March/April 2019 - 26

THE BLACKBOARD
UMASS
UMass is a play we run against
By Don Kloth, Warren Township
High School, Illinois
man-to-man defense. It's designed to
get our two most effective pick-androll
players working together.
DIAGRAM 1: We begin in a box set
with our two key pick-and-roll players
on the same side of the alignment.
In this case, we want 2 and 4 on the
elbow on the right side. As 1 dribbles
toward 2 and 4, 3 cuts up the lane and
out to the right wing off of 4's screen.
This initial movement is used as
misdirection.
DIAGRAM 2: After 3 cuts off of 4,
2 cuts to the opposite wing off of 5's
screen. 1 changes direction and makes
an entry pass to 2.
DIAGRAM 3: After the entry pass,
1 sets a brush screen for 4. As this
happens, 5 clears out across the lane
to the right box area. 4 sprints after 1's
screen and sets a side ball-screen for 2
on the left wing.
DIAGRAM 4: 2 gives a strong ball
fake left and use 4's side ball screen. 2
must drive hard off of the ball screen
for at least two dribbles to create space
between himself and 4. Options are:
* 2 driving into the lane for a pull up
jumper.
* 4 rolling to the left box for a layup
or popping out to the left wing for
a jumper.
* 5 stepping hard into the lane for a
post pass.
DIAGRAM 5: 4 could initially slip
the screen if their defender hedges
out too far or too soon. If it's open, 2
could hit 4 on the slip.
DIAGRAM 6: If 4 slips and does not
receive a pass from 2, 5 screens across
for 2 and the side pick-and-roll action
continues. This play offers several
options and has proven difficult to
defend.
DIAGRAM 5
DIAGRAM 6
DIAGRAM 1
DIAGRAM 2
DIAGRAM 3
DIAGRAM 4
26 MARCH/APRIL 2019
March/April 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March/April 2019
