Chapter - 04

The Double Pivot Offense

Positioning of players | Qualifications of players | Double pivot plays

When a team has two good pivot scorers and wishes to take advantage of each, the double pivot offense can be very effective. Though positioning two players in the pivot area may reduce driving opportunities by the outside players, added scoring opportunities from the pivot area and two players always in rebound position more than offset the disadvantage.

Positioning of Players

Chart 25 illustrates the normal double pivot set-up with the pivotmen tight. The three backcourt players, commonly called guards (G), initiate play patterns from a balanced position behind the free-throw circle as shown. The pivotmen (P) play along each foul-lane line moving anywhere from the base-line to the free-throw line and changing sides in screens for each other.

If the pivotmen can shoot from the corners, they may be played wide as shown by Chart 26. This opens the middle and allows better driving opportunities by the guards and allows flash-pivoting opportunities.

CHART 25. The double-pivot offense CHART 26. The double-pivot offense with pivotmen tight.         with pivotmen spread wide.

Qualifications of Players

The guards should possess the same qualifications as single pivot guards —speed, ball-handling ability, driving ability, etc.—with the middle guard (d) the key playmaker or "quarterback." Both post men must be good pivot scorers, good rebounders, and should be able to feed cutters. Outside shooting ability by these pivotmen will allow for more attack variability since the wide post set-up can be used effectively and taller opponents taken outside.

Many smaller players are good pivot players. The double pivot offense affords an excellent opportunity for using these smaller pivotmen. Since most teams have one player more adept at guarding a pivot player, he will usually be assigned to the taller of the two pivot players. A player less familiar with defensing a pivotman will be assigned to the smaller pivotman. This allows for increased scoring opportunities by the small pivot player and presents quite a defensive problem to the opposing team.

Double Pivot Plays

As in the previous chapter, the plays diagrammed by Charts 27 through 44 are intended to present a sufficient number to allow the discerning coach to select a few that will best fit his personnel.

CHART 27. A split-the-post play. 2 passes to 5 coming out to meet pass. 2 and 3 split off 5 with 2 cutting first. As 5 feeds 3, 4 sets back screen for 1 who cuts for basket. 3 may shoot, pass to 2 or to 1. 4 must continue on out for defensive balance.

CHART 28. 2 makes dribble handoff to 3 and moves toward corner. 3 makes dribble toward middle of court and return passes to 2. As this pass is being made, 5 screens for 4 who cuts toward ball. 2 feeds 4 and joins 3 in a split-the-post situation.

CHART 29. 3 passes to 2 and cuts through lane in front of 5. 5 cuts toward ball and takes pass from 2. After making pass, 2 cuts outside 5. 5 may pass to 2, may fake pass and drive the middle, or may pass to 4 cutting off screen set by 3.

CHART 30. 3 passes to 5 and screens for 2. 5 dribbles toward foul line forming double-screen for 2 coming outside. When 2 receives pass from 5, he may drive for basket. If covered, he may pass to 4 coming off double-screen set by 3 and 5.

CHART 31. 2 passes to 3 and sets screen for 1. 3 drives toward foul line forming double-screen for 1. 5 clears to opposite side. 1 takes hand-off from 3 and drives for basket.

CHART 32. 1 makes dribbling screen and hand-off to 2 and cuts down middle. 2 dribbles off screen set by 4 and, if defense switches, passes to 4 rolling out for basket.

CHART 33. This play is excellent when the defensive player on the offside guard (1) is turning his head to look at ball. 2 passes to 3 and cuts down middle. 4 breaks to foul line for pass from 3. 1 cuts for basket taking pass from 4 for shot.

CHART 34. A variation of the play diagrammed in the preceding chart. 2 passes to 3 and cuts down middle. 4 breaks to meet pass from 3. After making the pass, 3 cuts over the top of 4 for basket. 1 fakes his cut to the baseline and cuts to top of for a shot over the screen.

CHART 35. 2 passes to 1 who passes to 4. 2 cuts to a position beside 5 forming double-screen for cutter 3. 4 may feed 3 cutting for basket or 2 cutting back to free-throw line. This cut-back play is excellent against the switching man-for-man defense.

CHART 36. 2 passes to 1 and cuts to corner for a return pass. 4 sets screen for 5 who cuts toward ball. If defense switches, 4 rolls out under the basket for pass from 2.

CHART 37. With pivotmen spread wide, 2 passes to 3 who passes to 5. 2 and 3 set double-screen for 1 cutting down middle. 5 may feed either 1 or 2 who has cut back toward the ball after making screen for 1.

CHART 38. The three-man guard weave with pivotmen wide. The weave presents many free-lance type options to the players. Here, 2 passes to 3 and uses the give and go down the middle. 3 dribbles across court, passes to 1 and sets screen for 1. 1 drives off screen for basket.

CHART 39. Splitting the post off the three-man weave. 2 makes dribbling screen and hand-off to 1. 1 drives toward middle, passes to 3, and cuts down middle looking for pass. 3 drives into pivot area. 4 and 2 split off 3.

CHART 40. The five-man weave can be used effectively from this formation. This gives an opportunity for driving moves by all players and allows flash-pivoting by all players. Here, 2 passes to 3 and cuts down middle. 3 dribbles toward foul line, passes to 1 and cuts toward basket. 1 drives toward 5 setting a dribble screen for this pivot player who drives for basket.

CHART 41. Using the flash-pivot for a split-the-post situation. 2 passes to 3 and cuts down middle. 3 dribbles crosscourt and passes to 1. 3 cuts down middle but flashes back to a post position. 1 passes to 3 and joins 4 in a split-the-post play.

CHART 42. A double-screen play from the five-man weave. 2 passes to 3 and cuts down middle. 3 dribbles toward middle and makes pass to 1. 3 and 5 reverse direction to screen for 2. 2 takes pass from 1 for shot over screen.

CHART 43. 1 passes to 4 and sets screen for 2. 1 rolls out down middle looking for return pass. If 1 is not open, he continues on through to opposite side to set screen for 3 and 5. 4 passes to 2 who may pass to either 3 under the basket or 5 at the free-throw line.

CHART 44. A double-screen for a postman. 2 passes to 3 and moves at medium speed toward free-throw lane. 3 dribbles toward middle, passes to 1, and moves on across. 5 joins 2 in setting double-screen for 4. 1 passes to 4 for shot behind screen.

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