Horns Cut and Handoff Return

When to use it

Half-court set against man-to-man from horns, when you want to make 1's defender chase through several screens and then hit a clean handoff turn. Good with a ball handler who can attack off a handoff.

Personnel

1 is the guard who enters the ball to 5 and cuts off 4. 5 is the handoff man at the elbow and needs to be ready to hand it back. 4 is the first screener and ends on the right side. 2 and 3 are on the wings and space the floor.

Reads

1. First read. 1 coming back around 5 for the handoff. Hand it to 1 as he turns the corner.
2. Second read. The space after the handoff. 1 attacks if his defender is trailing, and 5 can keep the ball if 1 is denied.

Counter

If 1's defender gets through the screens and jumps the handoff, 5 can keep the ball and attack, or 1 keeps cutting. Do not force the handoff.

Teaching cues

• 1: pass to 5, then cut off 4 toward the rim.
• 1: after the cut, come back around 5 tight for the handoff.
• 5: hand it off and stay ready to attack if the defender jumps.
• 4: set the screen, then slide to the right side.