1-4 High Set: Initiating Quick Post or Guard Plays

SETUP – THE 1-4 HIGH SPACING

• Point guard (1) starts at the top.

• Two wings (2 and 3) are spaced wide beyond the three-point line.

• Two bigs (4 and 5) are positioned at the elbows.

Why this works:

Creates maximum spacing across the floor.

Opens clean passing angles to either wing.

Keeps both inside and perimeter options live.

ACTION – STEP-BY-STEP

1. Wing Entry + Guard Cut

• 1 passes to either wing (2).

• 1 cuts hard off the ball-side elbow screen (5) into the paint.

  • First scoring option—look for a post-up or layup.

2. Weak-Side Wing Drops to Corner

• While the guard cuts, the weak-side wing (3) drops to the corner.

  • Creates space on the weak side.

  • Stretches help defenders out of the play.

3. Elbow Player Flares + Reversal

• Screener (5) flares to the perimeter after screening for the guard.

• Wing (2) passes back to the flaring big (5).

• Ball is reversed across the top to opposite wing (3).

4. Flex Screen + Baseline Cut

• As the ball swings, the low corner player (2) cuts off a baseline screen (4) from the weak-side elbow.

  • Look for a layup or inside position.

5. Flow Into Motion or Isolate the Post

• If no layup is open:

  • Continue the motion with more screens and cuts.

  • Isolate the screener (4 or 5) for a post-up.

  • Drive-and-kick if the defense collapses.

KEY COACHING POINTS

• Guard Cut Timing Is Critical

  • Wait for the screen before cutting—no rushing.

• Clear the Weak Side

  • Make sure the weak-side wing drops to the corner to keep the lane open.

• Use the Reversal to Shift the Defense

  • Ball movement forces defenders to rotate twice before the flex action.

• Train Your Players to Read the Defense

  • If they switch, teach your players to slip, seal, or flare to maintain the advantage.

Why This Set Works for Youth and High School Basketball Coaches

A Flexible Option for Coaches at Every Level

The 1-4 High Set offers the perfect balance of structure and freedom.
It works for:

• Youth basketball coaches teaching beginners how to move without the ball.

• High school basketball coaches looking to build disciplined, team-first offense.

Whether you coach 5th graders or varsity athletes, this set fits into any basketball practice plan and reinforces offensive fundamentals.

Why Youth Basketball Coaches Should Install This Set

• Teaches spacing without confusing diagrams.

• Creates movement so players don’t stand still.

• Develops cutting and screening habits that transfer to any offense.

Use this as part of your youth basketball drills to build habits like:

• Hard cutting

• Proper floor balance

• Reading simple scoring options

Why High School Basketball Coaches Love It

• It builds tempo control without slowing the game down.

• It forces defensive rotation with clean offensive spacing.

• It works against both man and zone defenses, making it one of the most reliable offensive plays at the high school level.

Coaching Tips for Beginners

If you’re looking for coaching tips for beginners, here’s how to introduce this in your next basketball practice:

• Walk through the spacing first—show players where to stand.

• Teach one movement at a time—pass, cut, fill.

• Use verbal cues like:

  • “Cut hard off the screen.”

  • “Drop to the corner.”

  • “Reverse the ball.”

  • “Look for the cutter.”

Basketball Practice Ideas to Build This Set

• Start with 5-on-0 walk-throughs.

• Progress to guided defense with defenders showing light pressure.

• Finish with 5-on-5 live reps focusing on:

  • Timing the guard cut.

  • Spacing the weak side.

  • Executing the flex screen.

Offensive and Defensive Benefits

• Offensive Play Benefits:

  • Gets players moving early.

  • Creates layup and post-up chances.

  • Forces defensive rotation.

• Defensive Teaching Opportunity:

  • Teach defenders to communicate on screens.

  • Help players learn to switch or fight through screens in practice.

This makes it valuable for both sides of the ball, giving you defensive and offensive teaching reps.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

• Cutting too early or too late—practice timing.

• Failing to clear the corner—remind the weak-side wing to drop early.

• Skipping the ball reversal—force the defense to shift by swinging the ball.

• Stopping after the first cut—teach players to keep moving.

Final Thoughts for Youth and High School Basketball Coaching

The 1-4 High Set gives you a plug-and-play solution that builds:

• Basketball IQ

• Player movement

• Offensive pressure

It’s perfect for:

• Youth basketball coaches looking for simple offensive plays.

• High school basketball coaching focused on ball and player movement.

• Coaches seeking basketball practice ideas that build habits and create scoring opportunities.

You don’t need a stack of complicated plays to win possessions.
You need a simple system that teaches your players to move, read, and score together.