Count me among the many coaches who emphasizes passing the ball ahead in transition offense. When attempting to beat the defense down the floor, the ball travels faster via the pass than the dribble.

When the transition offense segues to halfcourt offense, what do we do after the hit ahead to the wing if no fast break opportunity is available?

This article details some Five-Out Early Offense options off the hit ahead to the wing.

Thru + Drag

First, let’s look at the primary break (Fig. 1 below).

The assumption is Player 5 rebounded and outlets to Player 1. Players 2, 3 and 4 are finding with and depth while running the floor hugging the sideline. If their paths continued, the offensive players would “show up” in a five-out alignment.

Fig. 2 – Frame 1: Player 1 passes ahead to 2 then cuts THRU to the far corner. Frame 2: Player 5 sets the side DRAG ball screen for Player 2

At some point, perhaps a long pass from the back court to 2 running ahead or a bit later as shown in Frame 1 of Fig. 2 above, Player 1 hits ahead to the wing (Player 2).

THRU = Player 1 cutting through to the far corner.

DRAG = The trail player (Player 5 above) coming from the middle of the floor to set a side drag ball screen for Player 2.

Ideally, we’d like the offense to be at this side drag ball screen within the first six seconds of the possession.

21 Series

For some addition options stemming from the hit ahead to the wing, we’ll turn to an NBA early offense staple – 21 Series.

21 Chase

Some coaches want to keep Player 1 in the action rather than cutting them “thru” to the far corner. 21 Series accomplishes this. We’ll look at 21 Chase first (Fig. 3 below).

In Frame 1, Player 1 passes ahead to 2 then in Frame 2 they CHASE their pass receiving the hand-back from Player 2.

Player 1 attempts to “outrun their pass” sprinting into the hand-back. If the opportunity is there, drive it to the rim. Player 3 is in the “headlights” of the drive for a potential drift pass.

The progression of 21 Chase is diagrammed in Fig. 4 above. Player 1 takes the hand-back and pulls back keeping their dribble with no opportunity to penetrate. Player 5 flare screens for Player 2 then continues into a deep side ball screen for Player 1.

Again, we’d like to hit ahead, chase, flare and side ball screen within the first six to eight seconds of the possession.

21 Keep

Stemming from the wing entry and from 21 Chase is 21 Keep. It opens just the same with the ball handler hitting ahead to the wing then chasing their pass. But in “keep” the wing does not hand it back.

In Fig. 5 above, Player 1 passes ahead to Player 2 then chases their pass. Instead of handing it back to Player 1, Player 2 keeps it. Player 1 may clear to the far side as shown in Frame 2 or fill the empty corner below Player 2. Player 5 comes from the middle and sets the side ball screen for Player 2.

21 Wedge

Our final option from the wing hit ahead is 21 Wedge.

Again, opens the same with the pass up the rail to the wing, but instead of chasing as in CHASE and KEEP, the passer, Player 1, sets a “wedge screen” for the trailer, Player 5. See Fig. 6 below.

Player 1 passes ahead to Player 2 (Frame 1). They then set the wedge screen for Player 5. The screener may slip as shown in Frame 2 or pop to the top and Player 4 would remain on sideline. Player 5, who was just screened for, gets into the side ball screen with Player 2. Screener for the ball screener is a way to get Player 5 to “arrive alone” at the ball screen.

The goal of transition offense is to generate a numbers advantage and fast break points by passing ahead. We get to offense before they get to defense.

But in times where the offense passes ahead and the defense is back, these option can help you flow into early offense (first six to eight seconds) without needing a call or reorganizing.