What this version covers
Horns permits different assignments for the two high players; both need not roll.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
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offense
Horns / A-set offense
Horns begins with the ball handler at the top, two teammates near the corners of the free-throw line, and two in the corners. These starting positions can lead to many plays; the name alone does not specify the next action.
How it runs
Choose one of the two high screeners
One Horns example: 5 screens and cuts to the basket while 4 moves outside. Other plays can start from the same spots. Defenders are not shown. Each step explains what to do if the defense reacts as described. Player spots are examples.
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 4
1. Start 4 and 5 at the free-throw line
1 has the ball above 4 and 5, who stand at the two ends of the free-throw line. 2 and 3 stay in the corners. 5 steps up to screen for 1.
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.
Horns is a starting arrangement. These recommendations use our screen-and-roll example, identify the second high player’s purpose, and keep alternate high-low decisions separate.
In this guide · jump to a topic
Starting jobs and useful space
Check all five before choosing a side
Our 1 starts above 4 and 5 near the free-throw line, with 2 and 3 in opposite corners. Ask which high player will screen, where the other high player will offer a pass, and which corner might supply help. Being near the same line does not give 4 and 5 the same assignment.
Use a side the handler can attack under control. Keep the unused high player outside the handler’s turn and the roller’s route. The corners should be useful receiving spots, not distances that force a pass beyond the group’s ability.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Keep the possession going
Keep an outlet after the first turn
Begin with one clearly named screener. Let the handler use the set screen before the screener releases. In our base, the other high player becomes an outside return. If the first drive stalls, that return keeps the possession connected and gives the team time to recognize new inside and outside jobs.
After a corner catch, avoid automatically replaying Horns from a disorganized floor. Let the receiver choose a comfortable shot, a clear drive or a return; rebuild the two-high arrangement only when your team calls it. A successful first screen may lead directly to a shot without completing every diagram option.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Decisions against the defense
A corner defender meets the roller
When: The handler sees help leave a corner.
Do this: Check the actual corner passing lane before releasing. A defender can help while still obstructing the pass.
Then: The receiver reads the recovery; the passer leaves room for that receiver’s next move.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The direct roll pass is blocked
When: The roller has position but no safe ball-side window.
Do this: Use the high-low relay only if the high receiver can catch and see a different angle.
Then: If the new angle is also covered, retain an outside outlet rather than forcing a lob.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
What to emphasize
- CoachAssist practice idea: teach one screen. Show the ball handler where to pass when a defender helps, then add the second option.
Problems, fixes and checks
Both high players enter the lane
Problem: The drive and inside receivers overlap.
Try this correction: Name one inside destination and one outside destination before the repetition.
Check: Ask the handler to identify a return pass at the deepest point of the drive.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The handler turns before the screen is set
Problem: The screener chases the defender while the ball arrives.
Try this correction: Slow the approach and separate arriving from screening.
Check: Increase speed only while the screener can stop without moving into a defender.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Versions and diagram coverage
High-low is a passing-angle decision
Changes: read, continuation.
- The linked example adds an outside relay when the direct inside pass is covered.
When to use it: Use only when the relay receiver offers a better angle.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The other high player can go inside
Changes: setup, read.
- That assignment is written-only here. It changes player jobs; it is not simply the base picture mirrored.
When to use it: Specify who screens, who dives and who remains outside before trying it.
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.
Practice it step by step
Choose one of two targets
Set it up: Three attackers without defenders: handler and two high players.
- Name the screener before moving.
- Walk a turn with one player inside and one outside.
Add more when: The two receivers finish in separate windows.
Check it in play
- The handler keeps balance throughout the turn.
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
- Coaches differ on which screener cuts to the basket and which moves outside for a shot. Ask how the play starts, what happens next and who plays each role.
- Do not confuse a clinic product outline with a fully verified drill.
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.
Horns Choice Entry — Roll and Pop
Court diagram · view the drill first
Practices this scheme: A five-player Horns entry practices one chosen ball screen: that screener cuts to the basket, the opposite post moves outside for a shot, and corner receivers stay wide. These are this variant’s rules.
From two elbows and two corners, choose one post to screen and cut toward the basket while the other post moves outward.
5–10 players · 8–15 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
From two elbows and two corners, choose one post to screen and cut toward the basket while the other post moves outward.
Set it up
Five attackers: central handler, two players at the ends of the free-throw line (elbows) and two corners, one ball. Start without defense; adding two screen-action defenders needs seven players. 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 coach selects a side first; later the handler reads the guided defender.
- The chosen elbow player establishes the ball screen and cuts toward the basket after the handler clears; the opposite post moves outward.
- The handler reads the basket, the screener cutting toward it and the available perimeter outlet without forcing a pass.
- Reset and exchange roles so both elbow players practice the two jobs.
- 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
- Here one post screens and cuts to the basket (rolls), while the other moves outward (pops). Not all Horns actions use this variation.
- A post moving outward can catch at a manageable range; do not require a three-point attempt.
- 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 legacy title says “Double Ball Screen”; its actual sequence uses a choice of two elbow players and one ball screen. The displayed title names that sequence.
- 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.
Horns Flare
Court diagram · view the drill first
Practices this scheme: Rehearses a Horns alternative: after the ball screen, the opposite post screens for the first screener to move outside away from the ball, then cuts to the basket. This differs from the basic entry where the first screener cuts to the basket.
A Horns ball screen leads to a second screen that helps the first screener move outward; the second screener can later cut toward the basket.
5–10 players · 8–14 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A Horns ball screen leads to a second screen that helps the first screener move outward; the second screener can later cut toward the basket.
Set it up
Five attackers and one ball in Horns: central handler, two elbows and two corners. Rehearse without defense before adding the relevant defenders and increasing the group size. 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 first post sets the ball screen; the handler uses it under control.
- The other post establishes a legal flare screen; the first screener moves outward after that screen is set.
- Read the perimeter receiver and the second screener’s later cut toward the basket. Pass only to an open target.
- If neither window is available, retain or reverse the ball; reset before rehearsing the other side.
- 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
- Keep cutter routes separated and let the outward-moving receiver clear before the screener cuts toward the basket.
- This variation holds the corners as outlets; other Horns variants can relocate differently.
- 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.
- Horns Offense
James A. Gels, summarizing Lason Perkins · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
- Pick and Roll Offense
Hal Wissel · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public article identified as a permitted excerpt from Basketball: Steps to Success, third edition.