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Splits Action

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Mad Desperado
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12 views

Splits Action

vsvadua

Uploaded by

Mad Desperado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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One of the most popular actions in the recent years especially in the NBA and FIBA is what’s

called splits action. This action is basically a 2 man game by 2 players without the ball and
generally on the same side of the floor as the ball. It was made extremely popular with Steph
Curry and Klay Thompson at Golden State but was used many years before this. The reason
why it wasn’t more popular before was due to needing multiple scorers with a high IQ that can
shoot the ball well while also needing a good passing big man. Nowadays however it is one of
the most popular actions that is trickling down to the lower levels and if you can’t execute or
defend the splits action then you will be in for a massive headache and short career. In this
article we will break down the actions many different set ups and then show examples using
video to help you better understand the variations. Lastly we will give some specific teaching
points so that you can begin utilizing this action straight away.

While there are many variations to the action there are a few basic steps or reads that can give
counters to each situation.

Down Screen, pop back

The 1 will set a down screen for the 2.

The 2 will use the screen and cut to the basket.

The 1 will pop back to the ball.


Down Screen, basket cut

The 1 will set a down screen for the 2.

The 2 will cut directly to the ball.

The 1 will then slip to the basket.

Back screen, pop


The 2 will set a back screen (up screen) for the 1.

1 will take the screen and cut to the basket.

2 will then lead back to the ball.

Back screen, basket cut


The 2 will set a back screen for the 1.

The 1 will flare or curl back to the ball.

The 2 will then slip to the basket.

Brush Screen
The brush screen (ghost screen) is just both players cutting past each other at the same time
while interrupting the defenders and reading the coverage.

While there are far more cuts and reads to be made these are the general reads that every
player should learn if they hope to play at any level of basketball nowadays. When coaching
players in the beginning I give the simple rule of “One to the basket, one to the ball.” Getting the
players to communicate and decide who will cut and who will pop will get the players to begin
understanding the spacing and eventually reacting to the defense.

Another common theme you will find when trying to teach this is that players will end up
developing habits and tendencies. I call this “Don’t be a robot.” To counteract this as a coach
you can give players specific rules if you notice they are favoring one read over the other. I
prefer letting players make mistakes and make the decisions themselves before I step in and
give them overly specific rules. Letting them explore or trial and errors different reads will allow
them to learn what works and what doesn’t.

How to drill (15 to 20 minutes):

One of my favorite ways to drill the splits action is to have one basket (If you have a full court
even better) and have 3 players in a group. In the example below we will assume you have a
team with one basket. Each group will have one half of the court to operate from and each
group will go at opposite times. If you have more players then you can utilize lines rather than
groups of 3.

While teaching you can have each group run one of the options for a few minutes all while
rotating spots to get an understanding of each position. Then allow some time for players to
communicate and decide on their own reads and options.

Once we have covered each option and the drill is running smoothly we will then have the
groups defend each other for 3 possessions in a row. The reason I like doing 3 possessions in a
row is for the players to make mistakes and to try to fix those reads the next time before having
to rotate. Then towards the end of the drill I will have them play make it take it to reward the
competitiveness.

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