Northern Kentucky basketball plays in this collection are organized as families. Each family keeps one start, such as the AI cut, the five-out delay, horns or the Strong reversal, and changes only the finish, so the defense sees the same look and has to guess what comes next. The collection has 38 named sets. This page draws 15 of them across 37 frames, chosen as the clearest and most distinct set from each family. Every frame of the original is redrawn, and the text under it names where all five players go.
Northern Kentucky Basketball Plays at a Glance
The original has no written teaching apart from two short notes on the Strong set, so every step below is read from the diagrams. The out-of-bounds sets, the zone set, the single sets and the less distinct members of each family are left off this page. The five families here are the AI cut, the five-out delay, horns, the snap hand-off and Strong.
| Play | Family | Frames | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Exchange | The AI Cut Family | 3 | An AI cut over two elbow screeners, then the screeners trade places and the 5 man comes to set a ball screen for the cutter. |
| AI Lift Swing | The AI Cut Family | 3 | The AI cut ends in the left slot, the 5 man lifts to the top of the key to swing the ball, and the ball comes back through a ball screen on the right side. |
| AI Step Replace | The AI Cut Family | 3 | The AI cut goes to the left wing, a ball screen comes on the right side, and the elbow players step down to replace the spots behind it. |
| Delay Chicago | The Delay Family From Five Out | 2 | A five-out start. The ball goes to the 5 man at the top of the key, a down screen frees a corner player and he takes a hand-off from 5 and attacks the middle. |
| Delay Chicago Backdoor | The Delay Family From Five Out | 2 | The same Chicago hand-off, used as bait. The ball comes back across the floor and the left wing cuts backdoor behind his defender. |
| Delay Hook Punch | The Delay Family From Five Out | 3 | The ball goes to the 5 man up top and comes back to the right wing, while the right corner player comes off a screen into the post for the entry. |
| Delay Backdoor | The Delay Family From Five Out | 2 | The simplest counter in the family. The ball goes to the 5 man up top and the passer cuts straight backdoor. |
| Horns ISO | The Horns Family | 1 | One frame. The ball goes to the left elbow and the right elbow player clears, which leaves the left elbow player one on one going to the rim. |
| Horns Pop Hook Punch | The Horns Family | 2 | A high ball screen from horns with the screener popping, then a down screen brings the left corner player up the left side. |
| Horns Pop Pin | The Horns Family | 3 | The same pop start, then the screener pins for the left corner player, pops out for the ball and feeds him in the post. |
| Snap Go | Snap Go | 2 | A hand-off on the right wing pulls the ball back to the top of the key, and the guard who handed it off gets it back and goes baseline. |
| Strong | The Strong Family | 2 | The base set of the family. The ball is reversed to the left wing and a double screen brings the right corner player to the top of the key. When nothing is open the team flows into its elbow series. |
| Strong Elbow | The Strong Family | 3 | A five-out start that sets up a staggered screen for the left corner player, then a hand-off on the left side from the 5 man at the elbow. |
| Strong Kickback Flare | The Strong Family | 3 | The Strong Elbow start and staggered screen, then the ball is kicked back to the right wing and the shooter flares to the left wing for the skip pass. |
| Strong Knicks | The Strong Family | 3 | A staggered screen brings the left corner player to the top of the key, the ball goes to the left wing, and the set ends in a ball screen for the point guard with the 5 man rolling. |
How to Read These Diagrams
Every play is drawn frame by frame, one diagram for each frame of the original, and the text under each diagram says where every player starts and where he goes. The basket is at the bottom of each diagram. Sides are named as a player sees them facing the basket, so the left wing is on the right side of the picture. A solid arrow is a cut, a dashed arrow is a pass, a wavy line is a dribble and a line ending in a short bar is a screen. The diagram guide covers the symbols in full. No offensive player starts a frame standing in the lane. Where a source frame had someone there, he is drawn on the nearest lane line or block.
Get the next coaching guide in your inbox
One email when a new guide or diagram set goes up. Free.
The AI Cut Family
AI Exchange
An AI cut over two elbow screeners, then the screeners trade places and the 5 man comes to set a ball screen for the cutter.
Frame 1. 1 has the ball at the top of the key, 5 is at the left elbow, 4 at the right elbow, 2 on the left wing and 3 in the right corner. 2 runs the AI cut across the floor, over the screens of 5 and 4, to the right wing and 1 passes to him there. 3 runs the baseline from the right corner to the left corner.
