Amanda Knapp
The short corner is an offensive basketball play that involves getting the ball into the short corner. This play can be used to create openings in the defense, especially in the high post area. It involves wing players flashing into the short corner, and the baseline runner sliding behind low defenders to the short corner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Considered one of the easiest shots in the game, but also one of the most difficult to perfect |
| Importance | Described as the most important shot in basketball |
| Efficiency | The second most efficient zone on the court |
| Scoring | Projected to increase a team's score by 3.7 points per game |
| Wins | Projected to increase a team's wins by 9.7 in an NBA season |
| Strategy | Offensive tactics include dribble penetration, passing, and specific player positioning |
| Defence | Can distort and stretch a defence, leading to relatively open shots |
| Player examples | P.J. Tucker, Patrick Patterson, Al-Farouq Aminu |
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What You'll Learn
Offense strategy: get the ball into the short corner
Offense strategy in basketball often involves getting the ball into the short corner. This can be achieved by utilising wing players who move into the short corner. One common strategy is for O5 to run the baseline from short corner to short corner, receiving the ball from the wing (O2 or O3) after it has been reversed once. Reversing the ball can force the defence to shift and lose track of the baseline runner (5).
Another option is for O2 to pass to O3, who then skip passes to O2, who can then pass to O5. O5 can then either pass to O4 for a lay-up, or to O3 in the opposite corner. If O5 passes back out to O2, they will usually be open for a 3-point shot, as the X1 defender will usually not drop down to the corner. When O5 has the ball in the short corner, the weak-side wing always cuts to the corner.
Additionally, wing players should wait until O5 is established in the short corner before reversing the ball, as this puts less pressure on the baseline defenders. Before taking an outside shot, the ball usually has to go inside to O4 or O5 for at least one touch, unless there is a "kick-out" pass for a 3-point shot. When O4 has the ball, the weak-side wing can either slide into the gap between the high and low defenders for a medium-range jump shot, or look for a skip pass out to the three-point arc if they are a good three-point shooter.
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Reversal pass: force the defense to shift
Reversal passes are an effective way to force the defense to shift and create scoring opportunities. This strategy involves passing the ball swiftly from one side of the court to the other, requiring precise and sharp passing to ensure seamless execution. The rapid movement of the ball across the court causes the defense to scramble and reposition, often leaving the weak side open and creating opportunities for offensive players to exploit.
To execute a successful reversal pass, it is crucial to have proper player movement and spacing. Off-ball players should continuously reposition themselves to create passing lanes and get open for easy passes. Cutting, setting screens, and fake movements are essential to mislead defenders and create defensive errors. Additionally, communication plays a vital role, with verbal and non-verbal cues helping teammates stay on the same page without alerting the opposition.
The timing of the reversal pass is also critical. Quick, precise passes keep the defense off-balance and increase the chances of finding open shot opportunities. However, rushing the passes or making hasty decisions can lead to turnovers and counterattacks. Players must find the right balance between speed and accuracy while considering defensive pressure and the positioning of their teammates.
One example of a reversal pass strategy is the "Reverse Action Offense," popularized by Hall of Fame Coach Pete Newell. This offense is initiated by a guard passing to a wing, followed by an outside cut towards the corner. This simple yet effective action relies on proper fundamentals, footwork, and an accurate reading of the defense. When executed well, it creates defensive problems that result in easy, open shot opportunities for the offense.
Another strategy involves using downscreens to shift the defense and then working the ball across the top of the set to create space for a well-timed backscreen leading to a lob pass. This play is particularly effective when the defense is caught off-guard, allowing for a backdoor scoring opportunity.
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Perimeter players: penetrate zone after a reversal pass
When playing against a 2-3 zone defence, perimeter players can use a variety of strategies to penetrate the zone after a reversal pass. Here are some tactics to consider:
Firstly, perimeter players should look to create space and exploit gaps in the defence. Quick passing and good spacing can help create openings for shots or dribble penetration. Pass fakes are also highly effective, as defenders in a zone are often anticipating their next move, and a pass fake can lead to open lanes.
Another strategy is to overload one side of the court. This takes advantage of the fact that in a 2-3 zone defence, each defender has a specific area to guard. By placing three offensive players on one side, the defence will struggle to adequately cover all the shooters while also preventing dribble penetration. This can lead to high-percentage shots.
