8 Elite BLOB Plays Every Coach Should Know
Quick Coach Tips:
Use different screening angles—back screens, pin downs, staggered screens attack defensive habits in unique ways.
Make sure all five players know what to do after the inbound. Many BLOB plays flow into half-court offense.
Look for opportunities to slip, back cut, and read help defenders—most breakdowns come from over-helping or late switches.
Execution (Step-by-Step):
1. Stagger Screen Action
Setup: In a box set, inbound to a big who pops to the short corner while two players set a staggered screen across the lane for the shooter.
Primary Look: Shooter curls to the wing or corner for a quick shot.
Counter Options: If defenders cheat, the screener slips to the basket or pops to the top of the key.
Coaching Tip: Make sure screeners sprint to spots and shooters wait before curling to maintain spacing.
2. Shooter Back Screen Action
Setup: Shooter starts at the ball-side elbow, fakes a pin down, and sets a back screen for the weak-side post.
Primary Look: Shooter uses a screen-the-screener action to get open for a shot.
Coaching Tip: Tell the cutter to walk their defender into the screen, using the shooter as a decoy.
3. Pin Down Into Motion Offense
Setup: Inbound to the elbow, and the opposite post sets a pin-down screen for the corner shooter.
Options: Shooter can curl, cut straight, or backdoor depending on the defender’s reaction.
Coaching Tip: Have the pin-down screener call out the cut to ensure communication.
4. Double Curl Series
Setup: Guards start at the elbows; one curls to the rim and the other flares to the wing.
Options: First guard looks for a layup, second guard takes an open three. If both cutters collapse, the screener pops.
Coaching Tip: Focus on timing and spacing, practice without help defense to emphasize clean execution.
5. Back Cut / Curl Combo
Setup: Double stagger formation, the first cutter back cuts to the rim while the second curls tightly off both screens.
Primary Look: Layup for the back cutter or three for the curling shooter.
Coaching Tip: Teach the first cutter to sell the curl with their body angle.
6. Double Back Cut Into PNR
Setup: Both wings cut baseline off a double screen.
Follow-Up: Ball is entered to the opposite slot, inbounder receives a PNR from the big.
Coaching Tip: Use back cuts to empty space and create a clear lane for the PNR.
7. Low Post Iso from 4-Low
Setup: Four players on the baseline, one big flashes to the high post, inbound to the big.
Action: Strong-side post sets a back screen, and the big isolates.
Coaching Tip: Ensure good spacing and teach the big to read help defense before making a move.
8. Dribble Handoff to Post Seal
Setup: Inbound to the high post, inbounder cuts for a dribble handoff.
Options: Guard attacks the lane, and the post seals deep.
Coaching Tip: Focus on tight DHO angles and ensure proper timing between the guard and big.
Why BLOB Plays Are Important
BLOB plays help dictate the flow of the game by setting up offensive actions from a structured position. They allow you to control screens, trigger help defenders, and exploit mismatches. These plays work at all levels, even with limited personnel or basketball IQ, provided your players understand timing, spacing, and the purpose of the action.
How to Teach BLOB Plays
Start by breaking down each action with simple drills.
Build up to full-team simulations, focusing on player timing and reading the defense.
Add variations, like slips and cuts, once the basic structure is learned.
Use film breakdowns to show players the difference between good and poor execution.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Poor Timing: Timing between the inbounder and cutters is crucial for success.
Lack of Options: Teach players what to do if the primary read is covered.
Stationary Screens: Ensure screeners move with purpose—screen, slip, or pop based on the defense.
Youth and High School Application:
Youth Teams (Grades 4-8): Simplify plays and walk through the house structure. Use loud counting to reinforce the 4-second sprint timing.
High School Teams: Integrate BLOB plays into your transition offense for realism. Make drills live and competitive, and emphasize transition defense as part of your identity.
Final Thoughts:
BLOB plays can generate high-quality looks and are a great way to control the flow of a game. By mastering these 8 actions, your team will have multiple ways to create open shots, exploit matchups, and keep the defense guessing. Focus on execution, timing, and smart reads, and these plays will become a valuable part of your offensive game plan.
