1-3-1 Set: Creating Shots for Your Point Guard
This is a clean way to get your point guard a shot against man defense. The strength of the action is that it forces multiple defenders into decisions without overcomplicating the read for your players.
The sequence:
‘4’ sets a ball screen to ‘1’ at the top of the key. ‘1’ cuts to the opposite corner.
‘4’ sets a ball screen for ‘3’. If the lane is open, ‘3’ attacks straight to the basket.
If the drive isn’t there, ‘3’ swings the ball to ‘5’. This sets up the best angle for a pass to ‘4’ rolling out of the screen.
On the weak side, ‘1’ waits for the screen from ‘2’.
If the roll from ‘4’ is guarded then ‘5’ can swing the ball to ‘1’ open on the wing.
Reads for the point guard:
Shoot the three if the defender goes under.
Fade to the corner if chased tight.
Curl hard off ‘2’ for a layup if the defender trails.
Reject the screen and dive to the basket if the lane opens.
Why it works:
The ball screen at the start puts immediate pressure on the defense.
The swing to ‘5’ creates better spacing and an easier passing lane for the roll.
The action for the point guard comes late, when the defense is already shifting, that’s when mistakes happen.
Coaching tip: Emphasize patience. The first option isn’t always the best one. If your point guard lets the action develop and trusts the screen, this set consistently creates high-quality shots.
