Euroleague Basketball Set Plays

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.

December 15, 2015

Euroleague Basketball Set Plays

Here is a mini playbook containing 4 Euroleague Basketball Set Plays out of different alignments including Horns, 1-4 high and 1-4 low.  European style offenses have become very popular in recent years including in the NBA as many teams are now duplicating and running many of these concepts in their offensive systems. Many coaches at other non-professional including high school and collegiate levels are also incorporating these types of actions into their playbooks allowing them to provide scoring opportunities for different personnel.

It was the European leagues that first utilised the concept a ‘stretch 4’ bringing their skilled and shooting big men and screeners away from the basket hence opening up the floor for penetrate and kick actions. These European teams also favour movement off the ball before initiating their ball screen action.

Just like all other Euroleague Basketball Set Plays and offensive concepts, execution has to be emphasised at all times. This means hard scoring cuts, setting good screens and patience; solid passing by all players and their ability to make reads of the defense are keys to the successful execution of these sets.

Euroleague Basketball Set Plays

Euroleague Basketball Set Plays – “14 Again”

The first set is out of a 1-4 high alignment involving back screens, zipper screens before the ball screen action. This set has multiple reads and scoring options. Depending on the personnel, coaches can have their screener either rolling or popping. The 4/5 positions are playing off of each other and must read what the other does in an offensive action. If the screener rolls, second big usually replaces. If the screener pops, the second big usually ducks in at the basket for a possible drop-off pass from the guard.

“41 Cross”

The next action out of 1-4 low alignment is a terrific late game / delay set. Usually the better shooting big screens his buddy into a ball screen. As 1 comes off the ball screen he/she has the freedom to make reads and make a play. The ball screener rolls while the second big replaces. This is very simple and yet very tough to defend against in particularly if the 4/5 can pass the ball as well – which many European players can do.

“Horns Rip”

This Horns action is designed to get a quick post up or a pick and pop action. The point guard has to be able to make reads and drive the ball to the basket if there’s an opportunity for dribble penetration.

“Greece”

This action is a very common and popular European action ran out of a 1-3-1 set utilising dribble weaves and high pick and rolls. This action was run frequently by the Greece national team that beat the US team in the 2006 World Championship. The former Soviet Union team also ran this play in 1988 Olympics in Seoul. This action is very tough to guard when executed properly with so much movement in the play.

I hope you find these European actions useful for your team and your programme in the upcoming season.

Click on the pdf link to download the Euroleague Set Plays:

Euroleague Set Plays

Deepen:

Youth Basketball Set Plays

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