5 Backdoor Plays For Your Offense

Make your opponents pay for over pressure

Coaches, here are 5 backdoor sets that are simple to install that you can use in your offense.

This can come in handy against teams that are denying passes, as a quick hitter for your best player, or out of a timeout.

Quick coaching point: make sure you have a counter for if the backdoor isn’t there. Your players must understand that a.) they don’t HAVE to throw the backdoor pass and b.) there is a plan if the initial action doesn’t work.

Let’s dive in (paid subscribers - scroll to the end to get all 5 plays in PDF format as a mini-playbook):

1. CLEAR OUT BACKDOOR - By lifting 5 and cutting 4 through, you open up some space for 3 to cut backdoor. If 2 is a shooter, you can optimize that spacing even more. If the backdoor isn’t there, you can have 3 post up down low without much help or have 5 sprint into an empty ballscreen.

   

2. OPEN - this is a classic backdoor set that can make teams that deny entry passes to the wing pay. 4 lifts to take away help, 5 flashes high, and 2 goes backdoor - timing is critical on this one. If the backdoor isn’t there, 1 can run off 5 for a handoff. Then they can run empty ballscreen or whatever you want.

   

3. HORNS BACKDOOR - the stagger away from the ball (especially if 2 is a shooter) takes away help. 5 should also sell that the action is for 2 before turning to throw it backdoor to 3. You have a lot of options for 2 to keep moving after the screen as well (into a handoff for 5 for example). This would be even more tough to guard if you have been running the same set actually looking for 2 during the game.

   

4. DUKE CLEAR BACKDOOR - another simple “lift and go backdoor” play. This one is a little different due to ball location. 4 sprints to middle and receives the pass from 1. 5 must time his cut for 4’s catch. 2 goes backdoor.

   

5. SYRACUSE BALL SCREEN BACKDOOR - the decoy ball screen from 4 (1 doesn’t use it - he just reverses when it comes) clears some space and lifts x4. 5 catches and acts like they are going into a dribble handoff, but then hits 3 backdoor. This is also a good set to use if you’ve been ACTUALLY running the handoff. Make sure 2 can shoot.

Remember, HC Extra subscribers - scroll down below the subscription button for your PDF.

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