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Stagger Diagonal Entry

A sideline out of bounds play against man-to-man: 2 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Full-court diagram of Stagger Diagonal Entry, step 1 of 2: 5 offensive players; player 2 has the ball; lines: 2 screens, 1 pass, 2 cuts.
Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A full-court sideline play near the far free-throw line extended. 3 and 4 set a staggered screen so 1 can catch the diagonal entry in the frontcourt. 1 dribbles into a hand-off for 2, 4 turns and screens the ball, and on the back side 3 back screens 5 for a lob. If the lob defender helps on the ball screen, throw the lob over the top.

When to use it

Sideline out of bounds in the backcourt with the clock running down, against man-to-man, when you need to advance the ball and get a lob look at the rim.

Personnel

1 is the ball handler who catches the diagonal entry and hands off. 2 receives the hand-off. 3 and 4 set the stagger, then 4 turns to screen the ball and 3 back screens for 5. 5 is the lob target. The inbounder needs a long, accurate pass.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. Diagram only.

  2. F212345

    Step 2. Diagram only.

Reads

  1. First read. 1 breaking free off the stagger for the diagonal entry.
  2. Second read. The lob to 5 over the top if the lob defender helps on the ball screen.

Counter

If the entry is denied, the stagger screeners are the outlets: take the safe pass and advance the ball.

Teaching cues

  • 1: use the full width of the stagger, and catch moving toward the ball.
  • 4: turn and screen as soon as the hand-off is made.
  • 5: wait for the back screen, then cut to the rim.

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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