Baseline Out of Bounds: The 'Stack & Curl' Play

1. Overview

The 'Stack & Curl' is a highly effective Baseline Out of Bounds (BLOB) play designed to punish defenses that overplay the passing lanes or lose focus on the weak side. Its primary objective is to generate a high-percentage look right at the rim through a decisive back-screen and a hard curl cut. If the defense collapses to take away the primary option, the play seamlessly transitions into secondary scoring opportunities on the perimeter, ensuring you always have a viable option to inbound the ball safely and effectively.

Use this play when you need a quick bucket late in the shot clock, or when you notice the opposing team's interior defense is susceptible to screening actions. It requires precise timing, solid screening fundamentals, and a point guard (or designated inbounder) who can read the defense and deliver a pinpoint pass under pressure.

2. Setup

Court Area: Baseline under the basket (offensive half-court).

Equipment Needed: 1 Basketball, half-court (FIBA dimensions: 28m x 15m).

Player Positions:

Position	Player	Starting Location
1 — Point Guard (Inbounder)	Best decision-maker	Out of bounds, directly under the basket on the baseline
2 — Shooting Guard	Floor spacer / safety valve	Weak-side wing, near the three-point line
3 — Small Forward	Corner spacer	Deep in the weak-side corner, on the three-point line
4 — Power Forward	Primary cutter	Strong-side high post (elbow, free throw line extended)
5 — Centre	Primary screener	Strong-side low post (block)

Diagram 1: Initial setup positions. Player 1 inbounds from the baseline. Players 4 and 5 are stacked on the strong-side, with 2 and 3 spacing the weak side.

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Phase 1: The Setup and Screen

Step 1 — Initiation: Player 1 slaps the basketball to signal the start of the play. All four on-court players must be stationary and in their designated spots before the signal. The 5-second inbound clock begins the moment the referee hands Player 1 the ball.

Step 2 — The Back-Screen: Immediately upon the signal, Player 5 steps up from the low block to set a firm, legal back-screen on Player 4's defender (X4). The angle of the screen is critical: Player 5's back should face the baseline, forcing X4 to navigate over the top or get caught underneath. Player 5 must be completely stationary before contact.

Phase 2: The Cut and Read

Step 3 — The Curl Cut: Player 4 waits a full beat for the screen to be set, then explodes off Player 5's shoulder, curling tightly around the screen and cutting hard toward the basket. The cut should be no more than 1–2 metres from the lane line. Player 4 must be ready to catch and finish in one fluid motion.

Step 4 — The Inbound Pass (Primary Option): Player 1 reads the defence. If Player 4 has separation on the curl cut, Player 1 delivers a crisp, accurate bounce pass or a direct chest pass leading Player 4 to the rim for a layup or close-range finish. The pass should arrive at chest-to-waist height, ahead of the cutter.

Diagram 2: Movement phase. Player 5 sets the back-screen; Player 4 curls hard to the basket (primary option). Player 5 rolls to the rim (secondary option). Players 2 and 3 space the floor.

Phase 3: Secondary Options

Step 5 — The Roll (Secondary Option A): After setting the screen, Player 5 immediately pivots and rolls hard to the basket. If the defence switches the screen (X5 takes Player 4's route), Player 5 will have a mismatch or an open roll to the rim. Player 1 looks to deliver a lob or a direct pass to Player 5 for a close-range finish.

Step 6 — Corner and Safety Valve (Secondary Options B & C): While the main action unfolds, Player 3 stays anchored in the weak-side corner, stretching the defence and providing a skip-pass option if the paint is congested. Player 2 drifts toward the top of the key to serve as the safety valve — a guaranteed open pass if the primary and secondary options are both covered. If the ball goes to Player 2, the team resets immediately into their regular half-court offence.

Diagram 3: Secondary options. Option A — pass to Player 5 rolling to the rim. Option B — skip pass to Player 3 in the corner. Option C — safety valve to Player 2 at the top of the key.

4. Key Coaching Points

1. Screening Angle and Legality: Emphasise to Player 5 the importance of a wide base, stationary feet, and correct body angle on the back-screen. An illegal moving screen will negate the entire play and concede possession.
2. Patience on the Cut: Player 4 must wait for the screen to be fully set before cutting. Leaving even half a second early allows the defender to slip the screen and stay attached.
3. Inbounder's Vision: Player 1 must not predetermine the pass. They need to read the defence's reaction to the screen and deliver the ball to the open player. A convincing look-away or pump-fake toward Player 2 can open up the primary option.
4. Explosive First Step: Players 4 and 5 must cut with maximum intent. A half-hearted cut is easy to defend. The first step off the screen should be explosive and decisive.
5. Strong Finishes Under Pressure: Players 4 and 5 must expect contact at the rim and focus on finishing strong through the defence. Practise finishing with both hands and through contact in training.

5. Common Mistakes

Mistake	What It Looks Like	How to Correct It
Weak or Moving Screen	Player 5 shuffles feet or leans into the defender, drawing an offensive foul	Drill stationary screening technique in isolation; use a cone as a reference point
Cutting Too Early	Player 4 leaves before Player 5 is set, allowing the defender to stay attached	Use a verbal or visual signal (e.g., Player 5 claps) to cue the cut
Telegraphing the Pass	Player 1 stares at Player 4, allowing the defence to anticipate and intercept	Practise looking off defenders with eyes and head fakes before delivering the pass
Poor Floor Spacing	Players 2 and 3 drift toward the paint, clogging the lane and bringing defenders into the passing lanes	Reinforce spacing rules: 2 stays on the three-point line, 3 stays in the corner
Slow Reaction on the Roll	Player 5 hesitates after setting the screen instead of rolling immediately	Teach the "screen and roll" as one continuous action; no pause between the two

6. Variations & Progressions

Variation 1 — The 'Pop': Instead of rolling to the basket, Player 5 'pops' out to the mid-range or three-point line after setting the screen. This is highly effective if Player 5 is a capable shooter and the defence is packing the paint to stop the curl cut. The mismatch created by a switch (a guard on Player 5 at the elbow) can be devastating.

Variation 2 — The 'Slip': If the defence starts aggressively anticipating the back-screen and jumping the route, Player 5 can 'slip' the screen — cutting to the basket before making contact — catching the defence completely off guard. This is a great counter once the defence has seen the standard play two or three times.

Progression — DHO Reset: If the ball is inbounded safely to Player 2 at the top of the key, immediately flow into a Dribble Handoff (DHO) action with Player 3 coming out of the weak-side corner. This keeps the defence scrambling and prevents them from simply resetting.

7. Age Adaptations

Under 10s / Under 12s: Focus entirely on the fundamentals of the inbound pass and the V-cut. Remove the screen initially; simply have Player 4 make a sharp V-cut to get open. Ensure all players understand the 5-second inbound rule and can execute a clean, two-handed pass.

Under 14s / Under 16s: Introduce the back-screen and emphasise timing and angles. Teach the inbounder to read the defence and look for the secondary option (the roll) if the primary cut is covered. Introduce the corner spacing role for Player 3.

Open / Advanced: Execute the play at full speed with defensive pressure. Incorporate the 'Pop' and 'Slip' variations based on live defensive reads. The inbounder must be capable of making complex reads and delivering the ball through tight windows within the 5-second clock.