Chapter - 06

The Shuffle Defense

Positioning  of  players | Qualifications of players | The shuffle pattern and variations

Originated by Bruce Drake while at the University of Oklahoma, the Shuffle Offense is increasing in popularity over the nation. Its growth has been greatly influenced by the remarkable success enjoyed by Joel Eaves and his Auburn University team. Coach Eaves, one of the finest coaches and gentlemen in the game today, adopted the offense several seasons ago and expanded its potentialities. His 1960 Auburn team, with the tallest player standing 6 feet 3 inches, won the Southeastern Conference championship, an astonishing feat in this present era of skyscraping players. The Shuffle unquestionably is due a large portion of the credit.

This offense eliminates one of the distinct disadvantages of set plays— that of having to set up after the play has failed to score. The Shuffle begins with an overload to one side of the floor and, after its basic options have been run, players are aligned in an overload on the opposite side of the court with no necessity of having to "set up" again.

The offense is a continuity pattern. All players must learn to play each position though it can be adapted to keep taller players in the spots nearer the basket. It is an ideal offense for the team with balanced height and good ball-handling.

Positioning of Players

The basic Shuffle set-up is diagrammed by Chart 61. Initially, numbers 2 and 3 will be the guards, 1 and 4 the forwards, and 5 the center though this is not always true and will definitely change as the pattern progresses.

CHART 61. Basic initial positions for the Shuffle Offense. The overload may be set on either side of the floor.

Number 1 is the key "feeder" and is stationed along the lane close to the basket. Number 2 is about a yard back of the top of the circle while number 3 sets up one step ahead of number 2 and two yards from the sideline. Number 4 plays near the sideline and about two yards from the baseline. Number 5 sets up one yard outside the free-throw line.

Qualifications of Players

Since all players play each position, good ball-handling ability is required of all players. Each should be able to shoot from outside or the defense will sag back and jam the middle area. All players must receive a great deal of work on cutting techniques. In initiating the pattern, it is best to place the team's best feeder at the number 1 spot and the best cutter at the number 3 spot. If the center can shoot from outside, he can play the number 5 spot. If not, it is best to allow him to play the number 4 spot and cut into the pivot area.

The Shuffle Pattern and Variations

Chart 62 diagrams the basic shuffle pattern while Charts 63 through 74 illustrate some of the many other potential plays that may be used. For a more detailed discussion of the Shuffle, the reader is referred to the excellent book by Coach Eaves of Auburn, Basketball's Shuffle Offense (Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N. J., 1960).

CHART 62. Basic Shuffle pattern. As 2 passes to 1, 3 cuts off screen set by 5. This is the first option. 4 delays until 3 has cut by 5, then cuts along the baseline and into the pivot area. This is the second option. 2 sets screen for 5 who cuts to the top of the circle for the third option.

CHART 63. The continuity. Circles indicate original positions while squares indicate new positions after the three options have been run without a score. 3 cuts and becomes the new 4 man. 4 becomes the new 5 man, 5 becomes 2, 2 becomes 1, and 1 becomes 3.

CHART 64. The 3 man has three cutting paths in executing the first option. He may cut to either side of the post man 5 or over the top of 1. In all cases he will become the new number 4 man if he does not get the ball.

CHART 65. Counter for a switching defense. If the defensive player on 5 is switching to the first cutter, 3, 5 should follow 3 for a possible scoring pass.

CHART 66. Continuity when 5 follows 3. 5 becomes new 5 man on opposite side. 2 sets screen for 4 and 4 becomes new 2 man. Other positions are same as in basic pattern with 1 becoming 3, 2 becoming 1, and 3 becoming 4.

CHART 67. Some Shuffle teams like to screen for the second cutter 4. After 3 cuts by 5, 5 slides down and sets screen for 4 who cuts off screen into the pivot area. 2 then sets screen for 5 coming out for the third option. The continuity is the same as in the basic pattern.

CHART 68. A double-screen play that is very effective when defensive player guarding 4 is sagging into the lane. 2 fakes pass to 1 while 3 is cutting to a position beside 5. 4 fakes baseline cut and comes out for shot behind double-screen.

CHART 69. Dribble-screen or weaving maneuvers may be used by 2 and 3 in setting up the offense and can add freelance offerings that will make the Shuffle more effective. Here, 3 sets dribble-screen for 2 and, instead of passing to 1, makes the direct pass to 2 who has become the first cutter.

CHART 70. Since the ball must go to the 1 man to initiate the basic offense, many defenses try to overplay the 1 man to prevent him from receiving the ball. When such a defensive maneuver is faced, 1 may cut across lane and set screen for 5 who will cut out to become the new 1 man. 1 becomes new 5 man and sets screen for first cutter 3.

CHART 71. The defensive player guarding 2 will often anticipate 2's screen for 5 and will overplay toward 5. When this happens, 2 and 1 may use a variety of 2 on 2 plays. 2 passes to 1 and cuts outside. 1 may pass to 2 for a shot over or a drive. 1 may fake pass to 2 and roll down middle. 3 must cut out for defensive balance.

CHART 72. The offense must have plays to the strong side to be successful. A variety of various single pivot plays may be used. The revolving maneuver shown here is very effective. 3 passes to 4 and cuts as shown. 4 may return pass to 3, drive the baseline or drive off 5. He may return the ball to the new number 3 man. 2 has cut to become the new 3 man while 1 becomes new 2 man and 3 becomes 1. If the ball is passed back to the new 3 man, the regular shuffle pattern may be run.

CHART 73. Strong side play. 3 passes to 4 and cuts through. 4 feeds 5. 4 and 2 split the post with 4 cutting first. 2 receives pass from 5 for shot. 1 hustles out for defensive balance.

CHART 74. Strong side play. 3 passes to 4 and cuts over top of 5. 5 sets screen for 4 who drives toward free-throw line. 5 rolls out for basket. If defense switches, 4 will return pass to 5 for shot.

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