Chapter - 03

The Single Pivot Offense

Positioning  of  players | Qualifications of players | Single pivot plays

Some years ago, Dutch Dehnert moved into the pivot area for the original Celtics, turned his back to the basket, and the single pivot offense was born. Of the varied offensive patterns used today, this offense is by far the most widely used. Whether it be a free-lance style, a set-play system, or a weave-type pattern, its popularity attests to its strengths and advantages.

Many plays and options have been used successfully with this offense. Thus, it would be ridiculous for the writer to attempt to describe the one best single pivot offense. It will be more to the reader's advantage for a brief description of the positions to be presented along with a number of plays that have been used effectively by coaches over the nation.

Positioning of Players

The single pivot offensive alignment is diagrammed in Chart 1. The guards (G) initiate play patterns from a balanced position behind the free-throw circle. The forwards (F) are used at several positions along the sideline but most often at a sideline position at the free-throw line extended. The center (C) plays at a number of spots, the most common of which are high, low, and on the side as shown in Chart 2.

CHART 1. Basic single pivot set-up. The center may play in several positions as shown in Chart 2.

CHART 2. Three common positions of the center. 1 is at the high post, 2 at the side post, and 3 at the low post.

Qualifications of Players

The guards are the ''quarterbacks" of the offense and usually are the smaller players on the quintet. In conjunction with their size, they usually are faster and the best ball-handlers. This is necessary since they advance the ball downfloor and initiate play patterns. General qualifications of guards include speed, outside shooting ability, ball-handling, driving ability, and leadership.

The forwards generally are larger than the guards, may be slower, but must be good rebounders and should be good side and corner shooters. The ability to drive both the baseline and into the free-throw area for shots is preferred.

The center is most often the largest player on the team and should be the better scorer from the pivot area. He should be a good rebounder and should possess the ability to feed off to cutters. Outside shooting ability is not essential but makes him more effective since he can pull taller opponents away from the basket.

Single Pivot Plays

Charts 3 through 24 diagram single pivot plays that have proved successful for various teams. It is wise here to point out that care must be taken to avoid choosing too many plays for the offense. A selected few well executed will far surpass a larger number poorly executed. It is also advantageous to mention that checks should be readied for each of the plays selected to counter any defensive switch or move by the defense. Of course, all of the plays diagrammed can be run from either side of the floor.

CHART 3. A split-the-post play from the high post position. 1 feeds 5. 1 and 2 split the post with 1, the passer, cutting first. 5 feeds the open player, most often 2 who drives for the basket. 3 and 4 move out for defensive balance.

CHART 4. A variation of the high post split. 2 feeds 4 and screens for cutter 1 as shown. If 1 is open, 4 makes the pass to him for the shot. After the screen, 2 cuts back toward the ball and receives the pass from 4 if 1 is covered. The cut-back maneuver is very effective against the switching man-for-man defense.

CHART 5. A variation of the high post split. As 1 feeds 5, 4 cuts toward baseline. 1 and 2 split the post. If 2 is not open, 5 feeds 4 coming off screen set by 1.

CHART 6. A very simple but effective play. After the pass to 5, 1 and 2 fake a split the post. 4 cuts for the basket for a scoring pass from 5. This is an excellent maneuver to use when the defensive player guarding 4 turns his head to look for the ball.

CHART 7. 2 makes a dribble screen and hands off to 1. 1 passes to 4 who hits 5 at the side post. 4 cuts and makes a moving screen for 1. 1 takes pass from 5 for shot. 2 and 3 interchange positions to keep their defensive men occupied.

CHART 8. 2 passes to 4 and cuts outside to corner. 4 passes to 2 who feeds 5. 2 and 4 split the post with 5 passing to the open cutter, usually 4. Again, the two offensive players away from the ball interchange positions.

CHART 9. As 2 passes to 4, 5 clears away from ball. 2 sets screen for 1 as 4 drives hard to free-throw line. 2 cuts off double-screen set by 2 and 4, receives handoff from 4 and drives for basket. This play is commonly referred to as a "second guard around" play.

CHART 10. Another type of "second guard" play. 2 passes to 4 and cuts outside taking a return pass. 2 will attempt a drive for basket. If he cannot drive all the way, he makes a reverse pivot and feeds 1 cutting off screen set by 4. 5 again has cleared away from the ball.

CHART 11. 3 and 5 set double-screen for 4 as 1 makes dribble hand-off to 2. 2 makes pass to 4 for shot behind double-screen. If defense switches, 5 can roll out toward basket and take pass from 2.

