A Complete Guide to the Horn Offense (2023)

The action begins with the traditional arrangement of horns, with 4 and 5 just above the elbows and 2 and 3 at the corners.

1.1 will combine 4 (or 5 depending on coverage and defensive position) and run into the strong outside corner

2.3 will slide to 1

3.1 loop by 3 (no screens here, just intersection on first run)

4.3 is cross-sort to 5

Think about:After a run or two, the defense can relax a bit, so you can tell your players to try:

• Instead of going to the corner, you can cut to the edge and make a high pass, or make a transfer and drive to the basket.
• 1 can filter by 3 so now 3 can clip the color
• If the 3's block is good and the 5 is alone, the 4 can pass the ball to the 5 (high low pass

Think about:

• If the 3 is a good shooter maybe the defense will try to flank him, the 4 will sometimes be alone in the middle of the stick or if there is a D3 reading (player defending 3) then he can pivot around the 4 and cut for a basket or closed shot open

6.In the end there are two options, hit a 3 on goal or a 5 on the low post.

Focus:

• Well, big kick and a guard (4 and 3 in this case) must be on the same side and 1 must play for them.
• Read the defense because there are many cutting opportunities.
• 3 would need to be a really good shooter for the game to be effective.
• Don't rush the pass on the last play (#6).
• On the final play (#6), if 1 passes the ball to 5 at the bottom post, 3 must move to the 45 degree point on the weak side and 4 must move into place

The horn raid is a different take on the "traditional" horn raid. Again, we have a 1-2-2 geometry on the field.

1.The action starts with the "catch and catch" action where 1 holds the ball and 5 makes a screen for it but stays in the goal after the first throw.

2.After passing, 1 must have wing clearance below 45 degrees.

Think about:

• If D5 (defending player 5) is slow, attack him on the drive and throw or kick the ball to 2

3.3 sets a cut and 4 slides down to set a view for 3

4.5 dribbles the screen to 4 and sets up a hand action to 3

5.2 crosses the color to define a screen for Screener 4 (STS).

Think about:

• 3 can cut to the basket and if that doesn't work you can continue the game and receive 2 consecutive screens
• 3 can cycle through the first set of 4 screens

Think about:

• I like these screen + transfer situations because they always end up in the failed game. In this situation I recommend 3 try to beat D5 on penetration and if D1 comes to the rescue then there is a good 3 point shooting opportunity.
• If D5 is a good defender and his 3 defeats are a dribble and he has a good low post mismatch while D2 is defending the 4, he passes the ball to the 1 and then he will be the one to pass the 4.

Think about:

• 2 make a loop and cut to the edge
• 5 Stand on the low pole with the D2
• 3 corresponds to 2 which will correspond to 5

Focus:

• Only play this action if your 5 has good dribbling skills.
• The 3 has to be a crack because he needs to have good vision and pass because when he hits the point, he opens up many options for the team.

Diving horns are the easiest way to play this offensive setup for times when we want to get a big one off the bat and let our big dominant play one on one.

1.4 will set up a screen for one and explode after that. 1 must dribble to the 45 degree point and pass the ball to 4.

2.5 jumps onto the paint box and needs to get as close to the basket as possible. 5 must hold his man over one shoulder and call for the ball with his free hand.

Think about:

• When coaching seniors, 5 can dive the bat (not as in the chart) and 1 can throw a high pass.
• When D5 is behind, 1 can throw a quick pass and 5 can make an eye-catching layup

Think about:

• Teach your 5 to be aware of helping the defense and when he's likely to fold you'll need to get the ball to the open pitcher.

1.1 passes the ball to 4, who taps it lightly on the elbow

2.1 cuts the heart of the flush and then drops below 5

3.1 makes a back screen for 5

Think about:

• 1 cut all the way and I'm back on the ball
• 1 simulated a cut and gave the bell to 4 for a transfer

4.4 can make a tackle pass to 5 at the low post

5.1 leaves the screen and if blocking a D5 is good we have a busted game on the perimeter or 1 will be alone for a 3 point shot

Think about:

• Strong side: 4 takes the ball to 2 and he puts it up for 5
• Weak side: 1 fastball that dribbles quickly to the basket with the option to open it for a 3-pointer

1.2 and 3 start their movement at the same time. 3 goes to the horns where 4 and 5 protect it. 2 runs in opposite corner.

2.1 throws the ball into 3's free space and, upon receiving a block from 5, passes the ball to him.

Think about:

• 3 can cut to the basket before or after the two sevens of 4 and 5.
• D2 can fall asleep, so look for a visible pass under the basket for 2

Think about:

• 5 fake a display and attach to basket

Think about:

• 5 calls for a ball from the free-throw line from where he can make a high and low pass to 4.
• 5 pop plays after pick, catch ball in goal and pass to 4 or shoot a 3-pointer.

1.1 makes a pass to 5 standing on his elbow, then passes through the middle and into the weak side corner

2.3 Ascend to a 45 degree point

Think about:

• 1-5 hand off or a lob pass in suit
• After 1 is in the corner, 3 can fake a raise and cut to the basket.

4.5 runs into a corner and covers for 2. After that, 5 should open for the low post.

5.4 dribbles the ball towards the goal and stops 2, at the same time 2 is blocked by 5 and now runs to the transfer with 4

Think about:

• 4 turns a pass into 5 (which opens on screen)
• 4 Fake a transfer and run to the basket

Think about:

• Swing – Swing action on a 3 that can swing on a 1 for a 3-point corner (Best Shot in the NBA)

Think about:

• 1 attacks D4 and drives to the basket
• Pass to 3 for 3-point corner

2.4 and 5 run to the weak corner and block after 2, who drag to the basket after the second screen

3.3 cut in the basket

Think about:

• 2 can simulate aiming at these two screens and cutting under the basket
• 4 or 5 can come off the screen

4.5 and 4 now reposition making 2 consecutive canvases by 3 going from the wrong side and straight to the point

5.1 parties 3

Think about:

• 3 can turn around 5
• 5 cans of STS for 4

6.3 dribbles the ball to 1

7.5 and 4 now make two consecutive screens for 2

8.1 goes to the strong side corner

Think about:

• 2 pretend to go under the screens and go over the screens towards the FT line

9.5 and 4 are placed flat with the baseline

101 now gets two screens and runs to the opposite corner

113 passes the ball to 2

121 leaves 2 screens and can receive the ball

1.1 and 4 play pick and roll

2.4 goes to strong side low post

Think about:

• 1 passes ball to 2 for 3-point corner or tackle for 4

3.1 and 5 are now playing pick and roll

4.5 and 4 exchange places

5.1 dribble to the other side

Think about:

• 5 loves a canvas and cuts to the basket

1.1 passes the ball to 4, who steps on the goal

2.1 takes the canvas of 5, cuts the canvas and goes to the low post on that side and makes the canvas of 2

Think about:

• 4 makes a high pass to 1 after receiving 5's block