5 Out Pass and Cut teaches players to turn a perimeter pass into a scoring cut while teammates refill the open spots. The first opportunity is a return pass to the cutter near the basket. When that pass is covered, the offense maintains its spacing and creates another cut through ball movement.
Use this action to introduce 5-out motion offense, particularly the connection between passing, cutting, and replacing. The sequence includes two different rotations: a top-to-wing pass followed by a three-player fill, then a wing-to-top pass followed by a corner-to-wing replacement.
Setup
Use five offensive players, one ball, and one basket. Start with the paint empty and all five players outside the three-point line in a one-top, two-wing, two-corner alignment.
With left and right defined while facing the basket:
1 — Point Guard: At the top with the ball.
3 — Small Forward and 5 — Center: 3 on the right wing, with 5 in the right corner.
2 — Shooting Guard and 4 — Power Forward: 2 on the left wing, with 4 in the left corner.
Keep the corners deep and the wings clearly separated from the top. Establish consistent names for the top, wings, and corners before teaching the rotations.
The numbers identify the players, not permanent floor assignments. By the end of the sequence, 2 will have the ball at the top and 1 will be in a corner.
Execution
1. Pass from the top to the wing and cut
1 passes to 3 on the right wing and immediately cuts down the middle toward the rim.
1 should turn toward the ball during the cut and present a receiving target. On the catch, 3 looks for the return pass to 1. The cut must threaten a finish at the basket rather than simply move 1 to another perimeter spot.
The remaining sequence assumes that return pass is not available.
2. Fill behind the first cutter
As 1 leaves the top, 2 moves up from the opposite wing to replace 1. As 2 vacates the wing, 4 lifts from the left corner into that opening.
After reaching the basket, 1 clears out to the left corner that 4 has vacated. These movements form one connected rotation:
2 fills the top, 4 fills the wing, and 1 fills the corner.
3 keeps the ball on the right wing, and 5 stays in the right corner. Neither joins the opposite-side rotation.
3. Pass back to the top and cut again
Once 2 is available at the top and 1 has cleared the cutting lane, 3 passes to 2.
3 immediately cuts diagonally from the right wing toward the rim. Now 2 is responsible for seeing the cutter and assessing whether a return pass can produce a finish.
3 must complete the basket cut even when the return pass does not come.
4. Replace the wing and restore the spacing
As 3 leaves the right wing, 5 lifts from the right corner into the vacated wing position. If 3 does not receive the ball, 3 clears from the basket to the right corner that 5 has opened.
1 and 4 hold their positions on the opposite side.
The offense has returned to five-out spacing:
2 has the ball at the top; 4 and 5 occupy the wings; 1 and 3 occupy the corners.
For a continuous drill, use this as the next starting alignment. Players should not walk back to their original numbered spots.
Reads
On the first wing catch, 3 reads 1’s cut. If 1 gets separation and the passing lane is clear, deliver the return pass into 1’s path. Check the help defender as well as the defender following the cutter; separation alone does not make the pass safe.
If the first cut is covered, 3 finds 2 filling the top. Do not force a pass into a crowded lane or wait for 1 to stop under the basket. Let 1 clear while the perimeter rotation creates the next outlet.
On the catch at the top, 2 reads 3’s cut. Apply the same decision: feed a clear scoring opportunity, or keep the ball outside while 3 exits and 5 replaces the wing.
The perimeter passes keep the action moving, but they should not become automatic passes that ignore an open cutter.
Teaching Points
“Pass leaves, feet go.” Start the cut as the ball leaves the passer’s hands. Avoid the pause in which the passer watches the catch before moving.
“Rim first, corner second.” Both 1 and 3 must reach a genuine receiving position near the basket before clearing. Cutting straight toward the exit corner removes the scoring threat.
“Fill outside; cut inside.” 2, 4, and 5 replace along the perimeter. They should not cross the paint and interfere with the basket cuts.
“See the ball and show a target.” Cutters should remain available for a pass while moving toward the rim. Receivers should look inside on the catch, not after several seconds of holding the ball.
“Know your exit.” 1 finishes in 4’s original corner. 3 finishes in 5’s original corner. Do not teach a blanket rule that every cutter must exit to the opposite corner.
There are no screens in this action. Keep 5’s movement as a corner-to-wing fill, not a ball screen, and do not let either cutter stop in the lane to post up.
Common Mistakes
1 returns to the top after cutting.
That spot belongs to 2 during the first rotation. Direct 1 through the rim cut and out to 4’s original corner so the two players do not converge at the top.
Everyone rotates after every pass.
Teach the two fills separately. After 1 passes, the moving group is 1, 2, and 4. After 3 passes, the moving group is 3 and 5. Players outside that rotation maintain their spacing.
2 fills late, leaving 3 without the next perimeter outlet.
Start 2’s movement when 1 vacates the top. Have 4 follow into the wing as it opens rather than waiting for the entire basket cut to finish.
The cutter either leaves too early or stays too long.
A shallow cut never threatens the rim; lingering under the basket blocks the next cut. Require a hard cut with hands available, followed by a clear exit once the receiving opportunity has closed.
Variations and Counters
Mirror the opening pass
Run the same sequence with 1 passing to 2 on the left wing.
1 cuts to the rim, 3 fills the top, and 5 lifts into 3’s wing position. 1 then clears to the corner that 5 vacated. Next, 2 passes to 3 at the top and cuts. 4 fills 2’s wing, and 2 exits to 4’s original corner.
Use this variation once players understand the original rotation. It preserves the same passing, cutting, and filling responsibilities on the other side.
Progress from spacing rehearsal to live reads
Begin five-on-zero. Pause after each refill and have players identify the top, both wings, and both corners. Once the locations are correct, connect the two passes without stopping.
Then add man-to-man defenders and allow the return pass whenever the cutter is open. When the defense takes away a cut, the response within this action is to clear the lane and continue the perimeter sequence—not to force the feed or add an unscripted screen.
Reset after a finish or turnover. On the next repetition, change which players occupy the starting spots so everyone practices passing, cutting, and filling.
Add a counter when perimeter catches are denied
Distinguish between a defender covering the basket cut and a defender preventing the perimeter pass that starts it. The base sequence handles a covered cut by clearing and refilling. Denial of the initial catch requires a separately taught response.
Use 5 Out Backdoor Cut to develop the backdoor counter, or introduce 5 Out Dribble to Backdoor as a dribble-triggered alternative. Teach those entries separately before combining them with pass-and-cut decisions. Players should first understand which movement starts the action and who is responsible for filling behind it.
FAQ
Which corner does each cutter fill?
After the opening pass to 3, 1 fills the corner vacated by 4. After 3 passes to 2, 3 fills the corner vacated by 5. Teach those destinations explicitly before running continuously.
Does the center stay near the basket?
No. 5 starts in the right corner, holds that position during the first rotation, and then fills the right wing when 3 cuts. There is no permanent post player in this sequence. For a separate progression involving post play, use 5 Out Post Actions rather than adding an unplanned post-up to this rotation.
Must the offense complete both perimeter passes before shooting?
No. A clear return pass to either cutter can create an earlier finish. The second pass and refill are the continuation when the first scoring opportunity is unavailable.
Should players return to their original positions after the sequence?
No. The five-out alignment is restored with different players in each spot. Continue from 2 at the top, or reset only when deliberately rehearsing the starting sequence.
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