5 Set plays from 1-4 High Set by Tedi Yaghoubian

Written by Tedi Yaghoubian

Tedi Yaghoubian is a head basketball coach at Northern Suburbs Basketball Association in Sydney Australia – currently coaching Men’s Under 18 representative squad. Last year the Norths Bears won the metropolitan championship and were runners-up at the NSW State Shied Tournament. Coach Yaghoubian’s playing experience includes representative basketball for Norths Bears State League Division 1 team as well as many years of playing at club level.

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Basketball Set Plays

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September 16, 2015

5 Set plays from 1-4 High Set by Tedi Yaghoubian

Here is a mini playbook containing 5 set plays out of 1-4 high set – “14 Series” which I have picked up over the years from watching various teams at in particularly collegiate level. I have found actions run out of 1-4 high set to be excellent pressure release actions against pressure defences. These sets present opportunities for back cuts which can result in easy layups and post-up isolation opportunities for good post players.

Just like all other set plays execution has to be emphasised at all times. This means hard scoring cuts, setting good screens, patience and solid passing by all players are keys to the successful execution of these sets.

The first 1-4 High Set: “14 Back” is one that we’ve had lots success with at high school level in particularly against defences that likes to deny wing entries (which is very common at high school level). An easy pinch post entry initiates a hard back cut by the wing resulting in an easy layup as one option within this play. Weak side cross pick into a dribble hand-off action occupies the help defence as well as giving a driver a chance to dribble penetrate and make a play. The guards are taught to make reads off the hand-off.

The second 1-4 High Set: “14 Double” is a good quick hitting action to run for a good 3 point shooting point guard. With a side pick and roll and a staggered screening action on the weak side, all 5 players are involved and the defence is constantly on the move. This is a simple action with multiple reads when the wing comes off the on-ball.
The third set “14 Down” is a set play from Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall which has multiple scoring options including back cuts, post-up and a wide pin down action for a wing player who then makes the subsequent read off the screen.

The next variation of out of this 1-4 high set series is “14 Rip” designed to take advantage of a big that can post up and score inside. A down screen action after the rip screen gives this quick hitter an outside option scoring for a shooter. It’s an excellent after time out set and simple to execute for all levels.

The next 1-4 High Set play “14 Through” is another great after time-out variation designed primarily to get a 3-point shooter a wide open 3-pointer off of an elevator screen action. Timing is the key for the bigs when setting their screens. They must look to slip it to the basket if their man helps up on the cutter. This can also be run when you’re team is trailing by 3+ points late in games and you need a quick 3 point shot.

The most important coaching point with all these variations is teaching players how to read and react and not necessarily “play the play”. As players improve in making reads and reacting, defence is forced to stay honest, which then allows the offensive team to take advantage of their options out of these actions.

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