Horns Set: Easy Entries and Multiple Options

SETUP – HORNS FORMATION

• Two bigs at the elbows (free-throw line extended)

• Two shooters spaced in the corners

• One point guard (1) at the top with the ball

Why it works:

Creates spacing for early action.

Positions screeners and shooters efficiently.

Works for any level—ideal for youth basketball drills and high school offensive sets.

OPTION 1 – Reject the Screen and Attack

• Point guard fakes using the screen and drives downhill into open space.

• Bigs stay high, leaving the lane wide open.

• Corner shooters hold position.

Reads:

Help defender collapses → kick for a 3.

Defender stays home → finish at the rim.

🟡 Coaching Tip:
Teach your bigs to hold their position just long enough to sell the screen—then clear space quickly.

OPTION 2 – Use the Screen and Read

• Guard chooses a side and uses a high ball screen.

• Screener rolls or pops depending on matchup.

Reads:

Drop coverage → pull-up or pocket pass.

Switch → attack mismatch.

Hedge/blitz → hit release pass or pop man.

Great for coaching tips for beginners—players learn to make 1-2 reads without needing scripted plays.

OPTION 3 – Hit the Roll and Play Inside-Out

• After using the screen, guard hits the rolling big.

• If help rotates, pop man is open for the kick or swing.

Follow-up options:

Dump inside to the roll man.

Hit pop man and reverse.

Flow into 4-out movement.

OPTION 4 – Hit the Pop and Read the Closeout

• Big pops behind the action for a shot.

• If the shot’s not there, they can attack the closeout or make a high-low feed to the roll man.

🟡 Coaching Tip:
Emphasize spacing—corners must stay home to prevent easy help rotations.

OPTION 5 – Flow into 4-Out, 1-In

• If the first action doesn’t lead to a shot:

  • Reverse the ball.

  • Drop the roller into the post.

  • Continue with cuts and weak-side movement.

Why it’s valuable:
Teaches your team to keep playing, not reset—a great concept for youth basketball coaches building confidence in motion.

SET PLAY OPTION 1 – Backdoor Look

• Guard fakes using the screen.

• Wing fakes lift, then cuts backdoor hard.

• If it’s not open, flow right back into your next action.

Simple, teachable, and perfect for youth basketball drills that focus on timing and deception.

SET PLAY OPTION 2 – Double Stagger for Shooter

• Bigs re-align and set a double staggered screen.

• Shooter curls behind into a catch-and-shoot.

Forces defenders to navigate two screens, often leaving:

The shooter open.

The pop man or corner free due to help defense.

Why Horns Set Offense Works at Every Level

For Youth Basketball Coaches

The Horns set offers predictable spacing and flexible teaching.

Use it to teach:

• Ball screen reads

• Cutting options

• Kick-out passing decisions

It works well for basketball practice ideas that teach players how to:

• Keep spacing

• Make basic reads

• Play through a structure

Whether you’re coaching 5th graders or a middle school team, Horns introduces advanced spacing concepts in a way that’s easy to drill and repeat.

For High School Basketball Coaching

The Horns formation gives you a platform for:

• Dynamic two-man actions

• Inside-out offense

• Built-in quick hitters

It’s a versatile option that fits:

• Man or zone offense

• Half-court sets

• Late clock situations

Why high school coaches love it:

Great against switching teams.

Easily flows into motion offense.

Keeps both bigs and guards active.

Add Horns to your high school basketball coaching playbook for instant versatility.

Coaching Tips for Beginners

• Teach one option at a time: reject, use screen, roll, pop

• Use verbal cues like:

  • “Attack the gap”

  • “Hit the roll”

  • “Read the switch”

  • “Pop and shoot”

• Practice with 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 drills to build recognition.

✅ It’s one of the best offensive plays to help new players make reads without memorizing full sets.

Basketball Practice Ideas Using Horns

You can break this set into simple practice segments:

• 3-on-3 ball screen work from the top

• Cut and read drills from the corners

• Post feed and kick-out drills

• Stagger screen timing drills

This helps build player IQ while reinforcing concepts like:

• Spacing

• Reactions to help defense

• Moving without the ball

Advanced Variations from the Horns Shell

• Horns Twist: Use one screen, then re-screen on the second side.

• Horns Flare: Flare screen for pop man after initial screen.

• Horns Flex: Turn the set into a flex cut with backside spacing.

• High Post Iso: Let your skilled big isolate at the top.

These are ideal for high-level teams that want to layer actions without changing formations.

Final Thoughts: Let Horns Do the Heavy Lifting

The Horns Set isn’t just a play—it’s a framework for decision-making.

From one clean formation, your players can:

• Drive

• Screen

• Cut

• Reverse

• Read and react

And the best part?
It scales from youth basketball coaching to elite varsity systems with minor tweaks.

So teach it. Rep it.
Then let your players own it.