Press Breaks

Press breaks have myriad options for player positions and rotations, which can be overwhelming. One goal should be to keep it as simple as possible, but not simpler. Sending one player upcourt, or having one player in the middle of a 1-3-1 or 2-1-2 press break set, simplifies rotations and is tactically sound.

The easiest press breaks flow from the primary fast break, as players are already in position. You can also inbound the ball quickly before the press gets organized. See

Hoop Tactics and Fast breaks - North Carolina, Larry Brown
Michael Lynch, Middle, 2-1-2
1-Up, Xavier 1-Up, Shaka Smart

A different option is to get organized against the press (e.g., 4-across), don't be in a hurry to pick up the ball when the other team scores. For examples of press-break "sets", see 1-4 set, Old Dominion Regular. Bringing more players into the backcourt can provide passing options and pull defenders away from protecting their basket, but crowd the backcourt.

A key consideration is what kind of press you are facing - a man press, 1-2-1-1, or containing zone (2-2-1, 1-2-2).

Against man, usually the biggest challenge is to inbound the ball, then you can clear out. Flashes and screening are used to get open.
A 1-2-1-1 looks to deny and/or trap an inbounds pass. Avoid the coffin corners, and bypass the primary receiver(s).
A containing zone does not contest or trap an inbounds pass. A 1-3-1 press break set can be used, or a 2-1-2 alignment with longer passes and simple player rotations.

Being able to use the same press break against multiple presses aids in simplification. A 2-up set is flexible, see Canada Basketball, Double Middle, Hackenberg 2-up.

Against a "hot" press that denies and/or traps an inbounds pass (e.g. a 1-2-1-1), bypass the guards with a sideline flash (Double Middle, Hackenberg 2-up, Bill Self 1-3-1) or a middle flash (Old Dominion regular, Canada Basketball, Xavier 2-Up).
Use a 2-up set to get a guard in the middle (Hackenberg Soft pressure, also Canada Basketball).

A 1-4 set is also flexible, with options for screening, cutting and to go long. Outside players will usually be open against 1-2-1-1.

1-4 set, Xavier 4-across, Old Dominion Line

Player skills affect player positions and rotations, especially for your big. If your big

can handle pressure and pass well, put them in the middle of the press break (Michael Lynch, Middle, 2-1-2)
can't handle the ball under pressure, put them upcourt, out of the press-break rotation
- before an inbounds pass (Shaka Smart, 1-Up, Xavier 1-Up)
- after an inbounds pass to someone else (Duke vs 1-2-1-1, Bill Self 1-3-1)
is on a par with your other players, possibly use a full five-man rotation (Double Middle, LSU Set, Giorgis regular).

Optionally run inbounder 4 to halfcourt,

against a containing zone
- Duke vs 2-2-1, Hofstra
- Old Dominion Trap "O", Middle, Arizona 2-2-1 (4 in the middle of a 1-3-1 set)
to clear out against a man press (Xavier 1-Up)
to get a guard behind the ball (5star Spots, also Dave Odom Away).

A conventional press break gets into a 1-3-1 alignment on the inbounds pass (and on reversal to the inbounder), with 3 short pass options and a long pass. Good passing teams may want to stretch the defence using a progression of options:

the sideline player stretches vertically, opening up a pass over the top or a dribble attack up the sideline
- Middle (Don Kelbick), Michael Lynch
the inbounder spaces weakside (a 2-1-2 look), allowing ball reversal with one pass
- Shaka Smart, Hackenberg 2-up (windshield wiper cuts)
- Hackenberg Soft pressure (stay in a 2-1-2)
- Michael Lynch, 2-1-2 (2-1-2 with 5 in the middle)
instead of a short, diagonal pass to the middle, have a longer diagonal pass to the weakside, leaving open the middle of the floor (2-2-1 set).

Fundamentals