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Basketball Plays - "90" Series

By Dr. James Gels, from the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook

The "90" play series feature O4 and O5 moving up top. Since 4 + 5 = 9, we call it the 90 series. 91, 91 Slip, 92, 93, 94, 95, 94-Iso, and 90-R.

"91"

"91" starts like a "Horns" play. We run this play against both man-to-man and zone defenses, and can run it either right or left, depending on which post player receives the first pass from O1. O4 and O5 move up to the top (diagram 91). O1 passes to either O4 or O5. The opposite post (in this case O4), back-screens for O1. O1 flares to the wing. Meanwhile the wing (O2 in this case) cuts inside. The pass from O5 goes over the top to O1 on the wing (diagram B). O5 and O4 now set a staggered double-screen for O2. O2 cuts around the screens to the top (diagram C).

90 series - 91

Optionally, instead of O2 cutting up off the double-screens, you can have O2 back-screen for the passer (O5), who cuts to the ball-side block for the pass from O1, and the lay-up (diagram D). The options are:

O1 dribble-drives to the hoop (diagram C).
O1 shoots the outside jumper.
O1 passes out to O2 who shoots the 3-pointer.
O1 passes to the cutter O5 (diagram D).

"91 Slip"

After running "91" successfully a few times with the skip pass over to O1, the defense may switch the O4-on-O1 screen, so that O1 is no longer open for the skip pass. Now we run the "slip" option. Start the play the same as in the first diagram in "91". After screening for O1, O4 seals the defender, slips the screen, and cuts through the lane for the pass from O5. O2 has to read this and clear back out to the corner to keep his/her defender outside.

"92"

O2 starts in the right corner. O1 dribbles left for a better passing angle. O5 and O4 set a staggered double-screen for O2. O2 cuts around the screens for the possible pass and shot. If O2 does not get the ball, he/she moves out to the left corner and receives a back-screen from O3 (diagram C).

Basketball play 90 series - 92

After O2 cuts over the double-screen, O5 turns and screens for O4, and O4 cuts to the right corner (diagram B). After screening for O4, O5 posts-up just above the right block. O1 could skip pass to O4, and O4 then passes into O5. If none of these options is open, lastly O1 could pass to O2 coming off O3's back-screen for a possible 3-point shot (diagram C).

"93"

This is the same as "92", except we run it on the left for O3. O3 starts in the left corner. O1 dribbles right for a better passing angle. O5 and O4 set staggered screens for O3. O3 cuts around the double-screen for the possible pass and shot. If O3 does not get the ball, he/she moves out to the right corner and receives a back-screen from O2.

Basketball play 90 series - 93

Meanwhile, after O3 cuts over the double-screen, O5 turns and screens for O4, and O4 cuts to the left corner (diagram B). After screening for O4, O5 posts-up just above the left block. O1 could skip pass to O4, and O4 passes into O5. If none of these options is open, lastly O1 could pass to O3 coming off O2's back-screen for a possible 3-point shot.

"94"

Here's a simple, effective play (vs man defense) that usually gets you either a 3-point shot for O2, or a lay-up for O4. Similar to "91", both posts (O4 and O5) move up top (diagram A). O3 slides a little toward the corner. O1 takes a dribble left and passes to O5. O4 screens for O2. O2 comes over the screen looking for the pass from O5 and the 3-point shot (diagram B).

basketball play

After screening X2, O4 seals for inside position, slips the screen, and cuts to the hoop. If X4 switches the screen, then O4 should get the bounce-pass and layup (diagram C). This inside slip cut should be open, as there is no help-side defense inside (since O3 is only one pass away from O5).

"95"

Run the same play above on the left side and call it "95". In this case, O1 dribbles to the right side and O2 slides down toward the corner. O1 passes to O4, while O5 screens for O3. O3 comes over the screen for the pass from O4 and the outside shot. O5 seals, slips the screen and cuts to the hoop for the pass from O4 and the lay-up.

See the complete article in the members section.

The complete article also includes:

94-Iso - Here's a simple, effective play using the double high-post that will isolate your athletic O4 for a shot or dribble-drive... (more)
90-R - Here's an effective play with multiple options, especially for O1, O2 and O4... (more)