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Four-Across Elbow Back Screen

A sideline out of bounds play against man-to-man: 4 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Four-Across Elbow Back Screen, step 1 of 4: 5 offensive players; player 2 has the ball; lines: 2 cuts, 1 pass.
Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A four-frame sideline play from a four-across line just above the arc. 3 steps to the ball as the release while 5 dives to the block to post. 4 sprints to the elbow and back screens 3 for a lob at the rim. If the lob is covered, 4 re-screens for 1 and comes back to the ball, giving the inbounder two outlets. If 1 is denied, he back cuts off 4 for the layup.

When to use it

Sideline out of bounds in the frontcourt, against man-to-man, when you want a lob first and have a big who can set a back screen from the elbow.

Personnel

3 is the release and then the lob target. 4 is the screener from the elbow. 5 dives and posts on the block. 1 is the second option and a back cutter. The inbounder makes a lob pass or a short pass to 4.

Step by step

  1. F123541

    Step 1. Diagram only.

  2. F225341

    Step 2. Diagram only.

  3. F325341

    Step 3. Diagram only.

  4. F425341X1

    Step 4. Diagram only.

Reads

  1. First read. 3 cutting off 4's back screen for the lob at the rim.
  2. Second read. 1 catching after 4's re-screen, or back cutting off 4 if denied.

Counter

If the lob is covered, 4 returns to the ball as the second outlet.

Teaching cues

  • 4: sprint to the elbow, set a firm back screen.
  • 3: step to the ball first, then cut off the screen.
  • 1: use the re-screen, or go back door if you are denied.

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.
Use
Free to view, print and add unchanged to your playbook.

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