Setup and Organization

Run on one end (preferred for coaching) or both ends with 12–15+ players. Place one player in each short corner (baseline, left and right). Split the remaining players into two lines near half-court, each line facing its corresponding short-corner player. Everyone at half-court has a ball except the first player in one line (the initial screener). The left-side line without a ball initiates: the first player sprints down to set a pin-down for the short-corner receiver; the opposite half-court line (right side) supplies the passer on the diagonal.

Step-by-Step Progression

As the screener arrives, the receiver sets up his defender by stepping into the paint, then snaps back tight off the screen (shoulder-to-hip) to the foul line / slot for the catch. The diagonal passer delivers the ball on time, on target for a rhythm shot. The shooter rebounds and fills the passer’s half-court line. The screener immediately releases to the baseline with hands ready (becoming the next receiver on that side). The passer, now without a ball, becomes the next screener on the opposite side. The action flows continuously, alternating sides: screen → come off → diagonal pass → shot → rebound and rotate. Emphasize waiting for the screen to be set before the cut; receiver must show target (palm of shooting hand) and call the passer’s name; passer calls the receiver’s name.

Scoring

Run as a competition between sides. A clean make off a legal pin-down (proper setup, screen angle set, balanced catch) is worth 1 point; count 2 points if the make is from beyond the arc (optional). Deduct 1 for timing/technique errors (moving screen, off-target pass, off-balance catch leading to a travel, or receiver leaving early before the screen is set). First side to 20 points wins, or run timed sets (3–4 minutes) and track totals.

Coaching Points

Screeners: arrive wide, feet set, correct angle; make contact and hold your screen. Receivers: sell the setup (inside step or two), then explode shoulder-to-hip; catch on two, shoot in rhythm. Passers: deliver early to the shooter’s pocket—no floaters. Everyone: communicate (names), show target hand, and keep spacing clean. After contact, screeners release with hands ready—great screens often get you open.

Variations

Change the read: curl, straight cut, fade, or backdoor reject. Add a guided defender (coach/manager) on the receiver to force tight cuts. Require a one-dribble pull-up on specific calls. Layer a DHO after the catch. Flip the scoring (threes only worth 2; mid-range 1) or add a “streak” bonus for 3–5 clean makes in a row.