UCLA Offense Against Trap Defenses by Wes Kosel

Here are two plays used by UCLA and Head Coach Steve Alford against teams that like to trap ball screens. The first play overloads one side of the floor to create space for the ball screener to roll and get the pass. For a high ball screen in the second play, UCLA runs the action towards the two-man side leaving the backside defender in a position to decide whether to guard the shooter or the roll man. When playing against trap defenses, it is important to have good spacing and timing.

Alford just finished his 3rd season at UCLA and 25th season overall as a head coach. He has a 528-275 record and has been the head coach at Manchester, Missouri State, Iowa, New Mexico, and UCLA. He won the most games at New Mexico, where he was 155-52 in six seasons. Alford played at Indiana under Bobby Knight, and then went on to play in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors. As a player, he won the NCAA Championship and was named Big Ten MVP in 1987.

Steve Alford UCLA Offense Against Trap Defenses

Overload Side PNR

To beat the trap on the ball screen, UCLA overloads the right side of the floor as the ball screen is set on the left wing. The point guard embraces the trap towards half court as 5 rolls towards the basket. If the helpside defenders don’t move over, 5 will be open on the roll.

Tandem Double

For a high ball screen, UCLA runs the action towards the two-man side. As the big rolls into the lane, the defender on the single side now has to choose whether to help on the roll or guard the shooter elevating up from the corner.

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UCLA Offense Against Trap Defenses