 1 after the initial inbound pass.
When that occurs, 4 could receive the ball from 1 and at the same time, 2 could cut directly ahead into the frontcourt.
Next, 2 could receive the ball from 4 and begin to dribble towards the top behind the three-point line.
Furthermore as that happens, 1, 3, and 4 could sprint from the backcourt area to the wings and right side corner respectively.
From that point, 3 could receive the ball from 2 and then throw a post entry pass to 5, who could score near the basket, particularly via a low post move.
Alternatively, 1 could receive the ball from 2, which triggers a flash cut from 5.
After that, 4 could backdoor cut to the basket, receive the ball from 5, and score at the rim.
5 could also take the mid-range shot near the high post area if that is viable as well.
Part 4, Option 3: Pressure release
This is an example diagram showcasing certain action that could be implemented when the middle player as well as the sideline player are not open to receive the ball.
In essence, let’s say that 2 and 4 cannot get open to receive the ball, mainly because of denial defense by X2 and X4.
If that happens, then 3 should receive the ball from 1 as the pressure release safety. Afterwards, 1 should cut towards the middle while 2 cuts to the adjacent sideline opposite 4.
Part 5, Option 4: 1-3-1 alignment
This is an example diagram of yet another method of potentially breaking a press once the player who initially executed the inbound pass gains possession of the basketball.
Essentially, the offensive team is now set up in an offensive 1-3-1 formation.
Therefore, because the players are now spread apart with good spacing across the court, it could be quite challenging for the opposing defense to set effective traps.
To execute the general action, 3 dribbles down the middle towards the frontcourt. Following that, 4 receives the ball from 3 while 1 continues to move into the frontcourt.
Next, 1 receives the ball from 4 and from that point, 2 could move to the left side wing or left side corner.
Additionally, 4 has the option to cut towards the wing, corner, or low post area on the right side of the court.
Also, 3 could fill the left slot area or perhaps the left side wing if 2 moved to the left corner.
After all of that transpires, 1 could dribble towards the top and execute set plays or strategies.
