What to Discover or Recall . . .
The early Numbered Break is a single guard break.
In this three lane break, players are given specific roles and responsiblities.
The numbered break is easy to teach and learn.
Players love to run it.
Early Numbered Break
| Player Roles | Basic Actions | Pressure Releases | Variations |
The key to a successful early push is a team's ability to make the transition to offense and bust out faster than the opponent can make a defensive transition and get back. If executed to perfection early push usually ends up with an easy shot off an out numbered situation. However, gaining an out numbered player advantage is not the only benefit from an early push. Easy baskets and/or defensive fouls are also a result of the defensive players not having enough time to set up, and often end up out of position unable to make a play. Easy baskets and defensive fouls off player mismatches are another benefit to the early push, since the defensive players do not have ample amount of time to assume their desired matchups.
Basically, early Numbered Break is a three lane attack with court balance and spacing being crucial. The ball is outletted or inbounded to a specific point guard O1 who in turn pushes the ball up the court on a head up, hard dribble. The player O4 inbounding the ball or making the outlet pass assumes the trailer position. The shooting guard O2 and quick forward O3 break out to the wings, running wide lanes. The post O5 runs the middle lane on a fly route or doubles back to become the secondary outlet against full court pressure.
Player Roles & Responsibilities
Early push execution demands that players assume and carry out definite assignments and responsibilities on every break. This will allow players to become specialist in their assigned roles and will keep the court balance by preventing two players assuming the same position on a break during a game. Except for the post and trail positions, interchange player roles after they master their primary role.
| Point Guard | Right Wing | Left Wing | Post Fly | Trail |
Point Guard (Best Ball Handler)
Primary Actions:
- Responsible for receiving primary outlet pass and advancing ball down court.
- Receives as long as an inbound pass that the defense will allow with back (numbers) to sideline so that they can see entire floor.
- Uses a head up, hard dribble to advance the ball.
- Make good decisions and get ball to open man. Creates scoring opportunities for teammates.
- Pass ahead when ever possible and use the dribble sparingly.
- Make sharp, accurate passes looking off receiver prior to making the pass.
- Stop dribble penetration at the free throw line. Not pretty but very effective.
- If/when ever defense overplays passing lanes to wing, look to drive past defender for score or make kick out pass if wing defender helps out on penetration. Against a sagging defense pull up for jump shot at the free throw line.
Secondary Actions:
Give & Go Cut
When the defender X1 plays to the inside, the point can make an entry pass to wing and cuts to basket looking for return pass or post up. The give and go also can be executed by rubbing off high post screen.
Screen Away
Point makes entry pass to wing and screens opposite.
Dribble Clear
When the wing is over played, the point guard dribbles clears the wing. Wing O2 clears out looking for backcut pass. Wing O2 has options of continuing out to opposite wing or posting up or curling up to the free throw line.
The point guard also has the option of turning the corner for a drive to the basket whenever they feel they can beat their defender one-on-one.
RIGHT WING (Most Accurate Long Range Shooter)
Primary Actions:
- Anticipates ball possession and fills right lane quickly.
- Sets up for shot or drive from right wing.
- Interchanges, crosses and executes base screens with left wing.
- Assumes defensive responsibility.
Secondary Actions:
Baseline Cross
When the wings do not receive the ball on run outs, they have the option of creating a lead by executing a baseline cross.
Fake Baseline Cross
When defenders anticipate baseline cross and overplay, wings can fake crossing by stopping under basket and popping back out to same side.
Dribble Clear
If the wing is overplayed, the point dribble clears the wing. Wing O2 makes a backcut to the basket looking for a backdoor feed from O1. If the wing O2 does not receive a pass on the initial backcut, O2 then has options of posting up or clearing out to opposite wing for reversal pass shot or curling up to free throw line for shot.
