Triple Stagger 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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How it works
A sideline play. 5 down screens for 1 to get the entry pass, then the inbounder (2) sprints the baseline off a triple stagger from 5, 4 and 3 for a catch-and-shoot three on the far side. If the shot is not there, it flows into a wing ball screen from 4 with 5 diving to the rim and 3 lifting to the weak-side corner. The read is the defender on the baseline run: trailed means shoot, jumped means come off the ball screen and attack the middle.
When to use it
Sideline out of bounds in the frontcourt, against man-to-man or a defense that switches, when your inbounder can shoot and handle.
Personnel
2 inbounds and then runs the baseline as the shooter. 1 receives the entry. 5, 4 and 3 form the triple stagger and then run the ball screen action. 5 dives and 3 lifts after the ball screen.
Step by step
Step 1. Diagram only.
Step 2. Diagram only.
Step 3. Diagram only.
Reads
- First read. 2 catching off the triple stagger for a three on the far side.
- Second read. A ball screen from 4 on the wing, with 5 diving to the rim and 3 lifting to the weak-side corner.
Counter
If the baseline defender jumps the run, come off the wing ball screen and attack the middle.
Teaching cues
- 2: run tight off all three screens, hands ready.
- Screeners: stagger with one body width between you.
- 1: catch and deliver the ball to 2 on time.
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.
Topics
- Sideline out of bounds
- Man-to-man
- Switching defense
- Ball screen
- Pin-down
- Stagger screen
- Lift