The Rocky Attack Play is an offensive set built around two-man games, space, and reading the defense. The offense has three players behind, two two-man groups up top, and three low players. Each two-man group works together while the three low players provide options around the crease.

Setup

The formation has:

  • 3 players behind

  • 2 two-man groups

  • 3 low players

The two-man groups work together on each side, while the three low players work around the crease.

The offense starts with the ball in one of the two-man games.

Option 1: Drive Off the Pick

The first option is the drive off the pick.

The player setting the pick should come down and over rather than taking a straight line. This helps engage the defender and makes the pick harder to read.

The ball carrier should drive at the defender, rather than immediately committing to going over the pick.

The offense should play big, using speed and space.

If there is an opportunity, the third player can cut through to clear space.

Option 2: Slip

The second option is the slip.

When the ball carrier drives hard and the defense slides, the slip can open up in the middle.

This is one of the main looks in the Rocky Attack Play.

The goal is to use the hard drive to make the defense respect the ball, creating an opportunity to dump the ball inside.

Read the Defense

One of the biggest coaching points is:

“Read, don't write.”

Don't decide what you're going to do before you see what the defense gives you.

If the defender slides, use the opening created by that slide.

If the defender doesn't slide, don't make the decision for them.

The players should know their options and then choose the option based on how the defense reacts.

Option 3: Crease Roll

If the drive and slip aren't available, the offense can move into the crease roll.

The ball is passed down to the crease player.

The passer then comes down to set a screen or pick, creating a pass-down, pick-down action.

The crease player then looks to roll through the open space.

The key is to set up the drive. The crease player should be patient and then explode out once the drive isn't available.

Getting outside the ball allows the player to receive the ball over the top rather than having to run all the way around the crease.

Reset and Run It Again

After the action, the ball can come back up to the opposite two-man game.

Players reset into their positions and run the same concepts on the other side:

Two-man game → Drive → Slip → Crease roll

The offense flows from low to high and across, allowing the players to return to their general positions and continue the attack.

Play Big

Space is your friend in this offense.

Players should use speed and spacing to stretch the defense.

If defenders follow the attackers farther away from the cage, that can create more space for the drive and the slip.

If the defense starts packing in, the offense needs to adjust.

Keep Reading the Defense

The defense will eventually adjust to what is working.

If defenders begin overplaying the outside, attack the middle.

If the defender's feet are already positioned toward the outside, the ball carrier can refuse the pick and attack the opposite direction.

The offense should not run the same option simply because that is what the play says.

Read the defense and choose the option it gives you.

Keep the Defense Accountable

Rocky can become somewhat predictable if the offense always runs the same action.

That's why the offense should continue making the defense work.

Run the two-man game. Drive. Look for the slip. Use the crease roll. Then change the option when the defense begins to overplay.

Think of it as knocking down a door. You may not break through the first time, second time, or third time, but continuing to attack can eventually create the opening.