The shape
Four players spread around the perimeter, two in the slots at the top and two on the wings, all behind the arc, with one post working inside between the low blocks and the short corner. Movement follows motion rules: pass and cut or screen away, fill the empty spot, drive a gap when the defender is high, kick out when the help arrives. The post follows the ball from block to block, with the lane otherwise empty.
Roles
- The two guards in the slots. Start the offence with a pass or a drive into a gap, cut to the basket or screen away after passing, then fill behind as the reversal route.
- The two wings. Look to the post first, then drive the gap, then reverse; drift to the corner when the ball is driven toward them and lift to the slot when it goes away.
- The post (usually the Centre). Posts up on the ball side with a wide base, seals on the entry, chases every drive with an offensive rebound, and slides to the short corner when a guard drives.
Strengths
- Every perimeter player learns to pass, cut, drive and shoot.
- Driving lanes are wide because only one player is inside.
- Keeps a post threat for teams with one capable big.
- The same principles apply against zone or man-to-man.
Weaknesses
- Without clear rules it becomes four players standing still.
- Relies on perimeter players making good drive and kick decisions.
- The post gets fewer touches than in a 1-2-2 and can switch off.
- A sagging defence invites long contested shots.
When to use it
A good base offence for under-12s through to under-16s, because it develops every player and still gives your tall one a job. Choose it over 5-out when one player is noticeably taller or a good finisher inside, and over 1-2-2 when your perimeter players can handle the ball well enough to drive. Against a packed zone, keep the post in the short corner and reverse the ball until a gap opens.
What to coach in training
- 4v4 perimeter motion with no post and the rule that you must pass and cut or pass and screen away, adding the post once players move without the ball automatically.
- 3v3 drive and kick on one side: a guard drives a gap, the help steps in, the kick finds the drifting wing or the post sliding to the short corner.
- 5v5 half court with a touch count: at least three passes and one post touch before a shot.
Works well against
It copes with a 2-3 zone through the short-corner post and skip passes to the weak-side wing, and with man-to-man through the driving lanes an empty key offers. It struggles against a box-and-one if the post is the star, and against a disciplined man-to-man that packs the paint and closes out well.
