What are last second plays in basketball?
Last second basketball plays comprise offensive actions that could result in scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court during the end of a period such as a quarter or half.
How to comprehend 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.
What are examples of last second plays?
Play 1
This last second half court play could be possibly implemented within the first half to create momentum for the next period.
In terms of the initial setup: 1 is at the top in possession of the basketball; 2 and 3 fill the corners; 4 occupies the left side high post elbow area; 5 takes up the right side low post area.
Pick and roll plus wide pin
To begin, 1 dribbles toward the basket via the pick set by 5, who also happens to roll thereafter.
As that occurs, on the weak side, 2 cuts toward the extended left slot area via the wide pin down screen set by 4.
Following that, 1 could take the mid-range shot or possibly pass the ball to either 5 or 2, resulting in a layup or three-point shot, respectively.
Play 2
Here is a last second baseline inbound play that could be considered to quickly score two or three-points at the end of a period or quarter.
For the setup: 1 is the inbounder with possession of the ball; 2 occupies the left side elbow area; 3, 4, and 5 line up in a triple stack near the right side lane line.
Screen and cut
To begin, 4 pops out of the stack to set a back screen just below the free throw line. Additionally, 5 pops out of the stack to set a back screen slightly away from the mid-post lane line extended area.
As that happens, 2 cuts to the right side corner via the screen set by 4 while 3 cuts to the rim via the screen set by 5.
1 could throw the inbound pass to either 3 near the basket or 2 in the right corner on the perimeter. Either pass could result in a layup or three-point shot, respectively.
Play 3
This is a last second sideline inbound play that could be considered to create a shot attempt at the end of a particular period.
In terms of the setup, it is effectively a box set. In essence, 1 and 4 occupy the low post areas while 3 and 5 fill the high post elbow areas, respectively. 2 is the designated inbounder in possession of the ball.
Part 1: Down screen
To begin, 3 cuts toward the left side low post area to set a down screen. Afterwards, 1 uses that screen, cuts up toward the left slot area, and receives the ball from 2.
Part 2: Ram and baseline run
Next, 5 moves toward the right side low post area to set a ram screen. From there, 4 uses that screen, ultimately to set an on-ball screen.
Following that, 1 utilizes that on-ball screen and dribbles toward the right side extended slot area.
At the same time, 2 cuts through and runs the baseline to the right side corner area, utilizing screens set by 3 and 5 in the process.
Furthermore, after setting their respective screens, 3 could fill the left side wing area while 4 fills near the high post area.
Continuing on, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the three-point shot.
Alternatively, 1 could pass the ball to either 4 or 3, which could lead to additional scoring opportunities.
Play 4
This is a last second full court play that could be possibly utilized after a timeout to score three-points or to even get the ball inside to a low post scorer.
This play may also be beneficial if the opposing team is running a full court man to man defense as well.
In terms of the initial setup: 1 occupies weak side slot area in the backcourt; 2 occupies the weak side corner in the frontcourt; 3 is the inbounder; 4 takes up space just outside of the strong side elbow in the backcourt; 5 fills the strong side slot in the frontcourt.
Screening and cutting actions
To start, 4 cuts across the high post to set an angled screen. 1 uses that screen and cuts toward the strong side wing to receive the ball from 3.
As that occurs, 2 also cuts to the strong side wing via an angled screen set by 5. Furthermore, 1 begins to dribble down the middle of the court.
At the same time as 1 is dribbling, 3 sprints down near the right sideline into the frontcourt area via a back screen set by 4 who also trails the play at that point.
1 can throw a pitch ahead pass towards the left side wing, which could be received by 2. Afterwards, 2 could take the open three-point shot.
Alternatively, 1 could throw the pitch ahead pass towards the right sideline, which could be received by 3. From there, 3 could continue dribbling down towards the right side wing and then throw a post entry pass towards 5.
Following that, 5 could try to quickly score via a low post move near the basket.
Play 5
This last second half court play generally focuses on creating scoring opportunities for perimeter players at the end of a period such as a quarter or half.
In reference to the setup: 1 is at the top in possession of the ball; 2 and 4 line up in a double stack near the lane line on the right side; 3 occupies the left side low post area; 5 fills the left side high post elbow.
Part 1: Corner cut and down screen
To start, 1 dribbles toward the right slot area and as that happens, 2 cuts toward the left corner via the screen set by 4.
Furthermore, 3 cuts toward the left slot by way of the down screen set by 5.
Afterwards, 3 could receive the ball from 1 and take the three-point shot if that is open. Alternatively, 2 could receive the ball from 3, which could also lead to another three-point shot opportunity.
Otherwise, 3 just retains possession of the ball for the moment.
Part 2: Flare
Next, when 3 doesn’t quickly take the shot or pass, this keys 4 to swiftly cut up towards the right slot to set a flare screen.
From there, 1 uses that screen and cuts just inside of the three-point arc, receives the ball from 3 via a skip pass, and takes the open jump shot.
It should be mentioned though if the team needs a three-pointer, then 1 could continue their cut behind the three-point line instead of moving inside of it as shown on the diagram.
Also, if there is still a few seconds remaining and the team doesn’t necessarily need an immediate jump shot, then 1 could attack the rim looking for a high percentage layup.
What’s more, 1 may even potentially throw a short pass towards 5, which could also lead to a layup or dunk attempt.