offense

Split-action offense

Pass to a teammate near the basket or free-throw line. Two teammates outside then cut or screen for each other. The player with the ball watches who gets open.

How it runs

Choose an action to learn

Pass inside, then screen for the corner player

Pass to 5 near the basket, then screen for 3 in the corner. This example shows an action also used in Triangle; it is one part of that offense. 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. Pass to 5 near the basket

2 passes to 5 near the basket. 3 waits in the corner. 1 and 4 stay spread out and ready for a pass outside.

Diagram key

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.

Watch & learn (1)

Clips may use a different version. Check each match note; links open in a new tab.

Kenny Atkinson — Split Action
By NBA · Coach: Kenny Atkinson
Official 2024 coaching clip about Golden State’s split action. A related system example, not the exact numbered drill.
No approved on-site player is recorded for this video.
Open publisher video page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NBA: Kenny Atkinson — Split Action
Link reviewed 2026-09-09

Split is an action around an inside passer, not the whole Triangle or Warriors offense. Our drawings show one screen and a separate screener-slip read; these teaching tasks develop the decisions around them.

In this guide · jump to a topic

Starting jobs and useful space

What this version covers

Sturtz documents a Double Drag entry into Split, not only a stationary post entry.

Source-backed summary; versions may differ.

Chandler Sturtz · Golden State Warriors Split Action

Three active jobs, two important outlets

Our 2 passes to 5 inside, then screens for corner player 3. Players 1 and 4 stay outside the immediate action. Start by asking 5 to identify both cutters and an outside return before receiving. The post catch is a passing position as well as a possible scoring position.

The screen should leave room for 3 to choose a route and for 2 to become a receiver afterward. Do not place the screen so close to 5 that all three attackers share the same small pocket. The other two players should not cut into the split simply to appear active.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Keep the possession going

Do not make the post pass the end of the passer’s job

Teach the entry and the screen as separate moments. First get a controlled catch inside; then establish the screen, then let the cutter use it. If the post cannot catch, keep the outside ball moving instead of sending cutters through an action whose passer is missing.

After the first outside catch, ask the original inside player and screener to show different targets. A covered split can lead to a safe outside return and another taught action. There is no requirement to repeat the same screen immediately, especially while the first cutter is still clearing.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Decisions against the defense

Both defenders follow the receiver

When: The screener is no longer closely guarded.

Do this: Look for the screener’s separate inside window without throwing through the cutter.

Then: If help removes that window, the inside holder can retain the ball and use an outside outlet.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

The inside passer is pressured

When: The holder cannot see the cutter clearly.

Do this: Protect the catch and use the nearest visible return. Cutters should separate rather than demand a blind pass.

Then: Move the ball out before deciding whether to enter again or choose another action.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

What to emphasize

CoachAssist practice idea: use three offensive players and one defender. Pass inside, then have the two outside players choose their cuts or screen based on that defender.

Problems, fixes and checks

Screener and cutter leave together

Problem: Both arrive in the same receiving area.

Try this correction: Walk the cutter’s route first, then let the screener show a different target.

Check: Can the passer identify each receiver without turning through traffic?

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

The inside pass arrives before the target is ready

Problem: The receiver is still moving or looking away.

Try this correction: Require a clear target and a balanced catch before triggering the split.

Check: Do not praise a completed pass that leaves the receiver immediately trapped.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Versions and diagram coverage

The slipping screener is another read

Changes: read.

The linked example changes the receiver when defenders follow the cutter. It does not change the initial purpose of Split.

When to use it: Read the second defender before selecting the pass.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

A different entry is not a different split

Changes: entry, names only.

Double Drag into Split remains written-only here. Screen-release assignments must be checked; our pace-and-space double drag is not a diagram of that Warriors entry.

When to use it: Teach an entry only when its final spacing supplies the necessary inside passer and two separated outside players.

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.

Select level to learn

Practice it step by step

Find two separate targets

Set it up: Three attackers near the basket without defenders.

One holds inside while the others walk a screen and cut.
Rotate the holding role so everyone practices seeing the floor.

Add more when: The holder recognizes two different receiving spaces.

Check it in play

The cutter waits for the screen to be set.

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

Split action overlaps Triangle and Princeton Point, but does not make those entire systems equivalent.

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.

SLOB High-Post Split Read

Court diagram · view the drill first

Practices this scheme: A documented sideline out-of-bounds example passes to a central receiver, then uses teammates’ cuts, a handoff, or that receiver keeping the ball to attack. It is one Split Action context, not every post variation.

Connect a sideline out-of-bounds pass to teammates cutting or using a handoff around a receiver near the free-throw line.

5–15 players · 5–12 minutes · basketballs

Purpose

Connect a sideline out-of-bounds pass to teammates cutting or using a handoff around a receiver near the free-throw line.

Set it up

Inbound beside the wing. A guard moves up from beside the paint near the basket; another receiver waits near the free-throw line, with teammates on the opposite side. 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.
Inbound to the guard, who passes to the receiver near the free-throw line.
The guard and inbounder make the coach’s chosen cuts or use a handoff around that receiver; specify who screens and who cuts before starting.
The receiver near the free-throw line reads the defense: complete the handoff, shoot, or fake the handoff and attack.
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

Before starting, name who screens and who cuts.
Inbounder begins outside the sideline.
Keep a safe alternate receiver when the first action is denied.
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.
Provenance (source-based): Core teaching idea is supported by the linked public source. Coordinates, timings and rotation logistics are original SportsPlay teaching aids, not reproduced source diagrams. Coach review is required.

Brian Williams; plays submitted by Nate Hill — Sideline Out of Bounds Plays

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

Court diagram · view the drill first

Builds a skill used in this scheme: Develops legal screen-and-cut timing before adding the central receiver’s decision to pass or attack; the drill itself does not contain teammates cutting around a post catch.

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.

Triangle Offense
James A. Gels · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
Teaching the Princeton Offense — Point Series
Nate Hartman · Coach Nate Hartman · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
Golden State Warriors Split Action
Chandler Sturtz · Hooper University · 2022-05-02
Public written split-screen reads reviewed; publication date confirmed in the publisher’s index. Original numbered slip example, not a reconstruction of game footage.