Chris Mack Xavier Pick and Roll Flex by Jacob Collins

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.

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Basketball Set Plays

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October 2, 2012

Coaches, today’s action is a combination of two very common basketball offenses. Xavier’s Chris Mack is know for his teams tenacious pack-line defense as well as successful continuity pick and roll offense. This action starts with a simple cross screen to open the wings up for action. Also, it forces the bigs on defense to guard an extra screen before wheeling out to set a ballscreen freeing up time and space.

The clear side ballscreen is an excellent action (frame 2). This is because the ballhandler has almost limitless options in what he is going to do. By having an empty corner and an empty post this gives him the opportunity to reject the ballscreen and attack baseline.

The key to having the clear side pick and roll be a success though is the action on the weakside, the helpside defenders have to keep moving. So in this set, the 4 man pops out as a pressure relief and if the screen is hedged hard he likely has an over the top pass for the 5 man to score a layup. Also, the 2 man who is on the weakside wing dives into the post which gives the ballhandler as well as the 4 man another option off of his catch.

If Xavier was running its continuity the 4 man would generally screen after his pass. Instead, the run the flex off this action which is great for because if swung quickly 5’s defender is likely still out of place from the ballscreen. If 2’s man helps then he will be easily freed up by 4 for a jumper at the top of the key.