Horns / A-set offense

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

1. 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.
2. The coach selects a side first; later the handler reads the guided defender.
3. The chosen elbow player establishes the ball screen and cuts toward the basket after the handler clears; the opposite post moves outward.
4. The handler reads the basket, the screener cutting toward it and the available perimeter outlet without forcing a pass.
5. Reset and exchange roles so both elbow players practice the two jobs.
6. 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.

Variations & provenance

• 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.

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

1. 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.
2. The first post sets the ball screen; the handler uses it under control.
3. The other post establishes a legal flare screen; the first screener moves outward after that screen is set.
4. Read the perimeter receiver and the second screener’s later cut toward the basket. Pass only to an open target.
5. If neither window is available, retain or reverse the ball; reset before rehearsing the other side.
6. 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.

Variations & provenance

• 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.