Upscreen Lob Ball Screen
A play against man-to-man: 2 steps with diagrams and coaching points.
Add to My Playbook
How it works
The ball advances on the right as 5 sets an upscreen for 2 to cut to the rim for the lob. If the cutter is denied, 1 hits 2 on the wing and 4 follows with a ball screen to create a lane drive.
When to use it
Half-court set against man-to-man when you want a lob to start, then a ball-screen drive on the wing. Good against a defense that denies the cutter, since the second action begins right away.
Personnel
1 has the ball on the right side. 2 sets a down screen for 5, who cuts to the rim for the lob. 4 is the screener for the ball-screen action on the wing. 3 is spaced on the weak side.
Step by step
Step 1. Diagram only.
Step 2. Diagram only.
Reads
- First read. 5 cutting to the rim off 2's down screen. 1 throws the lob if 5 is open.
- Second read. 2 on the wing. If the lob is denied, 1 passes to 2 and 4 follows with a ball screen for 2 to drive.
Counter
If the lob is denied and the ball screen is switched, 2 can drive at the bigger defender or pass back to 1.
Teaching cues
- 1: dribble up the side first, then look for the lob.
- 2: screen down, then pop to the wing for the ball.
- 5: use the screen tightly, cut straight to the rim.
- 4: come to the ball screen after 2 catches it.
- 3: stay spaced and ready.
Use this play
- Version
- 1 (current), approved October 2, 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
- 4-out-1-in
- Man-to-man
- Back screen
- Ball screen
- Lob