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Wheel Offense in Basketball

What is the Wheel offense in basketball?

  • The Wheel offense features screening and cutting actions as well as a potential continuity pattern initiated from a unique formation.
  • The general objective of the offense is to create one or more scoring opportunities near the basket or around a perimeter area, particularly the high post elbow.
  • The Wheel offense was initially developed by Coach Garland Pinholster during his time as the head coach at Oglethorpe University in the 1950s.

What are example demonstrations of the Wheel offense?

  • The Wheel offense generally starts with a slot to wing pass.
  • From there, that action is generally followed up by a back screen, stagger screen, and potential continuity pattern.
  • The examples below demonstrate these concepts in more detail, which also includes diagrams and key actions in bold text.

Understanding the diagrams and player roles 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.

Example Overview: Image gallery

Part 1

An example of Wheel offense that showcases a V-cut, slot to wing pass, and other actions.
  • V-cut: 2 could get open by utilizing a V-cut.
  • Slot to wing pass: 1 can pass to 2 via a slot to wing pass.
  • Back screen: 5 can set an angled back screen near the extended mid-post area.
  • Cut to basket: 3 can use that screen and cut to the basket.
  • Scoring opportunity: 2 could pass to 3 who could score via a layup.
    • If 3 is not open to score though, then 3 fills the right side low post area.

Part 2

An example of Wheel offense that demonstrates a stagger screen, cut the ball side high post elbow, and scoring opportunities.
  • Stagger screen: 1 and 4 set a stagger screen near the extended high post and mid-post area, respectively.
  • Cut to ball side high post elbow: 5 uses that screen and cuts to the high post elbow on the right side.
    • Note: When 5 uses the stagger screen, this is also screen the screener action because 5 previously set a back screen.
    • Scoring opportunities:
      • 2 could pass to 5. Afterwards, 5 could take the mid-range jump shot.
      • 2 could also pass inside to 3. From there, 3 could score via a low post move.
      • Fill cuts: If 3 or 5 are not open, then 1 and 4 could fill the left side wing and right slot area, respectively.

Part 3

An example of Wheel offense that demonstrates a possible continuity pattern alongside additional actions.
  • Continuity possibility: If 2 simply kept possession of the ball, then it’s possible to initiate a continuity pattern within the offense.
  • Wing to slot pass: 2 passes the ball to 4 at the right slot.
  • V-cut: 1 gets open via a V-cut.
  • Slot to wing pass: 4 passes the ball to 1 from the right slot to the left side wing area.
  • Back screen: 3 steps out towards the extended mid-post area to set an angled back screen.
  • Cut to basket: 2 cuts to the basket via the back screen.
  • Scoring opportunity: 1 can pass to 2. After that, 2 could score via a layup.
    • If 2 is not open, then 2 simply cuts to the left side low post area.

Part 4

An example of Wheel offense that demonstrates the stagger screen and other actions via the continuity pattern.
  • Stagger screen: 4 and 5 cut towards the extended right side elbow and mid-post, respectively to set a stagger screen.
  • Cut to ball side elbow: 3 uses that screen and cuts to the left side elbow area.
  • Scoring opportunities:
    • 1 could pass to 3. From there, 3 could take the open mid-range shot.
    • 1 could pass to 2. After that, 2 could attempt to score via a low post move.
    • Fill cuts: If 1 keeps possession of the ball, then 4 and 5 could cut to the right side wing area and left slot, respectively.
    • Continuity possibility: Once again, it’s possible for the team to execute the offense as a continuity on the other side of the floor.
      • Also notice that the players would be switching to different areas with new roles in terms of screening, cutting, passing, or shooting.

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Related: Garland Pinholster Wheel Offense Playbook by Wes Kosel

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