Step through it
The cue: “Pass, then screen for someone away from the ball.” Only the defender who gives the read is drawn.
Read the three steps as text
- Five-out spacing. 1 has the ball at the top, 2 is on the left wing, and 3 is on the right wing with X3 guarding. 5 is in the right corner.
- 1 passes to 2. X3, on the far side, turns to watch the ball and drifts toward it.
- 5 comes up from the corner and screens for 3 on the side X3 is not watching. 3 cuts off the screen to the rim and 2 passes to the cutter. The cue: Pass, then screen for someone away from the ball.
Ask, don't tell
After the rep, ask one question: “Who was watching the ball when the screen came?” 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.