5 Out Post Action creates a low-post opportunity from five-out spacing without starting a player on the block. The first option is a post catch for 1 after a pass and basket cut. If that entry is unavailable, the offense fills the open perimeter spots, and 3 uses a dribble-at to send 5 from the corner into a second post-up.
Use this as a post-entry option within your 5-out motion offense, particularly when a cutter can establish inside position against a trailing defender. The key is to offer a brief, clear post target without letting the offense become stationary.
Setup
Start with all five players outside the three-point line and the lane empty.
1 — Point Guard: At the top with the ball.
3 — Small Forward and 5 — Center: 3 occupies one wing, with 5 in the corner on that same side.
2 — Shooting Guard and 4 — Power Forward: 2 occupies the opposite wing, with 4 in the opposite corner.
The side occupied by 3 and 5 becomes the ball side after the opening pass. Keep the corners deep and the wings wide enough to leave room for the basket cut and the wing-to-post entry.
Execution
1. Pass to the wing and cut to the post
1 passes to 3 and immediately cuts through the middle toward the rim. Near the basket, 1 bends the cut toward the ball-side low block and establishes a post position facing 3.
Rather than continuing straight out to a perimeter spot, 1 briefly holds that position and presents a passing target. During this initial post opportunity, 5 stays in the ball-side corner, while 2 and 4 maintain their opposite-side spacing.
2. Feed 1 when the entry is available
3 looks inside as 1 finishes the cut. If 1 has a useful seal and a clear passing lane, 3 delivers the ball to the low post.
1 receives the entry ready to attack the basket. This is the first scoring branch of the play; it does not require an automatic pass back to 3 or an immediate perimeter rotation.
3. Clear and refill when the entry is denied
If 3 cannot safely feed the post, 3 keeps the ball and 1 leaves the block for the opposite corner.
As 1 clears:
4 lifts from the opposite corner to the opposite wing.
2 lifts from the opposite wing to the top.
5 remains in the ball-side corner.
The new alignment has 2 at the top, 3 holding the ball on one wing, 4 on the opposite wing, 5 in the ball-side corner, and 1 in the opposite corner.
4. Dribble at the ball-side corner
With the first post area cleared and the perimeter spots refilled, 3 dribbles toward 5’s corner.
That approach triggers 5’s cut. 5 leaves the corner, cuts along the baseline toward the rim, and then turns into the ball-side low post. The cut should threaten the basket before becoming a post-up; 5 should not simply walk from the corner to the block.
3 advances into the corner space that 5 has vacated.
5. Establish the second post target
5 seals the defender and shows a target back to 3. From the corner area, 3 looks for the entry pass into 5.
The other three players maintain their spacing: 2 at the top, 4 on the opposite wing, and 1 in the opposite corner. They should not drift into the lane while 5 is establishing the post position.
Reads
Can 1 receive the first post entry?
3 should read the relationship between 1, the defender, and the passing lane—not merely whether 1 has reached the block. A visible target with the defender held away from the ball gives 3 a usable entry. A fronting defender or help sitting in the passing lane is a reason to avoid forcing the feed.
Is the first opportunity still available?
1 should hold the seal long enough for 3 to assess it, but not remain on the block indefinitely. Once the entry is unavailable, 1 clears and the opposite-side players fill. The continuation depends on making that decision promptly.
Has 5 created an entry angle after the dribble-at?
3’s movement toward the corner and 5’s cut should work together. As 5 turns into the post, 3 looks for the exposed target and passes when the angle is clear. There is no need to take extra dribbles just to reach a precise corner spot, but there is also no reason to force a pass before 5 has established position.
Teaching Points
Connect the pass and cut. 1 should move immediately after releasing the pass. A pause at the top separates the cut from the ball movement and makes the action easier to track.
Threaten the rim before posting. Both 1 and 5 cut toward the basket before settling into the low post. Their post position should grow out of the cut, not replace it.
Show the passer a clear target. The post player establishes a balanced base and presents a hand away from the defender. The passer delivers to that target rather than throwing to a fixed spot on the floor.
Clear before using the second post action. 3 should not dribble at 5 while 1 is still occupying the ball-side block. Let 1 exit and the opposite side refill.
Use the dribble as the corner trigger. 5 stays spaced until 3 begins approaching the corner, then cuts decisively. There is no screen or handoff in this action.
Teaching it in practice
Rehearse two separate outcomes five-on-zero. First, have 3 feed 1 on the initial post-up. On the next set of repetitions, have 3 keep the ball so the group practices 1’s exit, the perimeter rotation, and the dribble-at into 5’s post-up.
Then add defenders and let 3 decide whether the first entry is available. Players who need work connecting the opening pass to the basket cut can rehearse 5 Out Pass and Cut before adding the brief post seal.
Common Mistakes
1 leaves the block before 3 can make a read.
The cutter treats the action as an ordinary pass-and-cut and runs straight through. Require 1 to establish a visible target before deciding to clear.
1 stays inside after the entry has been denied.
This prevents the offense from restoring its spacing and crowds 5’s later cut. Teach a brief posting window, followed by a decisive exit to the opposite corner.
2 and 4 rotate at the wrong time.
In this sequence, they hold their original spots during 1’s initial post opportunity. Their lift accompanies 1’s exit: 4 moves to the wing, and 2 moves to the top.
5 cuts early or meets 3 in the corner.
An early cut crowds 1’s post-up; a late cut leaves 3 dribbling into an occupied space. Use 3’s approach as the cue for 5 to leave.
3 throws the entry because the play calls for it.
Reaching the block does not automatically make the post player open. Require a clear target and passing lane before releasing the ball.
Variations and Counters
Counter a denied guard post with the center post-up
The built-in counter is the continuation into 5. When the first entry to 1 is covered, keep the ball with 3, complete the opposite-side rotation, and use the dribble-at to create a different post target and entry angle.
To isolate the corner-cut timing in practice, use 5 Out Dribble to Backdoor, then rehearse stopping that basket cut in a post seal for this action.
Mirror the starting alignment
Run the same sequence on the other side by reversing the entire starting alignment. Keep 3 and 5 together on one side, with 2 and 4 opposite. Preserve the same responsibilities: 1 cuts and posts first, 4 and 2 fill after the exit, and 5 becomes the second post target.
FAQ
Why is the point guard the first post player?
1’s basket cut creates the initial opportunity. The action allows the guard to use a favorable position or matchup without assigning that player a permanent interior role.
Does 1 receive the ball before clearing to the opposite corner?
Not in the denied-entry continuation. If 3 cannot make the post pass, 3 retains possession while 1 clears. A successful entry to 1 is a separate scoring outcome.
When should 5 leave the corner?
After 1 has cleared, the perimeter spots have refilled, and 3 begins dribbling toward the corner. Until then, 5 stays wide to preserve space for the first post opportunity.
Does 5 continue through to the opposite side?
No. In this action, 5 threatens the rim and then turns into the ball-side low post to receive from 3. Continuing across the lane would remove the intended second post target.
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