Step through it
The cue: “Make him choose.” Only the defender who gives the read is drawn.
Read the three steps as text
- A zone with defenders a and d high and e, c and b low. 1 has the ball on the right wing and 3 is on that side near the elbow. 2 waits in the left corner.
- 2 runs the baseline to the right corner. That puts three players on the right side against two defenders, a and b.
- b has to pick one player. He steps toward 3, and 1 passes to the open player in the corner. The cue: Make him choose.
Ask, don't tell
After the rep, ask one question: “Which defender had to choose?” 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.