Which version the court shows
Middle Split creates room around a screened inside cutter. The screener can become another receiver instead of remaining hidden.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
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inbounds
BLOB middle-split family
For this baseline out-of-bounds (BLOB) entry, three players begin near the free-throw line and one near the basket. The outside receivers move apart to create passing space while a screen helps the receiver near the basket move to an open side.
How it runs
Middle Split: spread, screen, then read the inside pass
Basketball For Coaches’ Middle Split, shown with 3 screening for 5. The spots are our teaching layout. The last frames follow the inside-catch branch; 3’s outside release is a separate next choice. 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 6
Clear the sides and move 3 into position
2 and 4 move wide. 3 approaches the screening spot while 5 waits near the basket.
Diagram key
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
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
Before putting defenders on the court
Have the passer look through the middle before moving anyone. Then place the two wide players and ask whether their defenders can still touch the inside action. Adjust distance to the group’s passing range. The first screener needs a clear, legal stopping spot; the cutter needs room to choose a side without running through another player.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
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.
Read the defender
When the preferred option is unavailable
When: The defender stays between the cutter and the inbounder.
Do this: Keep looking rather than throwing at a number. In the teaching repetition, let a separate outside target become available.
Then: After entry, ask whether the original inside receiver still has an advantage or should clear space.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
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: Cutter and screener end in the same small space.
Try this correction: Pause immediately after the cut. Have each point to a distinct catching area before repeating.
Check: One defender cannot cover both targets without changing position.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Compare versions without mixing them
What changes—and what does not
Changes: entry, read.
- Our court follows the inside catch. The screener opening outside is a different read from that start; a second cut should not be added while the first player still occupies its destination.
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.
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.
Learn it at your group’s level
Find two sides of the basket
Set it up: Adult passer and two receivers; no screens or contact.
- One receiver shows left and the other right.
- Adult indicates the open side.
- Catch under control and rotate roles.
Add more when: Receivers stay separate.
Check it in play
- Safe receiving space.
- Controlled stops.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
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 a role-based paraphrase, not a copied source diagram.
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.
Box Cross BLOB
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: The box variant practices a screen across the paint, the screener holding receiving position, and a safe alternate receiver. Those skills transfer, but its two-high/two-low start is not the documented middle-split alignment.
A baseline out-of-bounds play from a box alignment uses an interior cross-screen while two receivers establish perimeter outlets.
5–10 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A baseline out-of-bounds play from a box alignment uses an interior cross-screen while two receivers establish perimeter outlets.
Set it up
Five attackers and one ball: baseline inbounder, two blocks and two elbows. Start without defense; guided or full defense requires additional players. Declare the legal throw-in location and movement limits. 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.
- On the cue, the weak-side post establishes a stationary cross-screen for the other post.
- The cutter uses the available route toward the ball-side target without forcing contact.
- One guard fills the high outlet and the other opens to the weak-side wing.
- Read the inside catch, the screener’s available release or a perimeter outlet; if no safe entry exists, use the coach’s rules-appropriate reset plan.
- 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
- Do not chase contact to make the screen count. A safety receiver is an option, not a guaranteed open catch.
- Set the screen legally and keep interior targets separated.
- 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.
Screen Setting Fundamentals (P.A.S.S.)
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Builds stationary-screen timing before adding inside cutters responding to a defender. It is a skill drill, not an inbound play.
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
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
- 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.
- Five Simple Basketball Inbound Plays
No byline displayed · Basketball For Coaches · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.