How to Run a Pick and Pop Play in Basketball

Give the ball to a perimeter play with good ball handling ability. This player on your team is usually your point guard. His job is to initiate the play. You'll want him anywhere between the free throw line and a couple feet outside the three-point line. The key is to be far enough away from the basket to have room to operate the play.

Select a player who is going to be used to set a pick. Since this is a pick and pop play, this player needs to have the ability to knock down an outside shot. However, you'll want the player to be big enough to set a solid pick. This player will typically be either your small forward or your power forward.

Begin the action in which a pick is set to free up the ball handler. This action should look identical to a pick and roll play. You don't want your opponent to figure out it's a pick and pop instead of a pick and roll. If your opponent doesn't know a pick and pop play is coming, it's a very difficult play to defend.

Instruct the player who set the pick to fade to the perimeter rather than rolling to the basket. In a pick and roll, the player who sets the pick will then roll to the basket. In a pick and pop play, the player who sets the pick will instead fade to a spot on the perimeter in which they are able to knock down a jumper. That could be just outside the free throw line or beyond the three-point line.

Command the ball handler to either take the ball to the basket to finish at the rim or to pass it to the player who set the pick for a jump shot. On a pick and pop play, those are the two best options after the pick has been set.