Four-High Reverse Pindown Curl

When to use it

Late in a close game when you need a three, against man-to-man. Run it from a four-high line when you want the ball to swing and the defense to lose track of who is screening for whom.

Personnel

2, 3, 4 and 5 line up across the elbows in a four-high line, 1 on top with the ball. 4 and 5 are the screeners and need to screen on the move. 1 and 2 are the shooters who do the exchanging. The player who ends up as the final shooter must be able to catch and shoot off a curl.

Reads

1. First read. The final shooter coming off the pin-down to the wing: catch and shoot the three if the defender is behind the screen.
2. Second read. If the defender trails the screen, the shooter curls tight and goes to the rim instead of shooting.
3. Setup. Early on, 1 dribbles and passes to the wing and the ball is reversed. Keep the ball moving so the defense cannot sit on the final screener.

Counter

If the defender fights over the top of the pin-down and takes the wing three away, curl hard to the lane. If both are taken away, keep the ball and do not force a late-clock shot.

Teaching cues

• Shooter: set your defender up high, then loop into the lane before you use the pin-down.
• Screeners: set the screen with your feet planted and wait until the shooter is past.
• 1 and 2: swing the ball on time so the screen happens as the pass arrives.