Horns Handoff Stagger Backdoor
A play against man-to-man: 3 steps with diagrams and coaching points.
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How it works
From horns, the corners lift as the elbow players clear, and 1 enters to 3. The ball flows into a 3–5 handoff while 1 uses the backside stagger to cut backdoor; look for 1 when the defense trails or overplays.
When to use it
Half-court against man-to-man, especially a defense that overplays the passing lanes or trails cutters. It starts in horns and ends with a backdoor cut off a stagger.
Personnel
1 starts on top. 4 and 5 are at the elbows and clear to the wings. 2 and 3 start in the corners and lift to the elbows. 1 enters the ball to 3, then cuts backdoor off the stagger. 3 and 5 run the handoff. 2 and 4 are the staggered screeners.
Step by step
Step 1. Diagram only.
Step 2. Diagram only.
Step 3. Diagram only.
Reads
- First read. 1 cutting backdoor off the stagger from 2 and 4. If the defense trails or overplays, the ball handler hits 1 for the layup.
- Second read. The handoff from 3 to 5. If the backdoor is not open, take the handoff and attack or keep the ball moving.
Counter
If 1's defender sees the backdoor and stays tight, the staggered screeners can be used again as the ball moves. Do not force the pass if 1 is covered.
Teaching cues
- 1: make a hard entry cut first, then use the stagger to go backdoor.
- 2 and 4: screen together on the same side and stay set until 1 is through.
- 3 and 5: run the handoff on time and keep your eyes on 1's cut.
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
- Horns
- Man-to-man
- Backdoor cut
- Dribble handoff
- Stagger screen