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OffenseTactical

Horns Set Read Drill

Horns — two bigs at the elbows, a ball handler at the top — is one of the most common sets in modern basketball because it creates so many reads off one simple alignment.

Age RangeAges 14+
Duration12–15 minutes
Group Size5 players
SportBasketball

Equipment Needed

  • One basketball
  • Half court

Build out your practice kit

This set-read drill just needs a ball and a half court, but a basic coaching-aid kit keeps the rest of practice moving.

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Setup

  • Two post players stand at each elbow; a ball handler starts at the top of the key with the ball.
  • Two more players space the corners.
Horns Set Read Drill12345entryEnter to either elbow; read screen, handoff, or cut off the action

Instructions

  1. The ball handler can enter to either elbow, then read one of three options: pass and cut, ball-screen from that elbow, or drive off a handoff.
  2. On a ball-screen read, the opposite elbow player dives or pops based on how the defense reacts.
  3. On a handoff read, the ball handler curls off the elbow player and attacks downhill.
  4. Play out each read to a shot, then reset and run a different option.
Coaching Points
  • This drill is about recognizing the defense's coverage and picking the RIGHT option, not running all three every time.
  • The non-involved elbow player must relocate to stay useful as a release valve.
  • Spacing in the corners has to hold throughout — a corner player drifting in clogs every read.
  • Walk through each option at half speed first if the group is new to the set, then go live.

Variation

Add a live defense that disguises its coverage to force a real read, or restrict the offense to only the handoff option for a full session to build that specific read.

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