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We have already looked at procedure used to get into the Easy Opportunity Offensive
formation. The procedure for initiating this offense is as important as the pattern itself. You
would be wise to spend as much time learning how to get into the formation as you do in
practicing its cuts.

Take a look at the basic position of each player

after the guard cuts through (see diagram 54). In
this diagram, each player is numbered according
to his movement. Player #1 is the first cutter, #2
will cut second, #3 will cut third, etc. Other than
the fact we can trace them through the continuity,
this is the reason I chose these numbers.

Number 1, the first cutter, must use good timing

and creativity if he wants to get the jump lay-up.
He must deliver a good sharp air-pass to #4. If he
runs the route mechanically, he will never be open.
He must use fakes, a change of pace and/or
direction, good judgment and aggressiveness to get
the ball right at the basket. The first cutter has
several options that are determined by the
defensive player¶s reactions. As mentioned earlier,
this is called, ³reading the defense´. He can cut
along the baseline off the second cutter¶s screen
(see diagram 55).

In most cases, you will find this to be his most

useful cut; however, he can go over the top of #3,
rubbing his man off on the stationary high-post
player (see diagram 56).
Should he find the defense to be keeping one
defender under the goal to take all first cutters, he
can run a ³pocket´ maneuver to defeat this goal
tending action by the defense (see diagram 57).
Faking should be an automatic part of the first
cutter¶s movements.

Number 1, the first cutter, should arrive at a point

just in front of the basket, and momentarily, come
to a complete stop. He should raise both arms high
and wide, making himself a good passer¶s target,
and calling for the ball. If he doesn¶t immediately
receive the ball, he steps out of the three-second
lane (see diagram 58).

The baseline cut should be used when the defense

is switching. Whenever the defense switches, good
execution by #1, the first cutter and #2, his
screener will always get a good open shot in a high
percentage area. If the defender turns his head
toward the baseline and fighting the screen, #1
should go over the top to the elbow (pocket
position). This route should be taken occasionally
when the defense is using shifting tactics. The
³Pocket´ maneuver is the best way to defeat switching tactics (see diagram 59).

The first cutter simply shouts, ³pocket!´, and cuts

over the top to the elbow, the second cutter¶s
position. The screener opens-up to the ball, and
rolls to the basket, taking the first cutters normal
route. Back in 1964, when we started using this,
we thought it would bring a lay-up. It does
occasionally; however, the best shot is at the free
throw line and is taken by the first cutter. Please
notice how he gets a double screen for an almost
straight line cut and must be guarded by a defender
floating deep under the goal (see diagram 60).

The first cutter has one more option that you will
rarely use in a season. This option is needed when
the defender on #3 body-checks on the cut over the
top. In that case, the first cutter and #3 execute a
³pocket´ maneuver, letting #3 roll under the basket
and #1 go to the elbow, the second cutter¶s spot.
The second cutter rolls out to the high post, taking
#3¶s place (see diagram 61).

The screener should keep low, arms at his side,

taking a wide stance and making his screen as
wide as possible. He should keep this stance until
the first cutter has cleared by him, either down the
baseline or over the top. After the first cutter has
cleared, the second cutter should cut quickly and
close to #3 over the top to the elbow high post
position, looking for a jump shot. If he doesn¶t get
the ball, he becomes the subsequent #3 player on
that side of the free throw lane (see diagram 62).
The second cutter gets his shot at the elbow as the result of good close cutting on his part and
a good head hunting screen by #4 screening down the middle. The second cutter, if open,
should take his shot as soon as the ball hits his hand. If he is not open, he prepares for the
continuity. He does not have time to fake and certainly will not have room to drive to the
basket.

If #2 does not get the ball, he moves into position

on the side of the free throw lane as the high post
player (see diagram 63). He takes a position about
2 feet lower than the free throw line. He gets low
and wide so as to make a wide screen for the first
cutter coming back around on the continuity. He
faces the ball at all times.

On the continuity, he runs the #3 cut. #3¶s task is

simple as he doesn¶t have all the things to react to
as do the first two cutters. Number 3 waits until the
second cutter has cleared by him across the lane.
He then fakes toward the goal and cuts outside to
the perimeter as illustrated in diagram 63.

If the first cutter yells, ³pocket!´ as he cuts by, #3

will roll the basket fast (see diagram 64).

He then becomes the #2 player in the continuity;

however, do not use this maneuver frequently. Use
it only enough to make the fake toward the basket
more plausible so that his basic job is to break
himself free for the outlet pass from #5 (see
diagram 65).
 If his man floats off him, he should take a shot. If
his man overplays him, and he is still able to get
the ball, he should drive right down the middle of
the lane for a lay-up (see diagram 66).









Should the third cutter be overplayed and cannot

receive a pass, he then turns and sets a down
screen for #4 thus executing a high-low
interchange as illustrated in diagram 67.

As illustrated in diagram 68, after receiving the

ball, #3 becomes the #4 player in the system.
(This is an arbitrary matter, created by the need
for a numbering system for teaching purposes.) If
he cannot shoot, or drive, he faces the basket and
delivers the ball to #5 using an air-pass. The air
pass is used by #1 and #3 so that the two passes
from wing-to-point-to-wing is made quickly and
before the first cutter arrives at the basket. Bounce
passes are slower and more easily intercepted in
these two situations; however, bounce passes are
appropriate in other situations quite frequently.
After passing the ball to #5 at the wing, #4
automatically becomes the #5 player in the system.
To become the #5 player, he screens down the
middle of the lane and turns facing opposite the
ball and looks for the defender guarding the second
cutter (see diagram 69).

He should be a real head-hunter on the movement

if the second cutter is to be open with any
consistency. He steps out of the three-second lane
and gets ready to break sharply up and out to
receive the ball at the left wing (see diagram 70.

He should really break out. This pass can be

intercepted if he does not work to receive the ball
and time his movement to be there as the ball
moves from wing-to-point-to him. At this position
in the system, he becomes the first cutter, going
back to the other side of the court on the continuity
(see diagram 71).