Hi Coach,
We all do it.
Stealing from other coaches and teams is pretty normal in the basketball coaching world.
It’s also no secret that the pick and roll (PNR) has become an integral part of playbooks in the NBA, college, and high school level. You also see PNR actions being used at higher youth levels as well.
One of the best sources of ideas for pick and roll plays is watching professional and national teams from
around the world compete in professional leagues and FIBA competitions.
One of the common characteristics of international team's pick and roll concepts is the use of running false actions before setting up the pick and roll action to create the most advantageous matchups.
Keep in mind these teams use a shot clock at all levels, so you can adjust these plays as quick hitters or entries into your half-court offense.
Play 1
Mike D’Antoni brought this PNR action to the NBA and you see it frequently now from a variety of entries. NBA scouts usually call this a Knicks PNR action.
This was taken from a recent Euroleague game (Euroleague is the top professional league outside of the US made up of professional teams from countries such as Spain, Russia, and Israel).
In the diagram, #3 will cut off #4 to the opposite wing area as #2 clears to the opposite corner. #5 will also clear to the opposite block. #1 passes to #3.
#3 could initially drive it to the rim if open. If not, #4 sprints across to set a ball screen for #3. #3 drives off the screen and passes to #1. With the ball in the air to #1, #5 sprints up and sets a ball screen for #5.
#1 and #5 now run a 2 man game in the middle of the floor and #2 spots up in the corner.
BTW, this set is also effective against zone. #5 would set the screen on the outside shoulder of the top of the zone and can short roll into the middle of the zone.
