UCLA Offense: High Double Screen
The UCLA Offense High Double Screen Play is a variation on the standard UCLA Offense. The variation is based around a weak side double screen that allows a back cut as the ball is lifting and pulling all defenders out of the keyway.
The UCLA Offense starts with a pass from One (1) to Two (2). This action can just as easily be out of transition with the One (1) cutting from deep in the court.
Five (5) sets a screen for One (1) who executes a UCLA Cut to the basket.
Three (3) and Four (4) replace up the lane to fill the vacant positions ahead.
One (1) continues the cut out of the key to fill the vacant weak side wing position.
Scoring Options:
- One (1) off of the UCLA Cut; it should be noted that when executed this is a very effective screening action that this should result in at least some scoring opportunities. It is not just a cut for movement sake, but an offensive attack on the basket in its own right
- Five (5) from a pass to the high post; it should also be noted that Five (5) after the screen should have only one defender between the player and the hoop
- Finally, if no other option is available Two (2) can always look at a possible drive to the basket
The next action requires a very specific movement so timing is very important.
Two (2) initiates the rotation by taking a dribble up the three-point line. This triggers Three (3) to move towards Two (2) before cutting off the screen set by Five (5).
The cut by Two (2) should be an aggressive movement which attempts to shake the defender loose for one to two steps.
Five (5) sets the screen and waits for a count of two before flashing the split line and back again to the strong side double block.
Scoring Options:
- Three (3) off the UCLA Cut.
- As an alternative Three (3) can be passed the ball and an on-ball screen set by Five (5)
- Five (5) on the flash from a lob or direct pass into the double block; with defenders in motion the pass into the post should see help defence off the ball slow to react
Two (2) now continues to dribble to the elbow extended.
Four (4) like the previous movement moves towards the ball before flashing to the basket. If Four’s (4) defender is shaken off because of the cut then the movement to the basket continues.
If Four’s (4) defender stays with the player then Four (4) sets a screen at the elbow.
Three (3) lifts out of the cut to the basket to set a screen between the double block and high post.
Five (5) fills out to the three-point line. This should bring the biggest defender away from the basket.
One (1) lifts in step with Four (4) like the usual replacement action is going to happen around the three-point line. Once past the screen of Three (3) One (1) looks to back cut to the basket off of the screens of Three (3) and Four (4).
Scoring Options:
- Four (4) off the flash to the basket
- One (1) off the back cut
- One (1) does have an option to continue the initial movement up and over the screens and then cutting down into the middle of the keyway
Two (2) pauses once reaching the elbow extended.
Five (5) continues to lift up the lane to the foul line extended.
Four (4) is now a stationary screen for Three (3) to cut off of and fill the next receiver spot in the ball reversal and continuation of the offense.
One (1) after reaching the basket continues in a wheel action moving again to the weak side foul line extended position.
Four (4) remains in the high post on the weak side of the floor ready for when the ball is reversed and offense commences again.
By Five (5) and Four (4) filling these positions then they will always be the players setting the screens and drawing the interior defenders away from the basket.
Scoring Options:
Three (3) while moving off the screen needs to make a read about how the defender is guarding. If the defender is trailing Three (3), then Three (3) can cut over the screen and into the keyway. In this situation Four (4) would move to the three-point line and Three (3) if the player did not score would become the high post player.
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Coach Riches has been working within the sport, business and education industries for many years. During this time he has built an extensive number of formal and informal qualifications. A firm believer in training and development designed to help people reach their full potential, relevant o their needs and functional to their industry environment.