Former UCLA coach John Wooden compiled the best record in the history of US college basketball (664 win, 162 losses, 10 national championships). His teams were noted for exceptional fitness, excellent defence and flexible offence, which allowed players to exploit their natural talents. While Wooden modified his offence during the period he won championships, he always used the high-low post structure as a solid foundation. Champion players such as Lew Alcindor (later to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Bill Walton, Kiki Vandeweghe, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes and Sidney Wicks are some products of the UCLA system.
Some offensive plays have become universally known and included in the common language of coaches. Terms such as “A shuffle cut”, A flex cut” ‘Screen and roll” “Pick and pop” are common and the UCLA cut is another which has been added since the dominant era of John Wooden.
In diagram 1. 3 passes to 4 and cuts toward the basket using a screen set by 5. If the defensive player on 5 does not help or switch, 3 may receive a return pass from 4 and create a scoring option. However, if 5s defence helps to deny the return pass then 4 may pass to 5.
In diagram 2, 5 has several options as 4 moves to set a screen for 3. He may take a shot, make a drive to the basket, pass to 1, or most commonly pass to 3 coming off the screen set by 4
Diagram 3 shows the options for 4 after he receives the pass, he may shoot, or look to pass to 3 who makes a post-up play close to the basket. When a pass is made to 4, 1 moves to set a screen for 5 who makes a power cut to the basket for a pass from 4, or create an excellent rebounding position.
