Breaking a full-court press

Setup

1. Five attackers against four pressing defenders, inbounding from the baseline after a score.
2. Attackers: an inbounder, two guards near the ball, one in the middle, one deep.

How it runs

1. A guard V-cuts to get open; the inbounder passes within 5 seconds and steps in.
2. If two defenders trap, the ball handler pivots and passes back to the inbounder or to the middle.
3. Once the ball reaches the middle, attack fast with players wide.
4. Play to a score or until the defence wins the ball; swap after three goes.

Coaching points

• Inbounder: step in as soon as the ball is in, as the safety pass.
• In a trap, stay low, pivot, and pass over or around it, never dribble out.
• Cut toward the ball to meet passes.
• Middle player: catch, turn, and look ahead first.

Common mistakes

• Picking up the dribble in the corner where the trap is easiest.
• Lobbing long passes that hang in the air.
• Everyone running away from the ball, so there's no outlet.