Set Plays

The Basic Set

How to run The Basic Set — a set play you can teach frame by frame and take to your next practice.

Online Basketball Playbook · Published May 30, 2026 · 3 min read
The Basic Set — frame 1 diagram
1 passes to 3; 1 cuts to the right corner; 2 cuts to the right perimeter; 3 passes to 1
The Basic Set — frame 2 diagram
2 dribbles to the left perimeter; 5 screens near the left low post; 5 cuts to the left low post; 4 cuts to the left wing; 2 passes to 4; 3 cuts to the right wing; 1 cuts to the right low post
The Basic Set — frame 3 diagram
2 cuts to the right corner; 3 cuts to the top; 4 passes to 2
The Basic Set — frame 4 diagram
3 dribbles to the right perimeter; 5 screens near the lane; 3 cuts to the free-throw line; 3 passes to 1; 3 cuts to the lane; 1 passes to 5
The Basic Set — frame 5 diagram
1 passes to 5; 1 cuts to the basket; 5 passes to 1; 2 cuts to the right wing; 4 screens near the left low post; 3 cuts to the left low post
The Basic Set — frame 6 diagram
4 cuts to the left corner; 1 cuts to the right low post; 5 cuts to the left wing; 2 cuts to the left perimeter; 3 passes to 2; 2 cuts to the lane
The Basic Set — frame 7 diagram
4 cuts to the left corner; 2 passes to 1; 5 cuts to the free-throw line; 2 cuts to the right corner
The Basic Set — frame 8 diagram
1 dribbles to the right perimeter; 1 passes to 5; 3 cuts to the left perimeter; 4 cuts to the left low post; 2 cuts to the right low post
The Basic Set — frame 9 diagram
Starting alignment (5 offense)

The Basic Set is your half-court workhorse when you want to cycle through multiple scoring options before committing. You use ball reversal, screen actions near the low post and elbow, and corner cuts to keep the defense constantly shifting. Call it when you have time to execute and need to find the weakest matchup.

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