Frame 2. 2 holds the ball on the right wing. 4 screens across from the right elbow for 5, and 5 runs from the left elbow over the top of him toward 2 on the right wing. 1 cuts from the top of the key to the left wing and 3 waits in the left corner.
Frame 3. 5 sets a ball screen for 2 on the right wing, and 2 dribbles off it toward the middle of the floor. 5 pops out to the right corner. 4, who finished the exchange at the left elbow, dives to the left block, 1 drifts from the left wing to the left slot and 3 holds the left corner.
AI Lift Swing
The AI cut ends in the left slot, the 5 man lifts to the top of the key to swing the ball, and the ball comes back through a ball screen on the right side.
Frame 1. 1 has the ball at the top of the key, 2 is high in the right corner, 3 just inside the arc in front of him, 5 at the high post right of the nail and 4 in the left corner. 3 screens for 2, and 2 runs the AI cut off the screen, across the top of the key on the far side of 5, to the left slot, where 1 passes to him. 5 slides over to the right elbow and 4 stays in the left corner.
Frame 2. 2 has the ball in the left slot, 1 is in the right slot, 3 on the right wing, 5 at the right elbow and 4 in the left corner. 5 lifts from the right elbow to the top of the key and 2 passes to him. 1 moves from the right slot to the right wing and 5 swings the ball to him. 3 runs the baseline from the right wing to the left short corner.
Frame 3. 1 has the ball on the right wing, 5 is at the top of the key, 2 on the left wing, 3 in the left short corner and 4 in the left corner. 5 sets a ball screen for 1, and 1 dribbles off it toward the right elbow while 5 rolls to the rim. 3 moves out to the left corner and 4 lifts from the corner up the left side.
AI Step Replace
The AI cut goes to the left wing, a ball screen comes on the right side, and the elbow players step down to replace the spots behind it.
Frame 1. 1 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is at the left elbow, 5 at the right elbow, 2 on the right wing and 3 in the left corner. 2 runs the AI cut over the screens of 5 and 4 to the left wing. 3 cuts from the left corner up to the left elbow, and 1 dribbles toward the right slot.
Frame 2. 1 has the ball in the right slot, 5 is just outside the right elbow, 3 on the left lane line just below the elbow, 4 just above the free-throw line left of the nail and 2 on the left wing. 5 steps out and sets a ball screen for 1, and 1 dribbles down the right side toward the baseline while 5 rolls to the rim. 4 steps out to the right slot and 3 steps up to the left slot to replace them. 2 drops to the left corner.
Frame 3. 1 has the ball in the right short corner after the drive, 5 has rolled to the right lane line, 4 is in the right slot, 3 in the left slot and 2 in the left corner. 1 can finish at the rim, drop the ball to 5 on the roll, or kick it back out to 4 in the right slot.
The Delay Family From Five Out
Delay Chicago
A five-out start. The ball goes to the 5 man at the top of the key, a down screen frees a corner player and he takes a hand-off from 5 and attacks the middle.
Frame 1. Five out. 1 has the ball near half court on the right side, 5 is at the top of the key, 3 in the right corner, 2 in the left corner and 4 on the left wing. 1 dribbles down to the right wing, passes to 5 at the top of the key and then goes down to screen for 3.
Frame 2. 5 has the ball at the top of the key, 1 is inside the arc on the right side, 3 in the right corner, 2 in the left corner and 4 on the left wing. 1 down screens for 3, and 3 comes up off the screen to the right slot, where 5 has dribbled to hand him the ball. 3 drives the middle of the floor to the rim and 5 rolls to the basket after the hand-off. 1 pops out to the right wing, and 2 and 4 stay spaced on the left side.
Delay Chicago Backdoor
The same Chicago hand-off, used as bait. The ball comes back across the floor and the left wing cuts backdoor behind his defender.
Frame 1. Five out. 1 has the ball near half court on the right side, 5 is at the top of the key, 3 in the right corner, 2 in the left corner and 4 on the left wing. 1 dribbles down to the right wing, passes to 5 and then goes down to screen for 3. 2 runs the baseline from the left corner to the right side of the rim.
