Step through it
The cue: “Flash into the gap, then dive behind it.” Only the defender who gives the read is drawn.
Read the three steps as text
- A zone with two defenders high (a and b) and three low (c, d and e). 1 has the ball, 5 starts on the right block and 4 in the left corner.
- 5 flashes to the free-throw line and 1 passes to him. The two high defenders, a and b, squeeze toward the flash, and c steps up.
- c has to choose between the flash and the dive. 4 dives along the baseline to the low gap, and 5 passes down to him. The cue: Flash into the gap, then dive behind it.
Ask, don't tell
After the rep, ask one question: “Which gap could you catch in?” 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.