Man-Down Set
The man-down set uses three players across the top, two in the middle, and two low.
The key to making this set work is fast ball movement around the outside. The two players in the middle work together while also working with the wings to create openings.
Attack the Gaps
When the ball is in the low left corner, the left wing should shift up toward the gap.
The goal is to split the defenders and create an opportunity to cut through.
The middle player should also shift toward the ball to attack the top gap. The player next to them then shifts down low to support the movement.
When the ball moves to the low right corner, the same concept applies on the opposite side. The backside player should shift up to attack the gap, while the top player shifts toward the ball.
The adjacent player can then shift higher or lower to support the low player.
Drive to Draw Two
In the man-down set, the goal is not necessarily to drive to score.
Instead, drive to draw two defenders and then move the ball to create an open feed on the inside.
If the offense can draw two defenders, the ball can be moved twice to the backside to find the open player inside.
The offense can also use skip passes once the defense is being shifted with quick ball movement.
For example, the ball can move from high to low, followed by a low skip pass to the high wing across the top.
When to Drive
Only drive when there is a clear lane and you can see that a defender is not already shifting back into the zone.
The offense should also be passing with the intention of scoring, rather than simply passing to move the ball around.
Everything should have a purpose and be done with speed to attack the gaps and find the open player.
Attack the Seams
Attacking the gap means stepping into the space between two defenders.
When you step into that seam, you draw attention to yourself and take the defense's attention away from another player who may then become open.
This is especially important when the ball is in the low left or low right corner.
The backside players become extremely important because shifting up can allow them to slip into the seam and become open.
The Two Middle Players
The two players on the inside need to work together.
They can:
Set picks for each other
Move in and out of the 8m
Re-attack after stepping out
Work closer to the ball side or backside
One of the most important details is that players need to come out of the 8m before recutting.
If an attacker stays inside the entire time, the defender can simply stay with them and lock them off.
By stepping out of the 8m and then re-attacking, the defender may leave to return to their zone. This creates an opportunity for the attacker to slip back inside.
When the two middle players work hard together, their movement can create gaps for the adjacent player or backside players to slip into.
Triangle Set vs. Even Zone
The second set is a triangle set designed to attack an even zone defense.
The ball starts on the top left.
Start With the Throwback
To initiate the set, throw the ball back to the left elbow.
Once that player has the ball, they drive topside.
At the same time:
One player pops out and follows.
One player comes inside.
As the ball carrier drives, the goal is to draw two defenders at the elbow.
Drag the Elbow Defender High
The offense wants to draw and drag the elbow defender high.
This allows the offense to throw the ball back and leave the elbow exposed.
Once the defense has been moved and the offense has gone through a few cycles, the immediate look is to attack that gap.
The elbow is particularly vulnerable in a zone, so the offense wants to drag the defender high, throw the ball back low, and then attack the elbow.
Attack the Elbow
After the throwback, attack the elbow.
If two defenders slide toward the attacker, the offense can look for the slip pass.
The sequence is:
Drive topside → Throw back → Attack the elbow → Hit the slip
This should be the primary read when the opportunity is there.
Keep the Backside Moving
The backside offense should rotate in the same way.
The players should continue the movement:
The inside player comes in.
One player goes out.
The wing player comes up.
This keeps the backside involved and prevents the offense from becoming stationary.
Use the Crease Slip
The low attacker should not simply sit by themselves.
Look for opportunities to slip from the crease to the backside.
If the ball carrier is driving topside, there may be a direct passing lane down to the crease attacker. This can function almost like a skip pass.
The key is to keep the backside moving while the ball is being attacked.
Move the Ball
Do not keep the ball on one side for too long.
If the ball stays on one side, the backside defenders can shift over and provide help.
After two or three rotations, move the ball to the opposite side and run the same action.
Now the backside offense becomes the attacking side:
Attack topside → Shift in → Pop out → Throw back → Attack the elbow → Look for the crease slip
Keep the Defense Moving
The offense should continuously move the ball and move its feet.
The goal is to:
Draw two defenders.
Hit the throwback.
Attack the elbow.
Look for the slip.
If the slip is not open, continue working the defense.
As the defense has to repeatedly shift and recover, the offense can continue looking for the opening.
Key Coaching Cue
Drive topside. Throw back. Attack the elbow. Hit the slip.
If the slip is open, take it.
If it isn't, keep working the defense and continue moving the ball.
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