Attacking a Diamond & One Defense
"Back Cut Offense"
The Diamond & One defense is weak in the corners and middle. "Back Cut" Offense is an excellent offense to exploit these weaknesses. It not only produces open looks, but more importantly, easy lay-ups and offensive putbacks. In addition, the Back Cut offense also uses Single/Double baseline screens to free up the Star player. It will definitely force any opponent out of a Diamond & One defense.
| Basic Rotation | Entry Left | Implementation | Case for Defense |
Offensive Fundamentals Required
Schematic Sequence
Post Entry
First Look Back Cuts
Back Cut
Ballhandler O1 drives the gap between X1 and X2 as post O5 flashes into the middle. O5 looks for shot or for wing O3 back cutting to basket as O4 sets a back screen for Star on weakside.
Weakside Back Screen
If O3 is not open on back cut, O5 looks to feed Star coming off O4's weakside back screen. O1 also has an option of direct pass to Star.
Second Look Corner Cut
Back Cut
Ballhandler O1 cuts to corner on entry pass to wing O3. Wing O3 then looks to pass to post O5 breaking up to high post area. O5 then looks to feed O1 on baseline back cut. Post O4 sets weakside back screen for Star.
Dribble Penetration
Wing O3 can also pass to O1 in corner for open shot or baseline drive.
Third Look Single/Double Action
Base Cross
When O1 does not receive a feed on baseline back cut, they continue to the basket setting a base screen for Star. Wing O3 passes to post O5 stepping out and sets a baseline down screen. Star coming off O4's back screen cuts to opposite wing off O1's and O3's base screen for open shot.
Fake Cross
If the Star's defender cheats over the base screens, the Star can double back off O4's down screen. O5 looks to feed Star for open shot or O4 rolling to basket. O1 reverses back off O3's down screen.
Left Side Entry
First Look Back Cut
Back Cut
Ballhandler O1 drives the gap between X1 and X2 as post O4 flashes into the middle. O4 looks for shot or for wing O3 back cutting to basket. O5 sets a back screen for Star on weakside.
Weakside Back Screen
If O3 is not open on back cut, O4 looks to feed Star coming off O5's weakside back screen. O1 also has an option of direct pass to Star.
Second Look Corner Cut
Back Cut
Ballhandler O1 cuts to corner on entry pass to wing O3. Wing O3 then looks to pass to post O5 breaking up to high post area. O5 then looks to feed O1 on baseline back cut. Post O4 sets weakside back screen for Star.
Dribble Penetration
Wing O3 can also pass to O1 in corner for open shot or baseline drive.
Third Look Single/Double Action
Base Cross
When O1 does not receive a feed on baseline back cut, they continue to the basket setting a base screen for Star. Wing O3 passes to post O5 stepping out and sets a baseline down screen. Star coming off O4's back screen cuts to opposite wing off O1's and O3's base screen for open shot.
Fake Cross
If the Star's defender cheats over the base screens, the Star can double back off O4's down screen. O5 looks to feed Star for open shot or O4 rolling to basket. O1 reverses back off O3's down screen.
Implementation
Like any offense, the key to the success of the Triangle & Two "Back Cut" Offense is in its execution and coordination. Players need to be well prepared to execute double screens, base screens and strong post ups. In addition, players have to think and function as one unit. This requires proper defensive recognition, non-verbal communication, timing and experience.
Breakdown Drills:
1-on-1 Drill: Low Post Isolation
Game Strategies
Scout your opponent if possible. Players need to know what reads to expect during the game. Opponents will generally use only a primary and secondary defense technique in defending screens and post ups. In addition, to their defensive schemes, observer their player match ups. Educate and explain the anticipated defensive reads and their counters. When scouting is not possible, scout your opponent during the game.
Be conscience and alert to any defensive changes or adjustments, especially after substitutions and timeouts. Don't hesitate in deploying various alignments and entries during the game so that defenders cannot focus on defending just one set. Move players around and attack the weakest defenders.
Diamond & One Defense
A derivative of the Box & One combination defense, the "Diamond & One" four defenders zone while the fifth player assumes a strong pass denial position against the opponents scoring ace. The Diamond & One alignment is best deployed when the opponents use an odd or one guard front offense.
To learn more about the Triangle & Two Defense - Click Here
Return to Combination Offenses - Click Here
Return to Offensive Strategies - Click Here
Return to HoopTactics - Click Here
