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Early Down Screen Ball Screen Slip

A early offense play against man-to-man: 2 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Early Down Screen Ball Screen Slip, step 1 of 2: 5 offensive players; player 1 has the ball; lines: 1 dribble, 1 screen, 1 cut, 1 pass.
- In transition, 1 dribbles the right side of the floor - 4 down screens for 3 to cut to the keyCredit: Ball Coach

How it works

In early offense, 1 advances on the right while 4 down-screens for 3 to come toward the top. After 3 receives, 5 sprints into a high ball screen and slips immediately, hunting the pass at the rim before the defense can organize.

When to use it

Early offense, in transition or just after the ball crosses half court, against man-to-man that is not set yet. It goes quickly before the defense gets matched up and talks.

Personnel

1 is the ball handler on the right side and the first passer. 4 is a down screener who then fills the strong side. 3 comes to the top off 4's screen to receive and run the ball screen. 5 is the screener who slips to the rim and needs to catch with strong hands. 2 lifts on the weak side to give space.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. - In transition, 1 dribbles the right side of the floor - 4 down screens for 3 to cut to the key

  2. F212345

    Step 2. - 5 sprints to set a high ball screen but immediately slips to the basket

Reads

  1. First read. 1 dribbles the right side and passes to 3, who comes toward the key off 4's down screen.
  2. Second read. 5 sprints up to set a high ball screen for 3. Slip it right away and look for 3 to hit 5 going to the rim.
  3. Third read. If 5's defender stays with the slip, 3 uses the dribble and attacks the space the screen created.

Counter

If the defense is set and 5's defender shows hard on the screen, the slip may be covered. Use the ball screen as a real screen with 3 attacking, and keep 1, 4 and 2 spaced.

Teaching cues

  • 1: pass to 3 as soon as 3 gets to the key; do not hold the ball.
  • 4: screen down hard for 3, then clear to the strong side.
  • 5: sprint to the screen, show it, then slip to the rim with your hands ready.
  • 3: use the screen with your eyes up and see the slip.

Use this play

Version
1 (current), approved October 2, 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.

Topics

  • Early offense
  • Transition
  • 4-out-1-in
  • Man-to-man
  • Ball screen
  • Down screen
  • Slip