High Post Back Screen Counter
A play against man-to-man: 2 steps with diagrams and coaching points.
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How it works
From a 4-high alignment, the point enters to the high post as the weak-side big back-screens the wing toward the rim. The counter uses a screen-the-screener action to free the big on a curl to the basket, with the high-post passer reading either cutter.
When to use it
Against man-to-man in the half court when you want a high-post entry with a back screen behind it, and a counter if the first action is taken away. Starts from a 4-high alignment. Good when the high post can pass and your bigs can cut.
Personnel
Four players across the high line, with 1 at the top. 1 passes to 5 at the high post. 4 back screens for 3, who cuts to the rim. 5 is the high-post passer and must read both cutters. In the counter, 4 screens the screener to free a big on a curl to the basket.
Step by step
Step 1. Diagram only.
Step 2. Diagram only.
Reads
- First: 3 off the back screen. 1 passes to 5 and 4 back screens for 3. If 3 is open on the cut to the basket, 5 throws it.
- Second: the counter. If the first cut is taken away, 4 screens the screener and a big curls to the basket. 5 reads either cutter.
- Third: the passer. 5 holds the ball at the high post and reads the two cutters.
Counter
If both cuts are covered, 5 keeps the ball at the high post and the ball goes back to 1 to reset.
Teaching cues
- 1: pass to 5 and stay on the ball side.
- 4: set the back screen for 3 with your feet set.
- 3: cut hard off the screen.
- 5: catch facing the rim and read both cutters.
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.
- Use
- Free to view, print and add unchanged to your playbook.
Topics
- 4-high
- Man-to-man
- Back screen
- Curl cut
- Down screen
- Screen the screener
- High post