Post Up Your Big: Baseline Play Using 3-High Alignment vs Man-to-Man Defense

Setup & Initial Action

The play begins with three players aligned across the foul line: 2, 3, and 4. Player 5 (your center) starts in the weak-side corner. Player 1 is the inbounder.

The misdirection is built into the first few steps of the play:

• 1 uses a double screen from 3 and 4 to pop out and receive the ball in the strong-side corner.

• As that happens, 5 relocates from the corner to the weak-side low block, establishing deep position.

• Simultaneously, 2 uses a screen from 3 to clear the paint and spot up at the weak-side wing.

This screen is critical. If 3 sets a strong screen, 5’s defender either switches (creating a mismatch) or trails behind (arriving late), both of which favor the offense.

Execution: The Center Post-Up

Once the ball is inbounded to 1 on the wing, the focus shifts to getting the ball into the post:

• 1 immediately looks to enter the ball to 5, who is now posted on the low block.

• After passing, 1 sets an up-screen for 4 to cut through the middle, engaging help defenders.

• Meanwhile, 3, having finished their screen and entry action, drifts to the corner, keeping the floor spaced.

All this motion occupies help defenders, isolating 5 in the post with a one-on-one matchup.

Key Coaching Points

1. Screen Discipline

   • Teach 3 to set a hard, stationary screen for 5.

   • If the defense switches, it often leaves a guard on your center — advantage offense.

2. Timing is Everything

   • 5 must wait until 3 is fully set before cutting up to the post.

   • 1’s pass should be sharp and quick before help-side defenders recover.

3. Clear Out Action

   • The up-screen from 1 and movement from 2/3 serve to drag defenders away from the paint.

   • This prevents doubling and makes the post entry cleaner.

4. Spacing Wins

   • Emphasize wide positioning from 2 and 3 on the perimeter to discourage digs.

   • 4 can also space to the top of the key if not involved in the cut.

5. Physical Post Play

   • 5 should seal with a wide base, target the chest of the defender, and keep hands up.

   • Post players must be ready to finish through contact.

Recommended Drills

To implement this play with your team, reinforce the concepts with focused practice drills:

• Reading Defense Drills
  Help players recognize when a switch or trail opens the post pass.

• Shooting Drills for 1, 2, and 3
  Keep defenses honest by making sure weak-side shooters are live threats.

• Post Entry Passing Drills
  Work on angles, timing, and bounce/lob options for post feeds.

• Finishing Through Contact
  Train your bigs to finish strong in traffic after sealing their defender.

When you need a reliable baseline out-of-bounds play against man defense, this 3-high alignment with a post-up option for your center is an outstanding choice. Originating from Coach Juwan Howard’s Michigan playbook, this action uses layered screening and misdirection to isolate your 5 for a high-percentage finish inside.

If you're coaching youth basketball or high school teams, this play gives you a structured yet versatile scoring option that takes advantage of your center's strength on the block. Whether you're working with a balanced offense or a big team, this BLOB set can become a go-to when you need a bucket.

Youth & High School Coaching Tips

For youth basketball coaches or high school basketball coaching staff:

• Teach the fundamentals of off-ball screening. Many young players struggle to set effective screens or understand screen angles.

• Use this play sparingly to preserve its surprise element.

• Add a verbal or visual cue to trigger the post-up so that everyone knows when to shift focus.

This play also develops court awareness, off-ball movement, and rewards your bigs, all critical concepts in offensive development.

Variations & Counters

If teams start to overplay the post pass:

• Counter Cut: 4 can slip the screen and dive to the rim.

• Flare Screen: Instead of cutting through, 3 can flare off a screen from 4 for a corner three.

• Isolation: If 5 doesn’t receive the ball immediately, clear the side and let them work one-on-one.

These adjustments keep your offense unpredictable while reinforcing the same basic structure.

Play It in Game-Like Situations

To truly make this BLOB set game-ready:

• Practice under time constraints.

• Simulate late-game situations (e.g., "down 2 with 10 seconds").

• Mix in this set with a few others to disguise your intent.

Your players will execute with more confidence if they've drilled these reads in live-speed reps.

Final Thoughts

The Baseline vs Man – 3 High, Post-Up for Center play is a high-IQ, high-efficiency option for coaches looking to score off baseline inbounds. It’s designed to isolate your strongest interior threat and leverages off-ball movement to neutralize help defense.

For coaches at the youth or high school level, this set teaches essential spacing, screening, and decision-making. And most importantly — it delivers points when you need them most.