UCLA (HIGH POST RUB) OFFENSE
What to Discover or Recall. . .
This potent high post attack was instrumental to the success of many of UCLA's NCAA championship teams under coach John Wooden, and is commonly used on all levels of basketball including the NBA.
Like any successful offense, it is based on very sound principles and excellent court spacing. It utilizes both an inside and an outside attack.
The UCLA Offense is a viable option for teams that do not have a bona fide low post player since it takes full advantage of a post player with good passing and shooting skills along with a point guard's ability to post up.
With it's quick reversal simultaneous down screens poses severe problems even for the best defensive teams.Although the UCLA high post offense can be run from various offensive alignments, the 1 - 4 set is favored because of pressure defenses. It is very flexible in that players can interchange positions readily especially the 4 and 5 positions and the 2 and 3 positions. It can also be initiated on either side of the court. The basic option is for the point guard 01 to make an entry pass to wing O3 and rub off O5's high post screen. 03 looks to feed O1 either for layup on basket cut or posting up against a weaker defender. If a good shot is not available for O1, wing O3 looks to make a reversal pass to O5 stepping out.
| Basic Reads | Ball Reversal | Automatics | Installing | Game Strategy | Case for Defense |
Offensive Fundamentals Required
Creating Leads - Proven Techniques to Get OpenSchematic Sequence
Phase 1. High Post Rub Cut
The success of any offense is dependent on precise execution. "It's not what you run, but how you run it that counts." In executing the UCLA Offense, it is not only important for the high post to set a solid screen, but it is equally important for the point guard to set up and use the screen properly.
All players need to know the various defensive reads and proper execution of their counters. However, during an actual game, the opponent will mainly deploy and use only one of these defensive tactics.
Basic Reads and Counters. What if the....
Click on desired read below to view illustrated counter option.
What if the defender TRAILS the cutter?
What if the defender over plays and DENIES ball side basket cut?
What if the defender goes BEHIND the screen?
What if the defenders SHOW & RECOVER against the high post rub?
What if the defense SWITCHES on the high post rub?
Smaller defender is MISMATCHED INSIDE against post.
Bigger defender MISMATCHED OUTSIDE against quicker ball handler.
What if the defenders ANTICIPATE the switch and zone.
Guard BACK SCREEN option.
Read: Defender TRAILS OVER the screen
COUNTER: Basic High Post Rub
After passing to O3, point guard O1 walks the defender X1 into the high post screen. When the defender X1 assumes an inside position and chases O1 over the high post screen, O1 makes a ball side cut to the basket looking for a return pass from O3 for layup. O1 also has the option of posting up against X1.
Read: Defender DENIES the outside basket cut
COUNTER: Cutter Cuts Inside
When the defender X1 blocks O1's direct cut to the basket by assuming an outside pass denial position, O1 cuts to the inside off O5's high post screen looking for a return pass from O3 for layup. O1 again has the option of posting up against X1.
Read: Defender goes BEHIND screen
COUNTER: High Post Bump
When the defender X1 cheats and goes behind O5's high post screen, O1 pops ("bumps") back out for open shot. O1 can also pass to O2 coming off O4's weakside down screen when the shot is not available.
Read: Post Defender SHOWS & RECOVERS
COUNTER: High Post Slips the Screen
When the defender X5 steps out (shows) on O1's basket cut, O5 immediately slips the screen and cuts away to the basket looking for a quick pass from wing O3.
Read: Defenders SWITCH on the rub cut
COUNTER 1: High Post Roll
When the defense switches on the post rub, O1 immediately clears out to the corner and O5 rolls to the basket against smaller defender.
NOTE: When defensive players X1 and X5 anticipate switching the high post rub, O5 can also slip (cut away) to basket for shot.
COUNTER 2: Corner Isolation (1-on-1)
Against the defensive switch, when O1 has a definite advantage over bigger X5, O5 pops out allowing O1 to go One-on-One against X5 from the Corner. If/when O1's shot is not available, post O5 can then dive to the basket to exploit smaller X1.
Back Screen (Pow) Option
If wing O3 cannot feed O1 on basket cut, O1 has the option of setting a back screen for O5.
Post Lob. Wing O3 looks to make a lob pass to O5 rolling to basket off O1's back screen.
Post Isolation. When the defense switches, O3 looks to feed O5 posting up against smaller defender X1.
Posting Up Strong
For the Post Isolation to be effective, physical size alone is not enough, players posting up must be well schooled in the basic post moves. In addition, both the passer and post player must be cognizant of the location of defensive player.
Long time coach and present Laker assistant, Tex Winter, has not only brought the importance of court spacing along with the Triangle Post offense into the game, but he has also coined the phase "line of deployment" which assists players and coaches in "reading" and countering defensive post deployment.
Post Reads: What if the defender . . . .
Click on the desired read to view illustrated counter option
What if the defender plays on the HIGH SIDE of the post? Power Lay-up
What if the defender plays on the BASELINE SIDE of the post? Baby Hook
What if the defender plays on the BEHIND of the post? Face-Up
What if the defender FRONTS the post? Lob
What if the defense DOUBLE TEAMS the post? Trap Release
READ: Defender plays on the HIGH SIDE of the post.
