How to Run the One Four Offense in Basketball

The one four offense is a very good offense to run if a team has agile post players who are good passers. When you run the one four offense in basketball your players should be ready to take advantage of all of the open space along the baseline and in the lane.

Instructions

    • 1

      Make a line at the free throw line. To run the one four offense your point guard should have the ball in the middle of the court outside the three point arc. The other players should line up along the free throw line. The shooting guard will line up on the right wing, one post player on the right elbow, the other post player on the left elbow and the small forward on the left wing. Thus you have the point guard, the one, and the other players in a line across the court, the four.

    • 2

      Enter the ball to one of the post players. This will trigger the offense. The wing player on the ball side should cut to the basket and the weak side post player should set a back pick for the other wing player. If one of the wing players is able to break free of his defender he will have an easy lay up in just two passes. The one four offense tries to take advantage of all the open area in front of the basket through back door cuts and quick passes.

    • 3

      Criss cross and get back to the wings. Both wing players can continue their motion to the opposite wing where they can replace each other. Next the weak side post player can flash to the basket and look for a pass from the post man with the ball.

    • 4

      Kick the ball back to the point guard and run something else. The one four offense is perfect for setting back screens. The ball can be returned to the point guard and any player can back screen for any other player. One post player can set a cross screen for the other and then they can take turns cutting to the basket. As soon as any pass is entered to any of the four players on the free throw line any two other players can make a back door cut or back screen.