As we continue to study and dissect the the variety of ways coaches can run a “Modern 5-Out Offense” {đź”’}, a more recent evolution of this style of play centers around the use of the corners when maintaining offensive flow. In an effort to play more “position-less basketball” within 5-Out spacing, some teams have moved away from traditional numbered breaks and instead focus on filling spots in transition.
This approach can lead to situations where the ball ends up in the corner with a player who may not be a strong shooter, such as a non-shooting 4-man, or someone not well-suited to being a “Triple-Threat” (drive, pass, shoot) from that position.
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For purposes of this breakdown, in what we’re calling a “Dead Corner,” the offense can begin to stall out when the ball reaches a player in that corner, losing any potential advantage if quick decisions to flow into other actions aren’t made.
*Side Note: All of today’s covered actions are also highly effective when a scorer or playmaker are involved too, not just non-shooters.
Whether in transition or after the initial 5-Out action (“play after the play”), as players space and re-space within a possession, teams should consider solutions for situations where there is no clear catch-and-shoot or catch-and-drive opportunity in the corner.
To explore these strategies, we were recently joined by G League Coach and former podcast guest, Jimmie Oakman, in another installment of our “Film Room Series” to review various concepts and actions that offenses can use to address awkward corner situations.
In our “Film Room” video and today’s newsletter, we break down these concepts into three key criteria:
- Concepts “Coming Out of the Corner” – Actions and 2-Man game concepts that the corner player can run when the ball is in the slot, prior to the ball reaching the corner on the extra pass.
- Concepts “In the Corner” – Solutions for when the ball has already reached the corner.
- Concepts “To the Corner” – Using the corner to punish a switching or aggressive PNR defense.
Concepts “Coming Out of the Corner” – Step Up Screens
As Coach Oakman details in today’s video, teams can use a variety of concepts prior to the ball reaching the corner on the extra pass., Instead of waiting for the ball to reach them in the corner, that player can play “uphill” via a flash or screen. For example, the player can sprint directly into a step-up screen.
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Zooming In: This action can easily transition into a ghost screen out of the corner, a tactic we discuss in detail in today’s “Film Room.”
A Quick Aside: The majority of the actions and concepts highlighted today are of the aforementioned “uphill” variety, meaning they involve the player moving out of the corner and taking the action up toward the slot. Traditionally, within a 5-Out offense, the slot player initiates the action “downward” toward the corner, using either a swing pass, pin down, or DHO. As defenses become more accustomed to these traditional actions, their base or shell defenses are better prepared to counter them through switching, “top locking”, DHO denials, and/or loading up on the weak side.
For instance, in the example below, upon receiving a reversal pass, if the player in the slot opts to run a traditional DHO to the corner (toward a non-shooter or not), the defense will likely either switch, “blow up”, or go under the screen. With the defense already loaded up at the nail and rim, any advantage the offense may have initially gained from the skip pass to the slot can be neutralized.
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However, in the scenario described above, the offense can counter the defense by sending a ghost screen out of the corner. This action draws the “low man” over on the penetration, creating an opportunity for the offense to exploit a soft spot in the defense with a 45 cut. This adjustment allows the offense to compromise the defense and maintain its advantage, even against well-prepared defensive schemes.
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Generally speaking, defenses are less prepared for these “uphill” actions, often leading to more significant confusion and miscommunication. This allows the offense to turn a small advantage into a bigger one. Additionally, uphill actions can disrupt nail help and enable the corner player to penetrate the paint, either through short roll catches or hand-off keeps.
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Additional concepts “Coming Out of the Corner” covered in our “Film Room” today, along with practice drills, include:
- Flash
- Ghost
Concepts “In the Corner” – Uphill DHO
Inevitably, there will be moments when the ball reaches the corner via a direct skip pass or penetration. In these cases, it is crucial to provide non-shooters with effective solutions so they can play confidently and without hesitation. Our favorite solution is flowing directly into an “uphill DHO” or pitch and screen with the slot on the catch…
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Zooming In 1.0: With the corner defender pulled in due to penetration, when the ball is kicked out to the corner, the offensive player can capitalize on this advantage by flowing directly into an uphill DHO or step-up screen. This creates an opportunity to further exploit the advantage, as the defender will likely be late to aid the slot defender.
Zooming In 2.0: Another advantage of these uphill screening actions is their ability to create great windows for a pocket pass or short roll catches. The unique angle of the player coming up from the corner allows them to more easily screen on the low side of the on-ball defender. This is lower angle is ideal for keeping the defense on their back should they switch (shown above), or for setting a borderline illegal but highly effective “Hot Stove” Screen. {đź”’}
Concepts “To the Corner” – Attacking the Switch
Lastly, we conclude our session with Coach Oakman by examining how the corner can be weaponized to attack the PNR switch. By using the pass to the corner, teams can help slower-footed bigs seal the switch and then win the race to the rim on the roll. This strategy leverages the corner to create advantageous mismatches and capitalize on the defense’s rotation.
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Zooming In: By screening on the low side of the on-ball defender, the big can effectively wall off the switch from the rim. Once the pass reaches the corner, the big starts rolling to the basket with the defender chases from behind.
Zooming In 2.0: When a great playmaker is in the corner, we have also looked at how a quick extra pass{đź”’} to attack a loaded up defender can also be super effective.
Our favorite thing about today’s breakdown with Coach Oakman is that it gives coaches more solutions to think about when a non-shooter inevitably finds themselves catching the ball in corner. Rather than having that player hoist up a contested 15-foot baseline jumper that sends your analytics department into fits, these options allow an offense to compound advantages on their way to better shot opportunities.
For much more on all of these concepts, this week’s newest “Film Room Series” with Coach Jimmie Oakman is available for SG Plus members on SGTV…