Additionally, perimeter players can attack from behind the zone along the baseline. This can force defenders to either guard closely, creating openings elsewhere, or allow the offensive player to hide from the defence's sight. If the ball is caught in the short corner, options include shooting, passing to an open player at the free-throw line, or passing to a perimeter player.
Finally, increasing the tempo of the game can be beneficial when facing a 2-3 zone. This type of defence favours a slower game, so by speeding up the pace, the opposition may be forced to take quicker shots and there will be more opportunities for fast-break points.
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High post player: move to the ball-side elbow
The short corner in basketball is a strategy used by players to create scoring opportunities. It involves a wing post entry pass and a high-low option for a potential basket.
Now, moving on to the role of the high post player in this strategy:
The high post player is in an excellent position to make a pass to the opposite side or to a backdoor cutter. They can also look for a teammate posting up inside or spotted for a 3-pointer on the wing or in the corner. Being a good passer and finding open teammates are crucial here. The high post player should always aim to score themselves as well. This position provides a great opportunity to do so, as it's a simple free-throw shot or a chance to drive inside for a layup or pull-up jumper.
When receiving the pass at the foul line or elbows, the high post player should pivot and face the hoop. From this position, they can choose to shoot or pass to a baseline cutter or an open perimeter shooter.
In the context of the short corner strategy, if the short corner player is unavailable, the high post may be used. During the setup, the high post player should pay attention to their teammates' movements. For example, when player 2 dribbles towards the top, the high post player (player 5) should lift towards the ball-side elbow, which is the right-side high post elbow area. This movement allows them to receive the ball from player 2.
Additionally, the high post player should be aware of the defender's position. By sealing the defender, they can create space and improve their scoring chances. Overall, the high post player's ability to pass, shoot, and create opportunities for themselves and their teammates is crucial in the short corner strategy.
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Wing players: flash into the short corner
The short corner is a key area on a basketball court, located near the baseline and just outside the lane. It is a critical spot for both offensive and defensive strategies. For wing players, flashing into the short corner can create opportunities for scoring and open up the offence.
When the ball is driven baseline from the wing, the wing player can cut to the short corner, creating a scoring opportunity. This movement can confuse defenders and cause them to lose track of the offensive player. By flashing into the short corner, the wing player becomes a viable passing option and can receive the ball in a position to score. This strategy is particularly effective when combined with a "dunker spot" player, who can draw defenders away from the wing player, leaving them open in the short corner.
To execute this effectively, wing players should time their cuts and ensure they don't stop in the short corner for too long. If the defence is able to recover and close off the short corner, the offence can be disrupted. Therefore, wing players should constantly be moving, cutting, and filling open spaces to create passing lanes and scoring opportunities.
Additionally, by utilising the short corner, wing players can stretch the defence and create space for their teammates. This can open up driving lanes for other players or create open shots for perimeter players. The short corner is an important area to master for wing players as it adds a dynamic element to the offence and can create high-percentage scoring chances.
In summary, wing players flashing into the short corner can be a powerful weapon in a basketball team's offensive arsenal. It requires precise timing, constant movement, and coordination with teammates. By utilising this strategy, teams can create scoring opportunities, open up the offence, and keep the defence on their toes.
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Frequently asked questions
The shot corner, or "corner three", is the area in the corners between the three-point arc and the sideline. It is considered one of the easiest shots in the game, but also one of the most important.
The shot corner is considered an easy shot because it is a relatively open shot. The geometry of the basketball court makes it so. The defender of the offensive player that moves to the corner usually requires help from another player to rotate and close out, leaving the shot relatively undefended.
A quick pass to the corner forces a longer "close out" from the defence, creating a relatively open shot. The effectiveness of passing to create an opportunity to shoot from the corner is confirmed by the analysis that 95% of shots from this area are "assisted", meaning they are taken after receiving a pass.
The introduction of the three-point shot has changed how basketball is played, placing greater emphasis on shooting from distance. The corner three is the second most efficient zone on the court. If a team could replace 10 mid-range jumpers with 10 corner three attempts, they would be projected to score an additional 3.7 points per game.
