Step through it
The cue: “Big has the ball, guard screens.” Only the defender who gives the read is drawn.
Read the three steps as text
- 5, the big, has the ball on the right wing, with X5 guarding him. 1 is at the top.
- 1, the guard, comes over to set the screen for 5. X5 has to decide how to cover a guard's screen.
- 5 attacks off the screen and drives to the rim. If X5 stays with him, he can hit the guard instead. The cue: Big has the ball, guard screens.
Ask, don't tell
After the rep, ask one question: “Who was more of a threat: the big or the guard?” Judge the decision, not whether the shot went in.
Why it is in this library
Every read here passes the same tests: it is a read, not a reaction; it has few moving parts; it fits five-out spacing; it transfers as a concept; and it falls back into normal play if the read is not there. Teach the roles (screener, cutter, passer), not the positions.
Unofficial fan-created resource. The read is distilled from published coaching playbooks, curated and reviewed by Ravi Sundram, and the diagram is a schematic drawn for this site. Not affiliated with any team, coach or league.