Offence reads · Interactive

Pitchback

After a pass to the wing, the ball comes straight back to the passer, who comes off a screen. The defender who helped on the pass is out of position when the ball returns.

Step through it

The cue: “Pass, come off the screen, get it back.” Only the defender who gives the read is drawn.

Read the three steps as text
  1. 1 has the ball at the top with X1 guarding. 5 is close by, ready to screen, and 2 is on the left wing.
  2. 1 passes to 2. X1 drops toward the ball to help on the pass.
  3. 1 comes off 5's screen, X1 is stuck behind it, and 2 passes straight back to 1. The cue: Pass, come off the screen, get it back.

Ask, don't tell

After the rep, ask one question: “What did the pass pull out of position?” 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.