Turnout
Wing O3 (big) sets a base screen for opposite wing O2 (small). Point O1 looks to feed O2 coming off O3's screen feed O3 on roll if defense switches. When the defender X2 cheats over the screen, O2 should make a "V Cut" and fade to corner for shot.
Turnout - Base Curl
When defender X2 trails wing O2 off O3's base screen, O2 curls around the screen looking for feed from point for possible lay up. If point O1 does not pass to O2 on curl, O1 takes ball to wing on dribble and looks to feed O3 posting up.
Side Screen
Wing O2 sets a hard side screen for O1. O1 drives off screen for shot or layup or passes back to O2 rolling to the basket or popping out for shot.
LEFT WING (Best all around player)
Primary Actions:
- Responsible for running left wing.
- Sets up for shot or drive from left wing.
- Goes to offensive boards hard. Secondary defensive rebounder.
- Interchanges, crosses and executes base screens with right wing.
- Plays tenacious defensive player. Usually draws toughest opponent to guard.
Secondary Actions:
Baseline Cross
When the wings do not receive the ball on run outs, they have the option of creating a lead by executing a baseline cross.
Fake Baseline Cross
When defenders anticipate baseline cross and overplay, wings can fake crossing by stopping under basket and popping back out to same side.
Dribble Clear
When the wing is overplayed, the point dribble clears the wing. Wing O3 makes a backcut
to the basket looking for a backdoor feed from O1. If the wing O3 does not receive a pass on the initial backcut, O3 then has options of posting up or clearing out to opposite wing for reversal pass shot or curling up to free throw line
for shot.
Turnout
Wing O2 sets a base screen for opposite wing O3. Point O1 looks to feed O3 coming off O2's screen or feed O2 on roll if defense switches. When the defender X3 cheats over the screen, O3 should make a "V Cut" and fade to corner for shot.
Turnout - Base Curl
When defender X3trails wing O3 off O2's base screen, O3 curls around the screen looking for feed from point for possible lay up. If point O1 does not pass to O3 on curl, O1 takes ball to wing on dribble and looks to feed O2 posting up.
Side Screen
Wing O3sets a hard side screen for O1. O1 drives off screen for shot or layup or passes back to O3 rolling to the basket or popping out for shot.
POST FLY (PRESSURE RELEASE)
Primary Actions:
- Responsible for running middle lane or secondary outlet option if needed.
- Runs fly option attempting to beat opponent down court.
- Establishes position on ball side for quick post isolation.
- Executes base screens for wings, or pops out to set back screens for trailer.
- Goes hard to the defensive boards.
- Possesses or develops good ball handling skills.
Secondary Actions:
Post Fly
Post O5 runs out hard attempting to beat oponent down court.
Strong Post Up
If/when post does not receive ball on run out, post cuts to ball side and posts up. Point can either feed post directly or pass to wing O2 for post feed. Point can also dribble clear wing and feed post O5.
Side Screen Action
Post steps out and sets an on ball screen for wing O2 initiating screen and roll action.
Base Screen
On point O1's entry pass to wing, post O5 sets a base screen for O4. Wing looks to feed O4 coming off the base screen.
High Post Flash - Back Cut
When defender X2 overplays the wing entry pass to O2, post O5 breaks up to the free throw line looking for a pass from O1. O5 then looks to feed O2 on back door cut. If O2 is not open, O1 initiates two game action with O5.
High Post Flash - Post Rub
Post initiates a high post rub cut ("UCLA") action by breaking up to free throw line and setting a back pick for O1. Wing O2 looks to feed O1 on basket cut or posting up.
INBOUNDER/TRAIL (Best Defensive Rebounder)
Primary Actions
- Responsible for defensive rebounding and making a good outlet pass, or inbounding the ball after made shot, to trigger the quick break.
- Possesses and develops good passing skills.
- Sees the floor and executes a quick but safe outlet or inbounds pass (should take a five second count rather than throw ball away.
- Responsible for maintaining defensive court balance and does not cross half court until early push is stopped.
