5-Option Curl Action: Dynamic Play for Youth & High School Offense
Goal
This play is designed to create an open driving lane for your best slasher while keeping the defense occupied with smart screen action and shooters spaced on the perimeter. It offers multiple scoring options based on how the defense reacts.
Setup
Start in a 4-out, 1-in alignment.
Ball begins with the point guard (1) at the top.
The shooting guard (2) starts on the wing, the center (5) is on the block, and two shooters (3 and 4) are spaced on the perimeter.
Each player has a specific action tied to creating space and reading the defense.
Step-by-Step Execution
Option 1: Fake Ball Screen into Curl
2 sets a down screen for 5, who pops up toward the top.
5 fakes a ball screen for 1 to pull the on-ball defender out of position.
Immediately after the fake, 5 sets a down screen for 3.
3 curls around the screen and slashes to the basket for a scoring opportunity.
Option 2: Spot-Up Shooter
4 sets a stationary screen for 2.
2 uses the screen to spot up on the perimeter.
Be ready to shoot on a kick-out if the defense collapses on the drive.
Option 3: Read and Attack
3 uses the screen from 5 to attack the lane.
If help defense rotates:
Kick out to 2 or 4.
Drop off to 5 if rolling.
If no help comes, finish at the rim.
Option 4: Screen and Pop
4 sets a screen then pops out to the wing.
Provides another shooting option if the defense overloads the strong side.
Option 5: Down Screen into Roll
5 acts like setting a ball screen for 1.
Instead, quickly turns to set a down screen.
Then rolls to the basket, ready for a drop pass or lob.
Coaching Tips
Sell the fake. The initial ball screen fake must engage the defender to set up the rest.
Timing matters. Every screen and cut must be timed to avoid crowding the lane.
Lead your cutter. Passes should hit slashing players in stride to maintain advantage.
Keep spacing. Perimeter players should hold their spots until it's time to shoot or relocate.
Youth adaptation: Focus on Options 1–3. Too many reads can overwhelm beginners.
High school variation: Layer in more complex counters like backdoors or flare options.
Full Breakdown: Teaching the 5-Option Curl Action
Why This Play Works
This action uses layered screening and deceptive movement to manipulate help defense. It's effective at the youth and high school level because:
It creates a clear primary option (the slasher).
It bakes in spacing and shooting threats.
It offers built-in counters without requiring complex reads.
The goal is to make defenders react to a fake, overcommit to one option, and give up another.
Option 1: Curl Cut to Basket
The heart of the play. The cutter (3) uses a well-timed down screen from the center (5) to slash to the rim.
Teaching Points:
3 must tight curl around the screen—no wide loops.
5 must hold the screen until contact is made.
The pass from 1 should be on the move—lead the cutter with momentum.
Game Application:
Run this when your slasher is hot or the opposing help defender is slow to rotate.
Option 2: Spot-Up Shooter
When help rotates to stop the drive, spacing becomes your weapon. 2 and 4 become primary threats.
Teaching Points:
Teach “feet ready, hands ready” mentality for catch-and-shoot.
4 should set the screen, then stay spaced or flare out.
2 should relocate into sightlines as the drive happens.
Game Application:
Use this if teams are packing the paint or collapsing on every drive.
Option 3: Read-and-React Attack
The cutter reads the help defender:
If help comes, kick to the corner or dump off to 5.
If help stays home, finish strong.
Teaching Points:
Practice reading the low man: is he sliding up or hugging the roller?
Encourage controlled two-foot finishes to reduce turnovers.
Game Application:
Great when facing teams that play help-heavy shell defense.
Option 4: Screen and Pop
This is your spacing solution if defenders start sagging. 4 screens and pops, becoming a shooting threat or extra pass hub.
Teaching Points:
4 should pop wide and outside the slot for clear shooting angles.
Option to swing pass from 1 to 4 to reset or reverse the play.
Game Application:
Ideal vs zone or packed paint man defenses.
Option 5: Down Screen into Roll
This sneaky twist catches defenses leaning. 5 pretends to ball screen, sets a down screen, then rolls right into the paint.
Teaching Points:
5 should sell the fake ball screen with body language—don’t rush it.
After screening, open up to the ball immediately and roll hard.
Game Application:
Perfect after a few possessions of standard screen-and-pop—changes the look and punishes defenders who cheat.
Progressions & Variations
For Youth Teams:
Teach it as a 3-option play: curl, spot-up, or kick.
Use walk-through reps to engrain timing.
Simplify language: “Cut, shoot, pass” instead of “read and react.”
For High School Teams:
Add flare options if the defense goes under screens.
Allow 1 to reject the fake screen and drive if unguarded.
Use it as a continuity base: flow back into the setup after reversal.
Drills to Reinforce This Play
Screen & Curl Drill
3 lines: screener, cutter, passer
Emphasize angles, pace, and live catch finishes
Kick-Out Shooting
Drive-and-kick with a defender recovering to contest
Focus on quick release and decision-making
2-on-2 Help Reads
Run curl + help defense with two defenders
Teach reads: score vs pass vs skip
5-on-0 Into 5-on-5 Progression
Walk through the action
Add guided defense
Go live with constraints (“Only score on curl or pop”)
Common Errors and Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Cutter goes early | Count in rhythm: “1…2…go” after screen is set |
| Lazy screens | Reinforce “screen to create"—no ghosts |
| All players move at once | Layer movement: top action first, weak-side second |
| Confusion on reads | Use color-coded cones or markers during practice to define paths |
Final Coaching Cues
“Fake with purpose. Make the defense believe it.”
“One screen, one cut, one decision. Keep it clean.”
“Play the help, not the defender. Look for the second layer.”
