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Scissor Three

A sideline out of bounds play against man-to-man or switching defense: 3 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Scissor Three, step 1 of 3: 5 offensive players; player 3 has the ball; lines: 3 cuts.
Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A sideline play for a late three. 1 V-cuts to the ball while 4 and 2 scissor off 5 at the free-throw line to occupy the help. 5 then screens 4 back above the arc for a safe entry. The moment 4 catches, 5 re-screens for 2, who pops from the lane out to the far wing for the three. If the defense jumps the entry, 1 is on the ball-side sideline as the release.

When to use it

Sideline out of bounds in the frontcourt, against man-to-man or a defense that switches, when you need a game-tying three.

Personnel

5 is the screener at the free-throw line and sets two screens. 4 receives the safe entry. 2 is the shooter, popping from the lane to the far wing. 1 is the release on the sideline.

Step by step

  1. F131542

    Step 1. Diagram only.

  2. F231245

    Step 2. Diagram only.

  3. F331254

    Step 3. Diagram only.

Reads

  1. First read. 4 catching the entry above the arc after 5's screen.
  2. Second read. 2 popping to the far wing off 5's re-screen for the three.
  3. Third read. 1 on the ball-side sideline if the entry is jumped.

Counter

If the entry is denied, throw to 1 on the sideline and call a timeout if you have one.

Teaching cues

  • 4 and 2: scissor tight off 5, hold your cuts until the screen is set.
  • 5: screen, then re-screen the instant the ball is caught.
  • 2: pop to the wing with your hands ready.

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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