Breakdown of a UCLA Offense Series: Example 1

The UCLA Offense is a staple of many teams. Understanding how a play works is one challenge, having the vision and knowledge to be able to link a series of plays together however, is a powerful strategy. Having the understanding and foresight to link a number of plays not only makes your team harder to scout, but allows a coach to build in options for dealing with a wide variety of situations and scenarios.

The UCLA Offense is a well-developed philosophy in regards to a wealth of variations and different choices for creating scoring openings. When producing a series for the UCLA Offense look to incorporate scoring opportunities all over the half-court. This will result in the offense being balanced and creating scoring threats to expose weaknesses in an opponent’s defence.

Set-up Out of Transition

Weak side low post (Four) lifts to strong side high post.

Five (5) cuts into replace weak side low post.

UCLA High-Low Base Set

Guards (One and Two) look for entry pass into high post.

High post player (4) upon receiving pass squares up to basket.

Four (4) player faces up to the basket.

Five (5) cuts to the front of the basket.

Read:

If defender is in full denial, Five (5) can lead high, pushing into defender and cut back to basket or,
If defender is halving, Five (5) leads low, walking into defender and flashes high to front of basket or,
If defender is gapping, Five (5) can flash hard to opposite of basket.

Primary Scoring Options:

Four (4) in one on one situation.
Five (5) receiving assist from Four out of one on one situation.
Five (5) on individual post move.

Alternative Scoring Options:

Three (3) on cut to basket.
Five (5) and Two (2) from assist in second phase of play if three receive pass on cut to basket.

High Post Screen

One (1) gets in a low stance and jab steps in the opposite direction of the intended dribble.

Four (4) sets a back screen for One (1). Four (4) when setting the screen will face the basket. As the screen is being set Two (2) sinks into the long corner.

One (1) goes into an attacking dribble penetrating into the key way.

Reads:

If Two’s defender steps away to help in defence, Two (2) must backdoor cut to the basket.
On dribble One (1) looks to draw help defence and then pass to un guarded team mate in Two or Five.

Scoring Options:

One (1) on pull-up jump shot or drive to basket.
Two (2) on backdoor cut to basket when defender commits to helping on penetration dribble from One (1).
Five (5) on step to weak side corner of basket when defender commits to helping on penetration dribble from One (1).