Whether you’re coaching basketball as a youth coach or at the college level, backdoor plays work. When defenses are pressuring you, one of the easiest ways to get a bucket is by running a set for a backdoor. This typically involves clearing out a side and sending a player backdoor to the hoop.
For that reason, we put together some of our favorite backdoor plays that you can add to your arsenal.
If you want more basketball plays to add to your arsenal, click here.
Backdoor Plays
USC: Big to Guard
This play starts with the 1 & 2 starting high on the perimeter. The 4 and 5 start on the blocks, and the 3 starts in the opposite corner of the ball.
The 3 comes off of a double baseline screens from the 4 & 5.
As soon as the 3 comes off of the screen from the 4, the 4 flashes to the high post and receives a pass from the 1.
On the 4’s catch, the 2 immediately backdoors and receives a pass from the 4 for the layup.
Virginia: Big to Guard
The play starts with the 4 & 5 guys on the blocks, the 3 in the high post, the 2 on the right wing, and the 1 up top.
The action starts with the 2 cutting across the court to the left wing, the 3 cutting ut to the right wing, and the 4 cutting to the high post.
The 1 passes to the 4 in the high post, and the 2 immediately cuts backdoor as the 4 catches it.
Indiana: Big to Guard
This backdoor play starts in a 1-4 high set, with the bigs on the elbows and the guards on the wings.
The action starts with the 1 throwing to the 2 and starting to cut through opposite.
As the 1 is making his cut through, the 2 throws the ball in the high post to the 4. The 5 and the 3 set double screens for the 1 as a decoy action.
The 4 will take a dribble to act like he’s passing to the 1 for a three-pointer, and then reverse pivot and throw the backdoor to the 2.
Xavier: Guard to Guard
This play’s alignment starts with a double stack at the elbows. Both guards start on the right elbow and both bigs start on the left elbow.
The action starts with 1 dribbling to his right. This triggers the 3 man to clear through to the left off of a double screen from the 4 and 5.
The 1 cross over and starts heading left.
The 1 will stop lane-line extended on the left side as the 3 pops out to the wing. The 1 will pass fake and then hit the wing backdoor for a layup.
UTEP: Guard to Big
The play starts with a three out, two in alignment. The guards are outside and the bigs are in.
The action starts with a dribble handoff from the 1 to the 2.
As the 2 dribbles to the left half of the court, he will stop and pivot. The 5 will make a cut up to the elbow, then go backdoor.
