How to Run the Four Corners Offense in Basketball

There is no more conservative offense in basketball than the four corners offense. It was primarily designed by Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina to run the clock out when his team had a lead back before there was a shot clock. Back then you could run the four corners offense for minutes as long as you took care of the ball. This offense is no longer as effective in college or the pros because of the presence of the shot clock, but it is still used in high school basketball to run down the clock when a team has a lead.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Set it up just like it sounds. To run the four corners offense the point guard will bring the ball up in the middle of the floor while the other offensive players spread out to the four corners of their half of the court.
2. The point guard can dribble towards the basket or pass it to one of the players in the corners. Because the defense is so spread out if the point guard can drive by his man one of the other offensive players will be left wide open as the defenders cut to the middle of the floor to help.
3. Pass it and get it back. Once the point guard passes the ball he will cut towards the player who received the pass and try to get the ball back. If the ball is passed to one of the players on the baseline the other baseline player should cut to the ball. If it is passed to one of the players by the half court line that player will simply wait to be guarded and then dribble to the middle of the floor. In this situation the point guard will replace him in his corner and the player with the ball will take over the point guard's role.
4. Use the center of the court if there is trouble. If one of the guards gets in trouble the weak side baseline player should flash to the middle of the court to provide a passing outlet. If this becomes necessary, the point guard should go get the ball from this player and everyone should return to their corners as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no shot clock in basketball below the college level, but there is the five second rule. If a player is being guarded he has five seconds to do something. You can hold the ball for five seconds, dribble without going to the basket for five seconds and then hold the ball for another five seconds. This can take a lot of time off of the clock, but remember when you run the four corners offense the goal is to run time off of the clock. You just cannot stand there indefinitely with the ball.