Team Strategies & Systems
High school basketball success comes from simple, teachable systems that every player can run.
Learn the most common offensive, defensive, and special-situation strategies used across successful high-school programs.
High-school offenses are built on spacing, timing, cutting, ball movement, and simple reads that anyone can learn.
5-Out Motion places all five players around the three-point line. It is one of the most common high-school offenses because it teaches spacing, cutting, driving lanes, and decision-making. Players read defenders and react with basket cuts, dribble penetration, or swing passes. It is easy to learn, hard to guard, and fits teams of all sizes.
4-Out 1-In is one of the most common high-school offenses because it balances strong perimeter spacing with a dedicated interior presence. The four perimeter players create driving lanes, attack closeouts, and swing the ball, while the inside player posts, screens, or seals for high-percentage shots. Teams use this system to take advantage of a strong big or to create open lanes for guards.
The Flex (and its variation, the Swing) is a structured, pattern-based offense used widely in high-school programs because it teaches cutting, screening, timing, and discipline. Players learn how to set solid screens, make sharp baseline cuts, and read defensive overplays. The predictable pattern helps young teams learn spacing and movement, while still allowing coaches to add variations and counters.
The Princeton offense is popular in high schools because it teaches spacing, ball movement, and reading defenders without relying on elite athleticism. It uses backdoor cuts when defenders overplay, handoffs to create flow, and “point” entries that allow any player to start the offense. This system helps players learn patience, timing, and how to punish aggressive defenses.
The Spread Ball Screen offense spaces all players around the perimeter while using a high ball screen to force the defense into tough decisions. High school teams love this system because it simplifies reads—attack downhill, hit the roll, or kick to shooters. It works especially well for teams with one strong ball handler and bigs who can screen and sprint to the rim.
Triangle Offense concepts are used in many high-school programs to teach spacing, cutting, and playing off the post. Teams don’t usually run the full NBA version—rather, they use simplified actions like post entries, corner spacing, and two-player game options. It helps players learn how to read defenders and how to play out of strong-side and weak-side actions.
Dribble-Drive Motion is built around attacking the paint off the dribble and forcing the defense to collapse. High-school coaches like this system because it empowers guards to drive, kick to shooters, or dump the ball to a cutter. Instead of running set plays, players learn to read help defenders, keep the floor spaced, and maintain constant pressure on the rim.
Spain Pick-and-Roll (also called Stack Action) adds a back screen to the traditional ball screen. High school teams use simplified versions of Spain PNR because it creates confusion for defenses: defenders must decide whether to help on the roll, stay with the shooter, or switch the back screen. It is a great system for teams with one strong ball handler and shooters who understand spacing.
These plays are easy to install, easy to execute, and give high-school teams reliable scoring options.
The Horns set is one of the most widely used plays in high school basketball because it creates multiple quick scoring options from a simple alignment. Two bigs start at the elbows while two guards spot up in the corners. From there you can run ball screens, handoffs, cuts, or post entries, making it easy to adapt for any roster. Horns teaches players how to read screens and space correctly.
The Box Set is extremely common in high school because it provides quick scoring actions from a simple formation. Two players start on the low blocks and two on the elbows, forming a “box.” From this shape, coaches can run screens for shooters, post-up options, and slips or curls. Box sets are easy to install and give younger teams clear, well-structured scoring opportunities.
Floppy Action is one of the most common plays used at the high-school level to free shooters. The action starts with the shooter under the basket while two screeners set stagger or single screens on both sides. The shooter reads the defense and chooses which direction to curl, fade, or pop. This system teaches players how to set solid screens, how to read defensive chases, and how to get open without the ball.
Elevator screens (also called “gates”) are widely used by high-school teams to create open shots for good shooters. Two screeners stand shoulder-to-shoulder, leaving a small gap. The shooter sprints through the gap and both screeners close the “doors,” blocking the trailing defender. Because it’s easy to teach and punishes defenders who chase, many HS programs use this play out of Box, Horns, and baseline inbound sets.
Stagger screens use two consecutive screeners to free a shooter or cutter. High-school teams rely on this action because it works well against man-to-man defenses and doesn’t require elite size or speed. The shooter reads the defenders and chooses to curl, straight cut, or fade. Staggers teach timing, communication, and how to create separation without the ball.
