Which version the court shows
Hill’s Box 3 Stack clears the inbounder away, then offers a backdoor read. A later post curl is a covered-cut alternative.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
← Library of Schemes
inbounds
SLOB zipper–backdoor misdirection
For this sideline out-of-bounds (SLOB) entry, a receiver cuts up from the baseline around a screen to catch—the action called a zipper cut. The inbounder then moves to the opposite side to draw attention. The receiver drives toward the opposite elbow, where the free-throw line meets the paint, while a wing moves outward before cutting behind the defender toward the basket.
How it runs
Box 3 Stack: misdirection, backdoor read, post-curl fallback
Nate Hill’s Box 3 Stack has 3 inbound, 1 receive, and 2 screen before becoming the backdoor cutter. The drawing follows a covered backdoor into the published post-curl option. 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 screens for the first receiver
2 holds the down screen while 1 cuts up from the baseline. 3 waits outside the sideline.
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
Show the first outside target and the space behind that player’s defender. The passer must be able to see both before attempting the backdoor delivery. Keep the opposite-side screeners from starting their next action early. They must know when the first cutter is leaving the lane, not merely memorize a count.
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 protects the backcut rather than chasing the outside show.
Do this: Keep the ball. Allow the cutter to clear before starting the agreed post action.
Then: If the later curl is also guarded, preserve an outside outlet and use the next offense.
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: The passer throws the backdoor pass before seeing the defender.
Try this correction: Use a defender who alternates outside denial and inside protection at walking speed.
Check: The passer can decline a covered cut without treating it as a mistake.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Compare versions without mixing them
What changes—and what does not
Changes: entry, read.
- A zipper entry and a backcut are different stages here. Not every play called Zipper includes this misdirection or post curl, and a covered backcut is not an instruction to force a lob.
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
See space behind a defender
Set it up: Adult passer, receiver and guided defender with no screens.
- Receiver shows outside.
- Defender chooses inside or outside position.
- Receiver moves to the open space and stops for a short pass.
Add more when: The receiver looks before changing direction.
Check it in play
- Safe stopping room.
- Passer waits for a visible target.
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
- Timing and help coverage determine the read; no guaranteed scoring result.
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.
Backdoor Cut Breakdown
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Develops a denied receiver setting up a cut behind the defender for a finish. Its cue is the ballhandler dribbling toward the receiver, not the full sideline out-of-bounds sequence with an upward cut around a screen and misdirection.
When a defender denies the wing pass, an agreed dribble toward that wing cues a cut behind the defender and a controlled entry pass.
3–12 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
When a defender denies the wing pass, an agreed dribble toward that wing cues a cut behind the defender and a controlled entry pass.
Set it up
Three players: top handler, wing cutter and guided denial defender, one ball. Leave the lane and landing space clear; a full two-on-two progression needs four 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 wing moves toward the ball so the handler can identify the defender’s position.
- When the handler dribbles toward the wing on the agreed cue, the wing changes direction and cuts behind the defender through a clear route toward the basket.
- The passer leads a controlled catch if the window is open. If not, keep the ball and let the cutter clear.
- Finish or reset, then rotate the three roles and rehearse 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
- Dribble-at is the selected cue in this drill, not an instruction for every offense.
- Use a pass suited to the actual window; neither a bounce pass nor a backcut guarantees success.
- 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.
Pin Down Four Reads
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices turning closely around a screener or cutting behind the defender according to coverage. This supports the second cutter’s decision without inventing a complete sideline out-of-bounds pattern.
A screen for a low cutter offers a curved cut, a straight cut, an outward cut or a cut behind the defender, depending on the guided defense.
4–12 players · 8–15 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A screen for a low cutter offers a curved cut, a straight cut, an outward cut or a cut behind the defender, depending on the guided defense.
Set it up
Four players: passer, screener, cutter and guided cutter defender; a coach indicates the coverage. Use one ball and rehearse one cut at a time. 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 defender shows the agreed cue; the screener becomes stationary before the cutter leaves.
- When the defender follows behind, consider curving around the screen; if the route opens, consider the straight cut.
- If the defender leaves space or stands above the cutter to block the route toward the screen, consider moving outward or cutting behind the defender only when that space is clear.
- Pass to an available target for a controlled shot or reset. Rotate all four 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
- These are possible reads, not guaranteed scoring outcomes.
- The diagram’s four paths are alternatives. A sound read still counts as learning when a shot misses.
- 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.
- Sideline Out of Bounds Plays
Brian Williams; plays submitted by Nate Hill · Coaching Toolbox · 2019-10-10
Two publicly described examples only; advertised encyclopedia not accessed.