Shuffle Offense: Four Flat into Hand-off

The Shuffle Offense has a number of benefits for increasing player movement. One of the key features of the Shuffle Offense, is the Shuffle Cut. This movement brings a player from one side of the floor, to the other side, in one quick action. This dramatically shifts not only the spread of offensive players in the quarter court, but also to the defensive players involved in the match-up. With the right supplementary movements to this starts a very challenging movement for the defence to be able to defend with help defence and limit offensive production.

The Shuffle Offense Four Flat Play looks to start in a formation with four offensive players lined up on the baseline. This initial starting position is about moving the defensive players away from receiver spots. This should help with all offensive players catching the ball.

Shuffle Offense: Four Flat into Hand-off Diagram 1

Four players flash to the ball (Three, Five, Four and Two). The ball is initially moved through an elbow entry pass to either Four (4) or Five (5).

You do not want players passing to standing targets. All offensive players use the technique of long arms on reception.

If One (1) is struggling to enter the ball, remind the player to fake a pass, to make a pass.

Scoring Option:

Isolation of Four (4) at the elbow

Shuffle Offense: Four Flat into Hand-off Diagram 2

The elbow receiver (Four) looks for a pass to the Shuffle Cutter (Two) or this could be used as an isolation opportunity for Four (4).

The passer (One) fills the Shuffle Cutter’s (Two) vacated position with a spaced sprint.

Space allows the elbow player (Four) to drive or shot opportunity depending on the movements of the defensive match-up.

As Two (2) passes under the basket, Five (5) dives to the basket.

Scoring Options:

Two (2) off of Shuffle Cut
Five (5) on dive to the basket

Shuffle Offense: Four Flat into Hand-off Diagram 3

In the Shuffle Offense Four Flat Play from this position there are a number of different options:

Four (4) can pass to One (1) and then dive to the basket for a deep sealing option.

In this situation, Five (5) relocates to the weak side double block.

Alternatively, Four (4) can dribble towards the weak side elbow extended looking for the hand-off with Three (3).

Again, In this situation, Five (5) relocates to the weak side double block.

Scoring Options:

Four (4) as post target following pass to One (1)
Three (3) following hand-off action

Shuffle Offense: Four Flat into Hand-off Diagram 4

If Three (3) receives the hand-off there are a number of different options available:

One (1) will dive towards the weak sidelong corner looking for a pass from three (3) and a possible three-point shot.

As Three (3) enters the keyway while One (1) is an option for the three-point shot, there is also the option of drawing the help defence and making a pass to Five (5) for the easy scoring opportunity.

Scoring Options:

Three (3) on drive to basket
One (1) from pass to long corner
Assist to Five (5)

Shuffle Offense: Four Flat into Hand-off Diagram 5

If the hand-off man (Four) does not receive an immediate return pass from the hand-off receiver (Three), then Four will move to set the down screen.

If the pass is to the perimeter (One ) on the drive, then Three (3) will continue cut to the basket.

If the long corner receiver (One) does not have the open shot, then a hard dribble out of the corner is required so that the defence is not able to limit the movement of the ball.

Scoring Options:

One (1) off of pass to long corner
Three (3) from seal on basket
Two (2) on lift from down screen to split line

Shuffle Offense: Four Flat into Hand-off Diagram 6

In the Shuffle Offense Four Flat Play as One (1) lifts out of the long corner with the ball then a number of different movements happen away from the strong side of the floor.

Two (2) continues from the down screen set by Four (4) to fill the middle of the floor around the foul line.

Five (5) and Four (4) step towards the keyway setting a staggered screen for Three (3) curling off both screeners following the pass and continued cut to the basket.

After Three (3) clears the initial screen, then Five (5) steps to the basket.

One (1) now has a number of different options:

A pass can be made to Two (2) who is now at the foul line
A post entry pass can be made into Five (5)

If Two (2) receives the pass then a shooting situation may have been created or a pass can be made to three (3) off the staggered screen.

Five (5) will also be a possible target by Two (2).

Scoring Options:

Two (2) from pass into keyway
Five (5) on step to the basket
Three (3) if passing reversal is continued by Two (2)

The Shuffle Offense Four Flat Play provides a wide and varied number of offensive options for the players on the floor. This variation of the Shuffle Offense however does require time and patience to learn. Because of the number of different offensive options, with each choice, there comes choice and layers that players need to become familiar with to effectively utilise the offense.