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Back Screen Stagger Three

A sideline out of bounds play against man-to-man: 2 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Back Screen Stagger Three, step 1 of 2: 5 offensive players; player 1 has the ball; lines: 1 screen, 1 cut.
Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A sideline play for a late three. 5 back screens the shooter's defender to send the shooter to the rim, then shapes up to receive the inbounds pass. 2 relocates off a staggered down screen from 4 and 3 to the opposite wing. The shooter's defender must trail through the stagger. If the top screener's defender switches out, 4 slips to the rim.

When to use it

Sideline out of bounds, against man-to-man, when you need a three and have a shooter who can run off a stagger.

Personnel

2 is the shooter: sells a cut to the rim, then runs off the stagger. 5 back screens and then becomes the inbounds target. 4 and 3 are the stagger screeners, and 4 slips if his defender switches. The inbounder passes to 5 or to 2.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. Diagram only.

  2. F212345

    Step 2. Diagram only.

Reads

  1. First read. 5 catching the inbounds pass after the back screen.
  2. Second read. 2 coming off the staggered down screen to the opposite wing for a catch and shot.
  3. Third read. 4 slipping to the rim if the defender of the top screener switches.

Counter

If the shot is covered, the ball is with 5 near the sideline: reset or use 5 as a passer.

Teaching cues

  • 2: sell the cut to the rim first, then run tight off both screens.
  • Screeners: stay spaced a body apart and hold.
  • 4: slip only if your defender jumps out.

Use this play

Version
1 (current), approved October 1, 2026
Published by
Ball Coach
Source
Published by Ball Coach under its first-party license, credited to Ball Coach. Released as a fixed version; any later edit gets a new version number.
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Free to view, print and add unchanged to your playbook.

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