Spain PNR can also be run as a simple quick-hitter play rather than a full offensive system. In this high-school version, the point guard receives a high ball screen while a second offensive player sets a back screen on the roll man’s defender. This forces the defense to choose between staying with the shooter, helping on the roll, or switching. It’s a fast, effective way to create scoring opportunities for guards and rollers.
Iverson Cuts are used at the high-school level to free a guard or shooter at the top of the key. The action begins with two screeners positioned at the elbows while the cutter sprints across the lane from wing to wing. This forces the defender to fight through two screens, often creating an advantage catch at the top. Iverson Cuts teach proper cutting angles, timing, and how to read defensive trails.
UCLA Cuts start with the point guard passing to the wing and then cutting off a high post screen toward the basket. High-school teams use this action because it creates strong scoring chances at the rim, teaches screening angles, and flows easily into motion offense. It works especially well for teams with guards who finish well or with bigs who set solid screens.
High-school defenses rely on communication, effort, rotations, and simple principles that every player can learn.
Man-to-man defense is the foundation for most high-school programs because it teaches accountability, positioning, and how to guard both the ball and your space. Players learn to stay in a stance, control driving angles, communicate through screens, and rotate when teammates need help. This system helps young defenders understand responsibility and team concepts at the same time.
The 2-3 Zone is one of the most widely used defenses in high school because it protects the paint and helps teams without strong individual defenders stay competitive. Players guard an area rather than a specific opponent, focusing on clogging driving lanes, contesting shots, and forcing outside attempts. It teaches communication, shifting with the ball, and rotating on penetration.
The 3-2 Zone is used in high school to apply stronger pressure on the perimeter while still protecting the paint. Three defenders guard the arc, disrupting shooters and ball movement, while two defenders stay near the basket to contest drives and rebound. It works especially well against teams with strong shooters or teams that rely heavily on passing around the perimeter.
The 1-3-1 Zone is popular at the high-school level because it creates chaos, traps, and forces opponents into rushed decisions. With one defender up top, three across the middle, and one protecting the baseline, this defense takes away passing lanes and pressures ball handlers. However, it requires active hands, nonstop hustle, and strong rotation timing to be effective.
The Box-and-1 is a great high-school strategy for shutting down an opponent’s best scorer. Four players play a box zone around the paint while one defender plays tight man-to-man (“face guard”) on the star player. This defense forces other players to beat you and works especially well against teams with one dominant guard. It teaches discipline, communication, and how to help while maintaining pressure.
The Triangle-and-2 is an effective high-school junk defense used to neutralize two strong scorers. Three defenders play a compact triangle zone protecting the paint, while two defenders play tight man-to-man on the opponent’s top perimeter threats. This system forces weaker players to make plays and takes teams out of their normal offensive rhythm.
Matchup Zone is a hybrid defense used in high schools that looks like a zone but behaves like man-to-man. Players guard areas but also match up with players who enter their zone, creating confusion for offenses that expect a traditional zone. This defense works well for teams that want the benefits of a zone (paint protection, rebounding) while still applying selective pressure on key players.
Full-court presses are used by many high-school teams to speed up the game, force turnovers, and disrupt the opponent’s rhythm. Players apply pressure immediately after the inbound, trapping sideline catches and forcing ball-handlers into tough decisions. Pressing teaches hustle, anticipation, communication, and how to rotate quickly when the ball moves.
High-school games are often decided by dead balls, late-clock plays, and how quickly players react under pressure.
Special situations include end-of-game plays, sideline and baseline inbound actions, last-second clocks, and reacting to traps or pressure. High-school teams that practice these scenarios consistently gain a big advantage because they stay calm when the game becomes chaotic. Players learn the importance of spacing, quick decisions, and executing simple plays under pressure.
Great teams talk on defense, call out screens, help each other on offense, and stay connected every possession.
Communication is one of the most important skills high-school teams can develop. Talking early and loudly helps teammates react faster, avoid confusion, and stay organized on both sides of the ball. Effective communication reduces mistakes, strengthens team chemistry, and boosts confidence—especially in tight games. Every player, regardless of position, should develop a strong “communication presence.”
Learn from real examples. These four categories show how smart teams move, communicate, defend, and execute.