CHART 12. 1 passes to 3. 1 and 2 begin a split-the-post move but stop beside 5 and set a triple-screen for 4. 4 takes pass from 3 for shot behind triple-screen.

CHART 13a. A simple continuity pattern. 2 feeds 4 and cuts around outside to corner. 5 sets screen for cutter 3 as 1 moves to top of circle. If 8 is open, 4 feeds him for shot.

CHART 13b. If 3 is not open, 4 passes to 1 at top of circle who hits 5 and cuts outside. 3 sets screen for 4 cutting for basket as 2 comes out to top of circle. 5 feeds 4 if he is open. This is often referred to as an "inside figure 8."

CHART 14. 2 passes to 4, fakes screen for 1 and cuts down middle. If open, he will receive pass for shot. If not open, he continues on through lane and makes screen for 5. This is a very good method for feeding the pivotman. It also can be very effective against the switching man-for-man defense for it forces a small guard to switch onto the big center.

CHART 15. 2 makes a dribble hand-off to 1 who drives off screen set by 4. If defense does not switch, 1 will drive for basket. If defense switches, 4 rolls out toward basket and takes pass from 1. This play is also very effective against the switching man-for-man defense. If 4 makes a good roll, he will be open for a lay-up. If the roll is not good and the defensive player on 1 switching to 4 succeeds in getting into proper position, it usually will mean that a small man will be guarding a larger man in the pivot area and a score should result anyway.

CHART 16a. A "back door" play that is simple but often effective. 2 passes to 5 as 3 sets screen for 1. 1 cuts off screen and takes pass from 5 for shot.

CHART 16b. Another "back door" play that is particularly effective when the defensive player guarding 1 turns his head to look for the ball. 2 passes to 3 cutting to the high post position. 1 cuts for basket and takes pass from 3 for shot. This play has been executed to perfection by Ohio State teams in recent years.

CHART 17. 2 passes to 4 and cuts outside stopping for a return pass. 4 cuts laterally across floor to screen for cutter 3 coming to meet pass. 5 cuts along baseline. 2 may pass to 3 for a shot or to 5 on the baseline for a pivot move.

CHART 18. 2 sets dribble screen and hands off to 1. 1 passes to 4 and cuts outside. 2 and 5 set double-screen for 3 who cuts for basket. 4 feeds 3 if he is open. After 3 cuts off screen, 2 cuts back toward ball for pass in the event 3 is not open. This second option is very good against a switching

man-for-man defense.

CHART 19. 1 passes to 3, cuts through and clears to opposite side o£ floor. As 1 goes through, 5 moves out to set screen for 3. 3 drives off screen. If defense switches, 3 passes to 5 who has rolled out toward basket. George Mikan and Jim Pollard of the old Minneapolis Lakers used to execute this play to perfection.

CHART 20. As 2 makes a dribbling hand-off to 1,3 clears to the opposite side of the floor. After the handoff,· 2 cuts toward baseline, reverses direction, and cuts back to foul line for pass from 1. After pass, 1 cuts off 2 where a variety of options may develop. 1 may receive a pass for a score as shown in this diagram. He may stop behind 2 for shot. 2 may fake a pass to 1 and either shoot or drive. This was a pet play of Phil Woolpert's San Francisco Dons.

CHART 21. The four-man weave. 1 makes a dribble screen and hand-off to 2. 1 may cut down the middle or continue on for screen for 4. 2 takes hand-off and drives toward 3 making pass to 3 coming to meet pass. 2 fakes toward 3, then cuts down middle for return pass and shot. A variety

of options are open to players using this type pattern.

CHART 22. Using the double-screen with the weave. 1 passes to 2 and cuts down middle looking for return pass. 2 drives toward 3 and with 5 makes a double-screen for 3. 2 hands off to 3 who drives for basket. 2 can fake the hand-off and drive himself.

CHART 23. Feeding the pivotman from the weave. 1 passes to 2 and uses the give and go down the middle. 2 dribbles toward 3, passes to 3, and cuts down middle looking for return pass. As 3 starts dribble out, 5 breaks toward ball. 3 passes to 5 and cuts toward basket setting up a split-the-post situation with 2.

CHART 24. A three-man split that can be effective against the sagging defense. 2 feeds 5 and cuts toward basket. 4 cuts off his tail for basket. 1 cuts off 4 becoming the third cutter and takes pass from 5.

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