- Proficient at defending the "out numbered" situation.
- Looks for open shot from top of circle or lob pass off back screen.
Secondary Actions:
Mid Screen
Trail O4 initiates mid screen/roll action by executing an on ball screen on defender X1. O4 has option off popping out for shot rather than rolling to basket.
Down Screen
Trailer O4 sets a down screen on the weakside for O3 and rolls to basket. O1 looks to pass to O3 coming off the down screen or to feed O3 rolling to basket if the defense should switch.
Weakside Lob
Weakside wing O3 sets a back screen for O4 near free throw line. O1 looks to make an over the top lob pass to O4.
Ball Reversal
Point O1 passes back to trailer O4. Trailer O4 has options of shooting , driving or passing to wing O3 and making a basket cut.
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Basic Actions
Pass Ahead
Basic action begins with a quick but safe outlet or inbounds pass to point O1 on the move. O1 immediately looks up the court to pass ahead to shooters O2 or O3 sprinting out on wings or to O5 flying down middle. When O1 cannot pass ahead, O1 advances the ball on a hard dribble. Shooters have green light to shoot any open shot since the defense is at a big rebounding disadvantage during transition.
If/when the early push does not create a good shot or advantage it is important to move right into the offensive flow without allowing the defense to set up.
Dribble Penetration
Once point O1 crosses half court, O1 looks to "Pound Cake" the ball directly inside to O5 or to pass to wing O2. Trailer O4 down screens for O3 on weakside. When O1 passes to O2, O1 screens away for shooter O3. If O2 is unable to feed post O5, O2 makes a reversal pass out to O3 coming off O4's and O1's tandem down screens.
Dribble Penetration - Left Side
When the point O1 crosses half court on left side, O1 looks to "Pound Cake" the ball directly inside to O5 or to pass to wing O3. Trailer O4 down screens for O2 on weakside. When O1 passes to O3, O1 screens away for shooter O2. If O3 is unable to feed post O5, O3 makes a reversal pass out to O2 coming off O4's and O1's tandem down screens.
Inbounds Pressure Releases
Post Help Option - Diagonal Cut
If/when the inbounds pass to point O1 is contested or doubled team, post O5 doubles back receiving the secondary inbounds pass from O4. O5 then looks to hit O1 on diagonal cut. O2 and O3 fill outside lanes while O4 and O5 trail.
Help Option - Both Primary and Secondary Outlets Denied
If/when both the primary and secondary receivers O1 and O5 are denied, wings O2 and O3 break back to help out. Point O1 breaks long and O4 looks to make a baseball pass to O1, leading O1 to opposite free throw circle. If the long pass to O1 is not available, O5 looks to inbound to O2 or after a made shot run along baseline and inbounds to O3. When O1 does not receive the long pass, O1 breaks to the sideline that the ball is inbounded looking for feed.
Optional Finishing Variations
Back Screen (Lob)
Occasionally during the game, a weakside back screen can be executed very effectively. Instead of the normal down screen, wing O3 breaks up to the free throw line and sets a solid back screen for trailer O4. Point O1, after focusing the defense attention away from the back screen by faking an entry pass to O2, makes an over the top lob pass to O4.
Back Screen - Left Side Entry
To initiate the weakside lob, O2 breaks up to the free throw line and sets a solid back screen for trailer O4. Point O1, after focusing the defense attention away from the back screen by faking an entry pass to O3, makes an over the top lob pass to O4.
Mid Screen Action
Mid Screen action is initiated by trailer O4 setting a mid screen for O1. The point guard has the options of turning the corner for a hard drive to the basket, a pull up jumper if the defense goes below O4's screen, feeding O4 rolling to basket when the defense switches or making a kick out pass to the shooter spotting up on the wing when their defender drops off to help out on O1's dribble penetration.
