BEGINNER SET PLAYS

*4A. "Natural" Pick ("Off-Ball")

• The ball is passed low to the crease player on the strong-side and any series of on-ball movements may follow:  cycle, seal (as shown in diagram) or down-pick. 

• As the crease player (ball carrier) begins to carry it high, the weak-side (off-ball) crease player cuts to the middle (Option #1) and the off-ball shooter backdoor cuts behind them (brushing shoulders - natural pick), finishing at the crease position (Option #2).

• The passer reads the crease defender and passes to whichever option is more open. 

*4B. "Natural" Pick ("On-Ball")  

• The ball is passed low to the crease player on the strong-side and any series of on-ball movements may follow:  cycle (as shown in diagram), seal or down-pick.

• The crease player (ball carrier) carries it high to the shooter position and sends a swing pass over to the shooter on the weak-side, who has already started a backdoor cut towards the crease (Option #2).  At the same time the crease player cuts above (as shown in diagram), or below the crease defender.   

• The ball carrier might find themselves open on a bad switch, otherwise they can make a flip pass to the crease player who may be open in the middle, behind or below the crease defender (Option #1). 

• VARIATION

  • Variation:  This play can also see the weak-side shooter make an initial pass down to the crease player who drives to the net top-side (Option #2) while looking for the flip pass to the shooter who does a backdoor cut behind them (Option #1).
• *Note:  Another name for a "Natural Pick" is a "Rub"