Stagger Loop Curl and Shoot

When to use it

Half-court set against man-to-man, 3-out 2-in, when you want a quick rim curl plus a good catch on the wing. It suits two perimeter players who can run tight off screens and shoot.

Personnel

1 is the ball handler on the right. 2 and 3 are the two circling cutters, starting in the corners. 4 and 5 are the screeners on the left side who stagger. 2 needs to curl tight to the rim; 3 needs to catch and shoot or attack off the same screens.

Reads

1. First read. 2 loops around the stagger screens from 5 and 4 and curls to the rim. Pass to 2 if his defender trails the screens.
2. Second read. 3 comes across the baseline and circles off the same stagger to the wing. 1 dribbles to a good angle and passes to 3 on the wing.

Counter

If 2's curl is denied and 3's defender goes under the stagger, hit 3 early for the shot. If 3's defender chases tight, 3 can use the catch to go to the rim.

Teaching cues

• 2 and 3: take the long loop, curl shoulder to the screener.
• 4 and 5: stay in a tight stagger, screen square and hold until the cutter passes.
• 1: dribble to the right to get an angle, then pass when the cutter turns to the ball.
• 3: catch with your feet ready and shoot or attack.