The "SPREAD SET," or "5 OUT," is excellent on a big floor to take advantage of matchups, primarily at the guard position. For me, I used what I called, "Spread," to find matchups for one of my three guards, either at the top of the key, or at each wing. To create movement and/or to take advantage of a team playing tight man to man, I went to "Spread Wing." With "Spread Wing," the guard at the top of the key, passed to either guard at the wing. That guard passes, then screens away from the ball, setting the screen "low" or underneath the defender. The goal is to invite the defensive player who is defending the screen to play it over the top, or follow the offensive player that they are guarding. When this happens, the guard who is receiving the screen, cuts hard to the foul line, aiming between the middle of the foul line and inside the farthest elbow. A quick, sharp pass is the key to the conversation. If the defenders guarding my 4 and 5 (power forward and center) stay on their man and do not provide help, we should have an open look at the basket. The first clip is from March 2002, the second clip is from December 2014.
The two most important factors to remember when coaching young players: Consistency and Simplicity
March 2002
