Step through it
The cue: “Is he jumping out early? Slip.” Only the defender who gives the read is drawn.
Read the three steps as text
- 1 has the ball and 4 comes to set a ball screen, with X4 guarding the screener. The other three hold the arc and the corner.
- X4 is up early to jump the ball handler, or is about to switch. The space behind X4 is open.
- 4 leaves before making contact and cuts to the rim, and 1 passes to the cutter. The cue: Is he jumping out early? Slip.
Ask, don't tell
After the rep, ask one question: “What did the screener's defender do before the screen arrived?” 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.