Frame 2. 5 has the ball at the top of the key, 2 is on the right block after his baseline run, 1 inside the arc on the right side, 3 in the right corner and 4 on the left wing. 1 down screens for 3 and then pops out low on the right wing. 3 comes up off the screen, 5 dribbles over to meet him, and 3 takes a hand-off from him in the right slot, then dribbles back across the top of the key toward the left elbow. 4 runs down the left side, plants and cuts backdoor to the rim, and 3 hits him with the pass. 2 clears out from the rim to the right short corner.
Delay Hook Punch
The ball goes to the 5 man up top and comes back to the right wing, while the right corner player comes off a screen into the post for the entry.
Frame 1. Five out. 1 has the ball near half court on the right side, 5 is near half court in the middle of the floor, 2 in the right corner, 3 in the left corner and 4 on the left wing. 1 dribbles down to the right wing, 5 steps down to the top of the key and 1 passes to him.
Frame 2. 5 has the ball at the top of the key, 1 is on the right wing, 4 in the right corner, 2 on the left wing and 3 in the left corner. 2 and 4 have traded places since the first frame, and the original draws no path for the trade. 1 moves toward the baseline and screens for 4, and 4 comes off the screen and punches into the right side of the lane. 1 pops back out to the right wing and 5 passes to him. 2 and 3 hold on the left side.
Frame 3. 1 has the ball on the right wing, 4 has sealed just outside the right block, 5 is at the top of the key, 2 on the left wing and 3 in the left corner. 1 throws the entry pass in to 4.
Delay Backdoor
The simplest counter in the family. The ball goes to the 5 man up top and the passer cuts straight backdoor.
Frame 1. Five out. 1 has the ball on the left wing, 5 is at the top of the key, 2 on the right wing, 3 in the left corner and 4 in the right corner. 1 passes to 5.
Frame 2. 5 has the ball at the top of the key, 1 is on the left wing, 2 on the right wing, 3 in the left corner and 4 in the right corner. 1 steps out, then cuts backdoor to the rim on the left side and 5 passes to him. Everyone else holds his spot to keep the lane clear.
The Horns Family
Horns ISO
One frame. The ball goes to the left elbow and the right elbow player clears, which leaves the left elbow player one on one going to the rim.
Frame 1. Horns alignment. 1 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is at the left elbow, 5 at the right elbow, 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 1 passes to 4 and cuts to the left wing. 5 cuts from the right elbow across the lane and clears to the left short corner. 4 attacks with the dribble across the free-throw line and drives the right side of the lane to the rim.
Horns Pop Hook Punch
A high ball screen from horns with the screener popping, then a down screen brings the left corner player up the left side.
Frame 1. Horns alignment. 1 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is at the left elbow, 5 at the right elbow, 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 5 sets a ball screen for 1, and 1 dribbles off it to the right. 5 pops to the left slot and 1 passes back to him. 4 drops from the left elbow to screen down for 2.
Frame 2. 5 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is inside the arc on the left side, 2 in the left corner, 1 inside the arc on the right and 3 in the right corner. 4 screens down for 2, and 2 comes up off the screen to the left slot, where 5 passes to him. 1 moves out to the right wing.
Horns Pop Pin
The same pop start, then the screener pins for the left corner player, pops out for the ball and feeds him in the post.
Frame 1. Horns alignment, the same start as Pop Hook Punch. 1 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is at the left elbow, 5 at the right elbow, 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 5 sets a ball screen for 1, 1 dribbles off it to the right, 5 pops to the left slot and 1 passes back to him. 4 moves down the left side toward 2.
Frame 2. 5 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is on the left wing, 2 in the left corner, 1 high on the right wing and 3 in the right corner. 4 goes up and pins 2's defender. 2 comes off the pin and cuts in toward the left block, and 4 pops back out to the left wing, where 5 passes to him.
Frame 3. 4 has the ball on the left wing, 2 has sealed low on the left side outside the block, 5 is at the top of the key, 1 high on the right wing and 3 in the right corner. 4 feeds 2 in the post.
Snap Go
Snap Go
A hand-off on the right wing pulls the ball back to the top of the key, and the guard who handed it off gets it back and goes baseline.
