Step through it
The cue: “Cut off his hip, close enough to touch.” Only the defender who gives the read is drawn.
Read the three steps as text
- 1 has the ball at the top. 5 is at the high post, and 2 and 3 are on the wings with X2 and X3 guarding.
- 1 passes to 5 at the high post. X2 and X3 drop toward the ball to help.
- 2 and 3 cut off the post's shoulders, one on each side, and cross. X2 and X3 get caught behind, and 5 passes to the open cutter. The cue: Cut off his hip, close enough to touch.
Ask, don't tell
After the rep, ask one question: “Which cutter was open, and why?” 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.