WELCOME TO THEHOOPSCOACH.COM - A GLOBAL BASKETBALL COACHING COMMUNITY

INSTAND DOWNLOADS
EDITABLE TEMPLATES
SECURE CHECKOUT

51 Middle

Quick-hitting ATO that disguises a middle ball screen with Iverson and rub actions to spring 1 downhill, with 5 rolling and 4 popping as outlet.

OFFENSE

ATO

FORMATION

4-Out 1-In

CORE ACTIONS

Iverson Cut, Ball Screen / PnR

PLAY DESCRIPTION

Quick Overview
51 Middle pulls the defense laterally with an Iverson cut for 2, then immediately rebalances the floor as 4 rubs off 5 to the weak wing. With attention shifted and spacing set, 5 steps into a high ball screen for 1 to attack the lane.

Why It Works
The early Iverson action commands help and switches on the strong side, then the rub by 4 resets weak-side spacing just as the middle screen arrives. That sequencing creates indecision at the nail: tag the roller and surrender the pull-up/kick, or stay home and give up the rim.

Key Teaching Points

  • 2 must sprint the Iverson cut shoulder-to-shoulder off 3 and 5 to pull coverage.

  • 4’s rub off 5 must be tight and on time to occupy the weak-side tag and replace to the left wing.

  • 5 must set the middle screen flat-to-angling, then roll hard down the lane line.

  • 1 attacks off 5’s hip with pace; read nail/low man early.

  • 4 spaces behind the drive ready to shoot or attack the closeout.

PRIMARY ACTIONS

  • Alignment: 1 top (ball), 5 just above the foul line (top), 4 right wing, 2 left wing, 3 right corner.

  • 3 steps in; 3 and 5 form an Iverson screen for 2 to sprint from left wing across to the right wing (draw help/attention).

  • Immediately, 5 turns and lets 4 rub off him to replace 2 on the left wing (floor balance).

  • 5 then steps up into a middle ball screen for 1.

  • 1 attacks downhill; 5 rim-runs; 4 lifts behind for pick-and-pop spacing.

  • Reads: 1 at the rim; pocket/lob to 5; skip or kickback to 4; safety outlets to 2 (right wing) or 3 (corner) based on help.

MEDIA

51 Middle A 51 Middle B 51 Middle C
DOWNLOAD PLAYSHEET
RETURN TO ALL PLAYS

We send one email/week. Unsubscribe anytime.

Join the THEHOOPSCOACH Insider List

Enter your email and get exclusive weekly content you won’t find on the website or social channels — drills, tools, and practical coaching ideas shared only with our insider community. Built to inspire your practices and make coaching more efficient.

Join THEHOOPSCOACH Community

Join a global community of Coaches…

… and get exclusive coaching ideas, tools, plays, drills, and applied practice concepts designed to help you run your team more efficiently.

Double opt-in. Unsubscribe anytime