Frame 1. 1 has the ball in the right slot, 2 is low on the right wing, 5 just outside the left block, 3 on the left wing and 4 in the left corner. 1 dribbles toward the right wing and 2 comes up to meet him for a hand-off. 2 takes it and dribbles back toward the top of the key, and 1 stays on the right wing.
Frame 2. 2 has the ball at the top of the key, 1 is on the right wing, 5 just outside the left block, 3 on the left wing and 4 in the left corner. 2 passes back to 1, and 1 goes right away, driving the baseline from the right wing toward the rim. The left side stays spaced so the drive has room.
The Strong Family
Strong
The base set of the family. The ball is reversed to the left wing and a double screen brings the right corner player to the top of the key. When nothing is open the team flows into its elbow series.
Frame 1. 1 has the ball high on the right wing, 4 is at the top of the key, 3 on the left wing, 5 low on the right side just off the block and 2 in the right corner. 1 passes to 4 and 4 swings the ball to 3. 5 cuts across the lane under the rim to the same spot on the left side, just off the block.
Frame 2. 3 has the ball on the left wing, 4 is at the top of the key, 1 on the right wing, 5 low on the left side just off the block and 2 in the right corner. 1 and 4 drop down and set a double screen for 2, and 2 comes off it from the right corner to the left slot, where 3 passes to him. If nothing is open, the team flows into its elbow series.
Strong Elbow
A five-out start that sets up a staggered screen for the left corner player, then a hand-off on the left side from the 5 man at the elbow.
Frame 1. 1 has the ball on the left wing, 5 is at the top of the key, 4 on the right wing, 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 1 passes to 5 and 5 swings it to 4. 1 cuts down the left side toward the short corner and 5 steps to the left elbow.
Frame 2. 4 has the ball on the right wing, 1 is inside the arc on the left side, 5 near the left elbow, 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 1 and 5 set a staggered screen and 2 runs off both of them from the left corner to the top of the key, where 4 passes to him.
Frame 3. 2 has the ball at the top of the key, 5 is just outside the left elbow, 1 in the left corner, 4 on the right wing and 3 in the right corner. 2 passes to 5 at the elbow and then sets a screen at the right elbow. 1 comes up from the left corner and 5 dribbles toward him for a hand-off on the left side. 4 moves toward the right corner and screens for 3, and 3 comes off 4 and then off 2 to the right slot.
Strong Kickback Flare
The Strong Elbow start and staggered screen, then the ball is kicked back to the right wing and the shooter flares to the left wing for the skip pass.
Frame 1. 1 brings the ball up the left side, 5 is at the top of the key, 4 on the right wing, 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 1 dribbles to the left wing, passes to 5 and 5 swings it to 4. 1 cuts down the left side and 5 steps toward the left elbow.
Frame 2. 4 has the ball on the right wing, 1 is inside the arc on the left side, 5 near the left elbow, 2 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 1 and 5 set a staggered screen and 2 runs off both from the left corner to the top of the key, where 4 passes to him.
Frame 3. 2 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is on the right wing, 5 near the left elbow, 1 in the left corner and 3 in the right corner. 2 kicks the ball back to 4. 5 sets a flare screen and 2 flares off it to the left wing, and 4 throws the skip pass over the top to him.
Strong Knicks
A staggered screen brings the left corner player to the top of the key, the ball goes to the left wing, and the set ends in a ball screen for the point guard with the 5 man rolling.
Frame 1. 1 brings the ball up the right side, 4 is inside the arc on the left side, 5 just above the left elbow, 3 in the left corner and 2 in the right corner. 4 and 5 set a staggered screen and 3 runs off both to the top of the key. 1 dribbles to the right wing and passes to 3. 5 cuts from the screen to the right block.
Frame 2. 3 has the ball at the top of the key, 4 is on the left wing, 1 on the right wing, 5 on the right block and 2 in the right corner. 3 passes to 4 and cuts to the left corner. 1 steps in toward the right elbow and comes back out to the top of the key to replace 3.
Frame 3. 4 has the ball on the left wing, 1 is at the top of the key, 5 on the right block, 3 in the left corner and 2 in the right corner. 4 passes to 1. 5 comes up from the right block to set a ball screen, and 1 drives off it to the right while 5 rolls back to the rim.
Ideas That Repeat
- Every family keeps its start and changes the finish, so one install carries several sets.
- The AI cut over two elbow players opens three sets, and each one ends in a different second action.
