Half-Court Set Play
Run a simple designed play to a good shot.
What this drill teaches
Timing and trust in a shared plan. Running a designed play teaches every player that their cut or screen matters even when they never touch the ball — and gives the team a reliable way to create a good shot on purpose.
In games: For the possessions that need an answer — out of a timeout, against a set defence, needing one good shot late — your team has something to run instead of hoping.
- Everyone at their spot on time, without being steered
- Screens and cuts made at full effort even away from the ball
- The shot the play was designed for actually getting taken
U12: run it with no defence until it's smooth — forgotten spots are normal. U14–U16: expect it against live defence, plus the backdoor counter when the first pass is denied.
Equipment
1 ball, half court
Setup
Five players in a starting alignment; walk through one set.
Steps
- 1Run the set: a pass, a cut and a screen to a shot.
- 2Everyone knows their spot and timing.
- 3Add light defence once the timing is clean.
- 4Finish with the designed shot.
Coaching points
- Spacing and timing make the play work.
- Screen and cut with purpose.
- Hit the open player the play creates.
Why kids love it
Older teams love running an actual 'play' — it builds structure and confidence.
Variations
Run it with no defence until it's smooth.
Run the set against live defence and score only on the shot the play creates.
Add one counter for a denied first pass — the wing cuts backdoor instead.