Defense

Guard Thru

How to run Guard Thru — a defensive set you can teach frame by frame and take to your next practice.

Online Basketball Playbook · Published May 30, 2026 · 2 min read
Guard Thru — frame 1 diagram
Starting alignment (5 offense)
Guard Thru — frame 2 diagram
1 passes to 2; 1 cuts to the lane; 2 passes to 5; 5 passes to 3; 3 screens near the left low post; 4 cuts to the left low post
Guard Thru — frame 3 diagram
3 screens near the basket; 5 screens near the lane; 4 cuts to the basket; 4 cuts to the top

Run Guard Thru when you want to force the defense to make tough decisions on the weak side. You use a series of screens near the low post and lane to free a cutter diving to the basket, then reset him back to the top if the first look isn't there. It's a patient play that rewards you when defenders lose track of the cutter through traffic.

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