- The delay sets put the 5 man at the top of the key as the passer and hand-off man, with four players spaced around him.
- A down screen into a hand-off (Chicago) is the main action, and the backdoor cut is its counter.
- Strong, Strong Elbow and Strong Kickback Flare all bring a corner player off two screens to the top of the key.
- Many sets end in a ball screen with the screener rolling or popping, so the last read is a pick and roll read.
The Chicago action is drawn in full in Chicago action basketball, the hand-offs in dribble hand-off and the backdoor counters in backdoor triggers. The horns start is covered in the horns set, the screens in basketball screens, down screen basketball, back screen basketball and flare screen basketball, and the last reads in pick and roll and pick and pop. The spacing behind the delay sets is in 5 out offense. For calling sets from the bench, see how to run quick hitters. Northern Kentucky is one of the programs on the college basketball plays page under the Offense hub. Install one family at a time, start with its first set, then add the counters.
Questions Coaches Ask About Northern Kentucky Basketball Plays
How many sets are in the Northern Kentucky collection?
38 named sets, including out-of-bounds plays and a zone set. This page draws fifteen of them from five of its families.
What is the AI cut in these sets?
A cut by a wing across the floor over two players at the elbows, to the other wing or slot. AI Exchange, AI Lift Swing and AI Step Replace all start with it.
What is Delay Chicago?
A five-out set. The ball goes to the 5 man at the top of the key, the guard screens down for the right corner player, and that player comes up for a hand-off from 5 and attacks the middle while 5 rolls.
Which sets come from horns?
Horns ISO, Horns Pop Hook Punch and Horns Pop Pin. All three start with two players at the elbows and the corners filled.
What happens when Strong does not produce a shot?
The note on the original says the team flows into its elbow series.
School profile: Northern Kentucky Norse on College Basketball Recruit.
Want the printable playbook packs?
Playbook packs: zone attack, press break, press defense, out of bounds, quick hitters, practice plans and the youth turnover cure, each a printable PDF. Or draw your own version free in PlayDraw.
See the playbook packsMore College Basketball Plays
- College Basketball Plays: Sets and Systems by Program
- Butler Basketball Plays: Brad Stevens Ball Screen Sets
- Gonzaga Basketball Plays: Flex Quick Hitters
- Kansas Basketball Plays: Bill Self 2-3 Zone Offense
- Michigan State Basketball Plays: Tom Izzo Sets
- Xavier Basketball Plays: Chris Mack Man Offense Sets
- Pitt Basketball Plays: 1-4 High Sets and Ball Screens
- Davidson Basketball Plays: Motion Offense Rules and Actions
- Belmont Basketball Plays: Backdoor, Chicago, Chin and Nail Sets
- UConn Basketball Plays: 2023 Half-Court Sets Frame by Frame
- Duke Basketball Plays: Motion, Early Offense and Zone Ideas
- Michigan Basketball Plays: Beilein Chin and Shuffle Sets
- Florida Basketball Plays: Billy Donovan Spread Pick and Roll
- Wisconsin Basketball Plays: Bo Ryan Swing Offense Sets
- UCLA Basketball Plays: John Wooden High Post Options
- Memphis Basketball Plays: 2006 Dribble Drive Motion Sets
- West Virginia Basketball Plays: George King's Zone Press
- Villanova Basketball Plays: Jay Wright 4-Out, Perretta Motion
- Seattle U Basketball Plays: The Chin Offense, Read by Read
- UConn Women's Basketball Plays: Auriemma's Strong and Elbow Sets
- BYU Basketball Plays: Mark Pope Pistol, Ricky and STS Sets
- Wichita State Basketball Plays: Shocker, 57 WU, 1-3-1 Special
- Virginia Basketball Plays: Blocker-Mover Sets, Frame by Frame
Back to College Basketball Plays and every Offense page.
Keep Building
Related breakdowns
UConn Women's Basketball Plays: Auriemma's Strong and Elbow Sets
UConn women's basketball plays from Geno Auriemma: the Strong set out of transition and the 1-4 high Elbow series, drawn frame by frame.
Why Every NBA Team Runs the Same Offense: Five Out Delay
Modern NBA offense explained: the five-out delay front, the away trigger, Ram, Spain, zero cuts and zoom, the two outcomes each action hunts, and the history.
