Baseline Inbounds vs Man: 3 Low Set with Dive Action for Small Forward
Setup
Formation:
Line up three players low on the baseline, ‘4’, ‘5’, and ‘2’. ‘3’ (your slasher) starts above the top of the key and is the “forgotten” cutter. This shape keeps defenders tight to the paint.
Personnel Tips:
‘3’ should be your most agile player, ideally a wing with finishing ability.
‘2’ is the primary cutter who uses the double screen to shift the defense.
‘4’ and ‘5’ are screeners who immediately relocate after setting picks.
Execution
Initial Disguise and Cutter Action
‘2’ makes a hard diagonal cut across the lane, using back-to-back screens from ‘4 and ‘5’.
The defense will often trail or switch on this movement, which is exactly what you want.
Clearing the Paint
After screening, ‘4’ clears to the strong-side corner, dragging their defender with them.
‘5’ lifts up the lane toward the slot or elbow, this gives spacing while serving as a safety valve.
Backside Timing and Dive
With attention on ‘2’ and defensive rotation in motion, ‘3’ (slasher) times their dive perfectly.
As ‘2’ exits to the corner, ‘3’ cuts hard to the basket down the vacated lane for a catch-and-finish.
Inbound Read
The inbounder must stay patient and watch for help defense over-committing to the first cutter.
As soon as the path is clear, deliver the pass to ‘1’ in stride for a layup.
Key Coaching Points
Sell the first action: The double screen for ‘2’ must be believable, set solid screens and cut with purpose.
‘3’ must delay the cut: If they go too early, it ruins spacing and timing. Wait until the defense shifts.
Screeners must relocate with intent: ‘4’ to the corner, ‘5’ to the top. This draws defenders out of help spots.
Inbounder must scan deliberately: Watch defender reactions and trust the timing of the final dive.
Helpful Drills
Inbound pass timing – Train your inbounder to read help defenders and deliver passes in tight windows.
Hard cuts + finishing – Work with ‘3’ on explosive cuts into space and finishing through minimal contact.
2-on-2 switch reads – Simulate the double screen with defenders and teach your players to read coverage.
Screen + relocate drills – Practice setting a hard screen and immediately clearing to a new spot with urgency.
Full Breakdown for Coaches
This baseline out-of-bounds play is tailor-made for man-to-man defenses that love to switch or chase screens. The brilliance of the action lies in the layered misdirection and how it manipulates off-ball defenders.
Let’s break it down deeper:
1. Three Low Creates Maximum Compression
By stacking your three screeners tight along the baseline, you invite the defense to clutter the paint. This is exactly what you want, because the play’s payoff comes from releasing that pressure suddenly.
2. The False Action: Screen-the-Screener
When ‘3’ makes the initial cut across two screens, it’s easy for defenders to key in on that movement. Most coaches drill their defenders to switch or trail hard in these situations. This reaction leaves the weak-side blind and creates a vacuum.
3. The Hidden Hero: ‘3’ Delayed Dive
The small forward (or whoever is in the ‘3’ role) holds up top, visually removed from the action. When they cut at just the right moment, as the defense is turning their head on the switch or trying to help on ‘2’, there’s no one left to tag the cutter.
This is where the timing is everything. If ‘3’ cuts too early, the defense hasn't shifted yet. If they go too late, the window is closed. A two-second count after the double screen is the sweet spot.
4. Spacing After the Screens
One of the most overlooked strengths of this play is how the screeners relocate:
‘4’ to the corner—This keeps help defenders pulled wide.
‘5’ to the top—Now the paint is totally empty, and the inbounder has a safety if nothing develops.
This spacing opens a clean middle channel for ‘3’ to receive the pass and finish with no traffic.
5. Inbound Decision-Making
Coaches should drill their inbounders to scan the defense for key cues:
Did the defenders switch on the screen?
Is the help side watching the ball or the cutters?
Has the dive lane cleared?
These reads dictate whether to fire the pass, fake and reverse the ball, or hit the safety up top.
When to Run This Play
This is a versatile baseline play that works especially well in:
ATO (after timeout) situations
Late quarter execution
Momentum swing moments when a layup reignites energy
Youth and high school basketball, where defensive awareness on weak side help is often inconsistent
