inbounds

Backcourt denial: two guards up

Two guards start near the inbounder. Two post players start nearer halfway. One guard screens for the other, then comes back toward the inbounder. The post players wait briefly before moving to get open.

How it runs

Two guards up: set a screen, then return for the ball

Evan Massey’s two-guards-up example separates a guard screen from the screener’s return. This drawing delays the two farther players until after the first catch; the exact timing is a team call. The added finish or frontcourt continuation is an original CoachAssist teaching choice, not a source-prescribed next play.

1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.

Diagram 1 of 10

2 moves into screening position

1 is outside the far baseline. 2 approaches the screen while 3 waits; 4 and 5 hold near halfway.

Diagram key

Offense
Defense
Coach
Neutral
Ball
Cone
Cut
Dribble
Pass
Screen
Hand-off
Shot
Def. slide

Source: Evan Massey — Inbounding Against Denial (2026)

Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.

A selected throw-in example, not every play from this formation. Source mechanics are separated from original CoachAssist teaching tasks. Check the actual throw-in location and competition rules before practice.

In this guide · jump to a topic

Understand the starting jobs

Which version the court shows

Massey discusses screen-and-return, slip, rejection and screen-the-screener choices. Our court selects screen-and-return; they are not one combined route.

Source-backed summary; versions may differ.

Evan Massey · Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial

Before putting defenders on the court

Mark the basket being defended and the direction of attack before showing a backcourt entry. Place the two nearby receivers so the inbounder can see different windows, not two hands behind the same defender. Agree on when farther players move; they should not disappear downcourt before a short option exists.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Evan Massey · Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial

Play through the catch

Know the job after the throw-in

Use the diagram to identify the first secure catch, then stop before advancing. Ask the receiver to locate the basket being attacked, the nearest defender, and a safe teammate. Ask the inbounder where to enter after releasing. A completed throw-in is not the same as an available shot.

Walk the selected branch once, with each player naming the next job.
Replay it with the first option covered.
Continue after the catch into the team’s agreed offense; do not invent a forced final pass just to finish the drawing.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Evan Massey · Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial

Read the defender

When the preferred option is unavailable

When: Both nearby guards are denied.

Do this: Use a previously taught alternative and a receiver still within passing range. Do not make a long throw the only answer for a player who cannot control it.

Then: After entry, keep a return and a forward option while the ball handler turns toward the attacking end.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Evan Massey · Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial

What to emphasize

CoachAssist practice idea: walk through the inbound pass and player movements. Add defenders who block the first pass. Then play live, keeping another receiver available to get the ball in safely.

Correct the cause

A problem to watch for

Problem: The screener leaves as soon as the cutter starts.

Try this correction: Rehearse the cutter clearing and only then the screener showing back to the ball.

Check: The inbounder sees two distinct targets rather than a moving screen.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Evan Massey · Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial

Compare versions without mixing them

What changes—and what does not

Changes: entry, read.

A slip changes whether the first screen is actually held; a rejection changes the cutter’s route. Those are real decisions. Calling the two receivers 1 and 2 instead of 2 and 3 changes neither.

When to use it: Name the formation, intended first catch, and next action when comparing another play. New player numbers or a mirrored court alone do not establish a new tactic. Variations mentioned only in text are not additional selectable diagrams.

Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Evan Massey · Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial

How to teach it

Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.

Select level to learn

Learn it at your group’s level

Know which way to play

Set it up: Adult passer and two receivers on a shortened court.

Point toward the attacking basket.
Catch and face that direction.
Find a nearby teammate before any long pass.

Add more when: Players orient correctly without reminders.

Check it in play

Safe catch.
Useful stopping space.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Evan Massey · Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial

CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.

What can go wrong and how to adjust

This is Massey's preferred family, not a universal press-entry rule. Match the release to the actual inbound location.

Coaches and teams that use it

We have not confirmed a specific coach or team using this version. Teams may use the same name for different plays.

Drills for this scheme · steps and diagrams

The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.

2-on-2 Wing Entry

Court diagram · view the drill first

Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices getting a receiver open against denial and delivering an entry under pressure. It is a half-court skill game, not the two-guards-up inbound formation.

A pressured passer and denied receiver work to enter the ball, then play a controlled two-on-two continuation.

4–12 players · 8–12 minutes · basketballs

Purpose

A pressured passer and denied receiver work to enter the ball, then play a controlled two-on-two continuation.

Set it up

Four players: top handler, wing receiver and their defenders, one ball. One group uses the basket; waiting groups remain outside the cutting and landing routes. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
The receiver uses an available setup cut while the passer protects the ball and reads the entry window.
Deliver to a visible target away from denial; if the window is closed, reposition or reset rather than forcing the pass.
After an entry, the pair may cut, use a legally set screen or attack clear space within the coach’s declared limits.
End the possession and rotate roles on schedule regardless of the result.
End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.

Coach the details

A denied wing does not guarantee a backdoor opening; read help and available space.
The optional entry count must be identified as a drill constraint or the actual applicable game rule.
Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.

Ways to adapt the drill

Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.

Screen Setting Fundamentals (P.A.S.S.)

Court diagram · view the drill first

Builds a skill used in this scheme: Prepares stationary screen and cutter timing before two guards screen and release; the coach must still teach the backcourt locations and inbound count.

A controlled progression teaches setting and using a stationary screen.

3–12 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs

Purpose

A controlled progression teaches setting and using a stationary screen.

Set it up

Three players: screener, cutter and cooperative defender, plus a coach passer. Begin without contact on one side of a half court. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
The screener approaches at walkthrough pace and establishes a balanced position with legal clearance.
The cutter waits until the screen is set, then moves close enough to use its angle without colliding with the screener.
The coach passes only through an open window; the cutter catches balanced and may shoot from a comfortable range.
The screener holds position until the cutter clears, then opens toward the ball. Rotate all player roles.
End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

Coach the details

Do not require contact for a screen to count. Add guided defense only after the group understands positioning and timing.
Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.

Ways to adapt the drill

Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.

Sources and what we could confirm

The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.

Coaches run this in different ways. The sources below describe the versions covered here. These sources do not cover every possible version.

Late Game—Inbounding Against Denial
Evan Massey · Massey Basketball · 2026-02-10
First-person coach discussion; rule-dependent tricks beyond supported formation/reads excluded.