3 Must Have Actions for Shooters
3 Sets Creighton WBB uses to get an open 3 - The Best 5 Out Team in the Country
Following a trip to the Elite 8 in last years NCAA Tournament, the Creighton Blue Jays return their top 3 scorers from a season ago. A team that boasted a 37% 3 point field goal percentage, the offense is primarily based on a 5 out style of play that involves minimal dribbling and a plethora of screening.
Aside from the beautiful randomness that makes it so hard to defend, what really makes the screening action so lethal is the slip and refusal. Jim Flanery has done a marvelous job recruiting to this style and developing the IQ of his players so that he doesn’t need to call set plays every time down the floor. Instead, he relies on the constant motion and ball movement to generate high quality shots.
One of Twitter’s biggest hoops connoisseurs regardless of level or gender had this to say about the Creighton offense.
Let’s Get to The Good Stuff…
Chin Flare
A number of teams run this action for a quick hit 3 out of the “chin” alignment. Initiating with a dribble handoff (DHO) forces the defense to have to guard two actions back to back, providing more opportunity for a defensive miscue. A simple ball reversal to the top of the floor followed by an immediate flare screen generates a quality 3PA as the defender tries to slide under the screen. Key point here is to make sure the player receiving the flare screen pops behind the screen and doesn’t slide too far over allowing their defense to meet them on the other side.
UCLA Pin Down
Another set Creighton ran a bunch in their first few games this season was a UCLA back screen into a pin down. Once again, utilizing consecutive actions frees up one of their best shooters for an open 3 on the wing. What I love about this action is that the defense can’t provide much help on the back screen because Creighton’s post players can really shoot the 3. As a result Creighton has stolen a few points hitting the guard right off the back screen for an easy 2 points before even getting to the pin down.
3. Stagger Curl Series
Multiple reads out of the same alignment to keep the opponent guessing while punishing good defensive principles of showing/helping on staggers when shooters are involved.
Coincidentally enough, Stanford has been running almost the exact same play for years with the 1st screener popping for the shot.