Curl vs Top-Lock: Pull-Up, Floater or Rim

Setup

A down screener on the lane line, a cutter under the basket guarded by a defender who top-locks or trails, a passer on the wing, and a coach in the lane acting as a help big.

How it runs

1. Cutter comes off the down screen while the defender follows on the high side.
2. Cutter curls tight around the screener's hip toward the middle of the lane and catches on the move.
3. Read the help big: if he stays at the rim, one-dribble pull-up; if he steps up but not all the way, floater; if he stays home on nobody, go to the rim.
4. Screener steps to the ball or rolls opposite the cutter's path.
5. Rotate after each finish.

Coaching point

The tighter the curl, the harder it is for the trailing defender to recover.