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51 Ram Spain

A high-level quick hitter blending a dribble handoff, ram screen, and Spain pick-and-roll to create either an open three or an uncontested lob at the rim.

OFFENSE

Quickhitter

FORMATION

4-Out 1-In

CORE ACTIONS

PLAY DESCRIPTION

“51-RAM-Spain” stacks three actions — DHO, ram, and Spain Ball Screen Action— in seamless sequence. It manipulates help and switch coverages by combining misdirection with layered screening angles. The continuous motion and layerd actions keep defenders occupied, leaving either the roller free at the rim or a shooter open behind the play.

Why It Works
Each movement triggers a defensive rotation or switch before the previous one is complete. The ram screen delays the big’s help, the DHO disguises the true entry, and the Spain back screen eliminates the tag defender. The structure ensures a clean read every time — either a downhill attack, a lob, or a kick-out three.

Key Teaching Points

  • Timing is everything — the ram screen must finish just as the DHO occurs.

  • 1 must stay engaged after the handoff to become an active screener.

  • 5 should roll directly off the Spain back screen without hesitation.

  • 2’s handle out of the DHO must stay tight — attack downhill, not laterally.

  • Spain spacing is critical: 4 and 3 stay wide in corners to hold help.

PRIMARY ACTIONS

  • Alignment: 1 top of key (ball), 2 left wing, 4 right wing, 3 high at top of key, 5 deep post.

  • 1 drives at 2 for a dribble handoff on the left wing.

  • Simultaneously, 3 sets a ram screen (pin-down) for 5.

  • After the DHO, 1 continues his motion and sets a cross screen for 3, allowing 3 to clear to the left baseline corner.

  • 5 comes off 3’s ram screen and sets a ball screen for 2 at the top of the key.

  • As 2 attacks off the screen, 1 sets a Spain back screen on 5’s defender.

  • 5 rolls hard to the rim; 1 pops out to the top of the key as a release.

  • Reads: 2 can attack, hit 5 for a lob or pocket pass, skip to 3 or 4 in the corners, or find 1 popping out for a clean three.

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