COUNTER: Power Lay-up Option
When the defender X5 assumes a 3/4 pass denial position on the top side (above the line of deployment) of the post, the post should cheat up the lane, seal off the defender, and give the passer a target with the baseline hand. Passer should lead the post to the basket for power lay up. Post should maintain defensive seal until pass is overhead.
Corner Feed option.
When the defense assumes a 3/4 pass denial position on the top side of the post, the wing O3 has option of passing the ball to the corner for a better passing angle into the post.
READ: Defender plays on the BASELINE SIDE of the post.
COUNTER: Baby Hook Option
When the defender X5 assumes a 3/4 pass denial position on the baseline side (below the line of deployment) of the post, the post should cheat down the lane, seal off the defender, and present the passer a target with the top hand. Passer should lead the post to the basket for baby hook. The baby hook should be executed with a quick, long, lead step into the middle with the foot pointing toward sideline or corner. Shooting arm should be kept straight using a flipping wrist motion. Shooter should be end up facing the basket on follow through.
Point Feed option.
When the defense assumes a 3/4 pass denial position on the baseline side of the post, like with the post front, the wing has option of reversing the ball to the top of the circle for a better passing angle into the post.
READ: Defender plays BEHIND the post.
COUNTER: Turn & Face (Triple Threat)
When the defense X5 plays behind the post, the post should seal off the defender with a strong low, knees flexed stance, and give the passer a target with both hands. Upon receiving the pass, the post should make a strong pivot and face the basket assuming a triple threat position (drive, shoot or pass). Unless the defensive post is an extremely good shot blocker, the defensive player is at a big disadvantage.
Triple Threat Shot Options
Jump Shot. Defender has hands down.
Pump Fake and Drive. Defender anticipates and challenges shot.
Step Back. One dribble drive step toward basket then a quick step back to create separation from the defense.
Note: All three Triple Threat shot options are sequential read and react (attack) moves.
Defender FRONTS the post.
COUNTER: Post Lob Option
When the defense X5 assumes a full front denial position on the post, the post should force the defense out away from the basket, seal off the defender, and give the passer a target with the baseline hand. Passer should make a pass just over the top of the fronting defensive player. Note: It is important for the post to wait and not release the defensive seal until the pass is overhead.
Ball Reversal option.
Against the post front, the wing also has option of reversing the ball to the top of the circle for a better passing angle into the post.
Defenders DOUBLE TEAMS the post.
COUNTER 1: Pressure Release to Elbow
One of the best ways to counter the post double team is by attacking it before with quick moves before the trap can be set.
When the defense double teams by bringing a player across along the baseline on the low side, the post has option countering by releasing up to the elbow.
COUNTER 2: Pressure Release to Short Corner
When the defense double teams by bringing a player down from the top, the post has option of releasing to short corner on baseline.
Low Post Two Person Solo Cut Options
In addition to one-on-one isolation in low post area, the Post Isolation set readily flows into two-on-two action. The wing can initiates the two person game simply by feeding and cutting off the low post.
View Basic Post Up Reads & Counters - Click Here
Basic Low Post Split Options
In the past, post splits were a staple in the vast majority of offenses. Although, their use has waned in recent years, post splits remain a very potent weapon for creating easy and open shots. On post splits whoever feeds the post cuts first. Click view to view low post split options.
Note: Both cutters clear out if they do not receive the ball allowing the post to isolate one-on-one against defender X5.
View Basic Post Up Reads & Counters - Click Here
Phase 2. Ball Reversal Down Screens
When a good shot is not available off the high post rub action, then the UCLA offense flows directly into quick ball reversal down screens. Simple, but when well executed, Down Screens are a very effective means for getting the ball to good shooters for open shots along with creating low post mismatches if the defense should switch.
Although during a game, a team will only deploy one or two methods of defending down screens, players need to possess a working knowledge of all the defensive various reads and counters. In addition, coaches must stay active and alert to any defensive changes that the opponent may make during a game.
Setting and Using Down Screens Basic Reads and Counters. What if . . .
Click on desired read below to view illustrated counter option.
What if the defender CHASES & TRAILS the receiver?
What if the defender CHASES OUT LATE & TRAILS the receiver?
What if the defender goes CHEATS OVER the screen?
What if the defender goes CHEATS OVER the screen EARLY?
What if the defenders SWITCH against the screen?
What if the defenders SHOW & RECOVER on screen?
Weakside low POST SPLIT Option
Read: Defender CHASES OUT and trails the receiver.
Counter: Curl
When the defender CHASES OUT, the shooter curls off the screen for a quick open jump shot.
Read: Defender CHASES OUT LATE and trails the receiver.
Counter: Basket Curl
Note: When the defender CHASES OUT late, the shooter can curl all the way to the basket.
Read: Defender CHEATS OVER the screen.
