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Stack Corner Three

A baseline 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 Stack Corner Three, step 1 of 3: 5 offensive players; player 3 has the ball; lines: 2 cuts, 2 screens.
On the slap, 1 pops to the top of the key, two steps behind the three-point line. 2 dives to the left block. 4 and 5 step out near the line into a double stagger, one behind the other, with their backs to the right corner.Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A late-clock baseline play for a corner three with two backups. Four players stack on the ball-side lane line. On the slap the top player pops to the top of the key, the next dives to the left block, and the two posts step up into a double stagger. The top player runs both screens to the right corner for a short, quick catch-and-shoot. If the corner is taken away, the player on the block comes up and sets a diagonal back screen for a stagger screener, who dives to the rim; if that is taken too, the screener pops to the top for a three.

When to use it

Under your basket, late in a quarter or down three, against man-to-man or a defense that switches, when you want a corner three but need a second and third look if the corner is denied.

Personnel

1 is your best shooter: a catch-and-shoot three in the corner off two screens. 4 and 5 are your screeners, and 4 must dive to the rim and finish. 2 screens at an angle and can shoot a three after popping. 3 inbounds and makes a quick, accurate pass to the corner, or a short one to the rim.

Step by step

  1. F135421

    Step 1. On the slap, 1 pops to the top of the key, two steps behind the three-point line. 2 dives to the left block. 4 and 5 step out near the line into a double stagger, one behind the other, with their backs to the right corner.

  2. F235421

    Step 2. First option: 1 runs off both stagger screens to the right corner, and 3 can pass to the corner. Second option: 2 comes up from the block and holds a diagonal back screen, and 4 cuts off it to the rim, right shoulder rubbing off 2's right shoulder with no gap. 3 can pass to 4. 5 holds the stagger until 1 is through.

  3. F335421

    Step 3. Third option: after 4 has cut, 2 pops to the top of the key, two steps behind the three-point line, for a three.

Reads

  1. First read. 1 in the right corner off the double stagger. The pass is short, so fire it the moment 1 clears the second screener.
  2. Second read. 4 diving to the rim off 2's diagonal back screen. If their help goes to the corner, 4 has the rim alone.
  3. Third read. 2 popping to the top of the key. If 2's defender helped on the dive, 2 catches for a three.

Counter

If they switch the stagger and a big covers 1, the screener whose defender jumps out slips to the rim, and the second and third reads are unchanged.

Teaching cues

  • Stagger: one screen behind the other, a body width apart, backs to the corner, feet set, hold for a count.
  • 1: set your defender up at the top, then run shoulder to hip past both screens.
  • 2: dive to the block, then come up and hold a diagonal back screen; pop only after 4 has cut. 4: cut off it right shoulder to right shoulder with 2, no gap.
  • 3: slap the ball to start it and count to five: know your outlet.

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.
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Free to view, print and add unchanged to your playbook.

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