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Two on the Ball (The Blitz)

Both screen defenders jumped the ball — four teammates are now guarded by three.

1X1X552X2THE TRAPTHE POCKET
FIG. 06BLITZ ESCAPEALL FORMATS

THE TRIGGER — ONE LOOK

Two chests in front of you and neither one backing off: that's a blitz, not a hedge. When both defenders commit to the ball, the math flips behind them.

YOUR JOB, BY WHERE YOU'RE STANDING

Ballhandler

Retreat a dribble to keep it alive, get skinny, and hit the screener slipping to the pocket.

A blitz gambles two defenders on one ball. Panic pickups and lob heaves feed it; a calm pocket pass beats it — the catch turns the trap into 4-on-3.

Screener

Don't finish the screen — slip out the back of the blitz to the free-throw line and show your hands.

Both your man and the on-ball defender left with the ball. The pocket behind the trap is the release valve, and only you can fill it.

Weakside wing

Lift up the arc into the handler's vision line before he needs you.

Three defenders are covering four of you, and a trapped handler can only pass to what he can see. A spot he can hit beats a spot that's technically open.

THE NEXT BEAT

The trap squeezes hardest right after your first retreat dribble, and the low defenders start zoning up behind it. The pocket catch is open for one beat — get off the ball early and it's 4-on-3 the rest of the possession.

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Two on the Ball (The Blitz) — Shape Library — Court Cipher