Left Side Entry
Mid Screen action is initated by trailer O4 setting a mid screen for O1. The point O1 has the options of turning the corner for a hard drive to the basket, a pull up jumper (if the defense goes below O4's screen, feeding O4 rolling to the basket when the defense switches or making a kick out pass to the shooter spotting up on the wing if their defender drops off to help out on O1's dribble penetration.
Additional Flow Actions
When the initial push does not produce a good shot, the numbered break flows directly into early offense actions.
| Point Options | Wing Options | Post Options | Trail Options |
Secondary Point Options:
"Give & Go" Cut
When the defender X1 plays to the inside, the point can make an entry pass to wing and cuts to basket looking for return pass or post up. The give and go also can be executed by rubbing off high post screen.
Screen Away
Point makes entry pass to wing and screens opposite.
Dribble Clear
When the wing is over played, the point guard dribbles clears the wing. Wing O2 clears out looking for backcut pass. Wing O2 has options of continuing out to opposite wing or posting up or curling up to the free throw line.
Point Isolation
The point guard has the option of turning the corner for a drive to the basket whenever he feels he can beat his defender one-on-one.
Secondary Wing Options:
Baseline Cross
When the wings do not receive on run out, they have the option of creating a lead by executing a baseline cross.
Fake Baseline Cross
When defenders anticipate baseline cross and overplay, wings can fake crossing by stopping under basket and popping back out to same side.
Dribble Clear
When the wing is overplayed, the point dribble clears the wing. Wing O2 makes a backcut to the basket looking for a backdoor feed. If the wing O2 does not receive a pass on the initial backcut, O2 then has options of posting up or clearing out to opposite wing for reversal pass shot or curling up to free throw line for shot.
Turnout
Wing O3 (big) sets a base screen for opposite wing O2 (small). Point O1 looks to feed O2 coming off O3's screen feed O3 on roll if defense switches. When the defender X2 cheats over the screen, O2 should make a "V Cut" and fade to corner for shot.
Turnout - Base Curl
When defender X2 trails wing O2 off O3's base screen, O2 curls around the screen looking for feed from point for possible lay up. If point O1 does not pass to O2 on curl, O1 takes ball to wing on dribble and looks to feed O3 posting up.
Side Screen
Wing O2 sets a hard side screen for O1. O1 drives off screen for shot or layup or passes back to O2 rolling to the basket or popping out for shot.
Secondary Post Options:
Post Fly
Post O5 runs out hard attempting to beat oponent down court.
Strong Post Up
When post does not receive ball on run out, post cuts to ball side and posts up. Point can either feed post directly or pass to wing O2 for post feed. Point can also dribble clear wing and feed post O5.
Side Screen
Post steps out and sets an on ball screen for wing O2 initiating screen and roll action.
Base Screen
On point O1's entry pass to wing, post O5 sets a base screen for O4. Wing looks to feed O4 coming off the base screen.
Post Flash - Back Door
When defender X2 overplays the wing entry pass to O2, post O5 breaks up to the free throw line looking for a pass from O1. O5 then looks to feed O2 on back door cut. If O2 is not open, O1 initiates two game action with O5.
Post Flash - High Post Rub
Post initiates a high post rub cut (UCLA) action by breaking up to free throw line and setting a back pick for O1. Wing O2 looks to feed O1 on basket cut or posting up.
Secondary Trail Options:
Mid Screen
Trail O4 initiates mid screen/roll action by executing an on ball screen on defender X1. O4 has option off popping out for shot rather than rolling to basket.
Down Screen
Trailer O4 sets a down screen on the weakside for O3 and rolls to basket. O1 looks to pass to O3 coming off the down screen or to feed O3 rolling to basket if the defense should switch,
Weakside Lob
Weakside wing O3 sets a back screen for O4 near free throw line. O1 looks to make an over the top lob pass to O4.
Ball Reversal
Ball Reversal
Point O1 passes back to trailer O4. Trailer O4 has options of shooting , driving or passing to wing O3 and making a basket cut.
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