Counter: Fade
When the defender goes OVER the screen, the shooter should fade to baseline for open jumper.
Read: Defender CHEATS OVER the screen EARLY.
Counter: Back Cut
When the defender anticipates and CHEATS OVER the screen early, the shooter can change direction and back cut to the basket for shot.
Read: Defenders SWITCH on the Down-Screen.
Counter: Screen and Roll
When the defenders SWITCH on the down screen, the receivers pops out to the wing, and the screener "Seals Off" the defender and rolls to the basket for shot.
Post Isolation
When defenders Switch, the receiver pops out directly out to the wing allowing post to exploit smaller defender. The high post can either feed post directly or pass to any of the peripheral players for the post feed.
Wing Isolation
When the defensive players switch, the screener can clear out to weakside isolating the shooter one-on-one on the wing against bigger defender X4. If the wing's shot is not available, the post can then dive to the basket to exploit smaller defender X2.
Read: Defenders SHOW & RECOVER against the down screen.
Counter: Slip the Screen
When the screener's defender SHOWS to help out on the down-screen, the screener immediately breaks off the screen and cuts away to the basket for shot.
Weakside Low Post Split Option
This ball reversal option is commonly executed by several NBA teams including the Utah Jazz. When O1 does not receive a pass on basket cut, O1 then goes weakside and splits with O2 off O4's down screen.
Wing O3 makes a reversal pass out to O5. O5 then looks to pass to O2 cutting baseline off O4's down screen or to O1 popping out weakside off O4's screen.
When defender X2 anticipates O2's baseline cut and plays low or switches, O2 cuts over the top of O4's screen for shot. O1 continues out off O4 for wing shot or post feed.
Automatic Counters vs Defensive Overplay
Since the success of High Post Rub Offense is entirely based on defensive reads, anytime the defense attempts to disrupt or deny a passing lane, it opens up automatic counter moves that usually result in easy baskets.
| Dribble Clear | Post Feed | Post Lob | Weakside Feed | Post Back Cut | Post Screen |
What if the defense denies . . . .
Click on desired read below to view illustrated over-play counter.
Read: Wing Entry Pass Denial
Counter: Dribble Clear
When defender X5 over plays and denies the entry pass to the wing, the point guard O1 dribbles towards the wing. Wing O3 makes a back cut to the basket looking for a pass from O1.
Read: Wing Entry Pass Denial
Counter: High Post Feed Option
When defender X3 over plays and denies the passing lane to the wing O3, the point guard O1 has the option of passing the ball directly to the high post. When the wing O3 sees the ball going to O5, O3 makes a back cut to the basket looking for a feed from O5.
Read: Defender Over Plays Post
High Post Lob
When defender X5 over plays and denies the passing lane to the post O5, O5 releases and makes a back cut to the basket looking for a quick lob pass from O1. If O1 cannot hit O5 on back cut, O1 then looks to make an entry pass to O4.
Read: Defender Over Plays Post
Weakside Post Entry Option
When the defensive players X3 and X5 over play and denies the passing lanes to both )3 and O5, point O1 has the option of making an entry pass to O4. When O1 passes to O4, O5 dives to the basket anticipating a pass from O4. Wings O2 and O3 spot up in corners. O4 also has option of taking X4 One-on-One.
Read: Post Reversal Pass Denial
High Post Back Cut
When defender X5 over plays and denies O3's reversal pass to O5, O1 clears to corner as O5 back cuts to basket looking for quick feed from O3.
Read: Post Reversal Pass Denial
Post Screen Option
When defender X5 over plays and denies O3's reversal pass to O5, O5 can set a diagonal screen for O4.
Teaching & Implementing the High Post Rub Offense
The key to the success of the High Post Rub Offense is in its execution and coordination. Players need to be well prepared to execute high post rub cuts and down screens. The ballhandler, screener and receiver have to think and function as one unit. This requires proper footwork, timing, non-verbal communication, and experience.
High Post Rub Breakdown Drills:
Caution: Before undertaking any offense, players must have a solid, working knowledge of all of its components.
Two Player Entries Drill (2-on-2) 3-on-3 Combination Drill (HP Rub, Down Screen & Side Screen Action)The Game Within a Game
Individual offensive skill development and improvement should be an integral part of every practice. In addition to early time (before practice) work, each player should, personally, have one or two individual fundamental techniques to work on during the course of a practice. The specific skill or skills will vary from player to player and can be assigned by the coaching staff or determined by the players themselves. As a reminder, the skill(s) should be written down on a 3 X 5 card and give it to each player prior to practice.
Game Strategies
Scout your opponent. Players need to know what reads to expect during the game. Opponents will generally use only a primary and secondary defense technique in defending side screens. Educate and explain the anticipated reads and their counters. When scouting is not possible, scout your opponent during the game.
Don't be a spectator and watch the ball 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.
The Case for the Defense
Even if you do not plan to use the UCLA High Post Rub Offense, you better be prepared to defend against it. It is one of the most used offenses in the game.
Continue and learn proven ways and techniques to disrupt the UCLA High Post Rub Offense
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