How to Signal for a Backdoor Pass in Basketball

If your opponent is overplaying on defense, a backdoor play is an effective way to catch the defense off guard and score easy baskets. This article focuses on how to communicate a backdoor play.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basketball team

1. The player with the ball is the player that signals for the backdoor cut.

2. Work out a signal to be used by the passer to the receiver when a backdoor opportunity is available. A signal may be showing "Big Eyes" or "Open Mouth" to the teammate.

3. Be sure to make eye contact before making the signal. This insures that both players are "on the same page."

4. Be sure that both players know the general area where the cutter is looking to cut to. For instance, if the player is a wing, the backdoor cut may be designed to go towards the block--if player is a high post at the elbow, the cut may be designed to cut directly through the lane. The area that the player is cutting to must be clear of other teammates. For instance, if a wing is going backdoor towards the block, it may be necessary for the post to clear the block to the other side--therefore, he/she would have to see the backdoor signal as well.

5. Once the signal is made, the teammate must cut backdoor. If the backdoor pass is not available, the ballhandler could fill the open space that was left by the cutter--therefore, it is important for the ballhandler to keep his/her dribble alive.

6. The cutter catches the pass and looks to score or pass to an open teammate that has a scoring opportunity.

Tips & Warnings

• Proper passing fundamentals are essential in properly executing a backdoor play
• The pass receiver should be deceptive when cutting backdoor--making a fake away from the backdoor move or looking disinterested before making the move is effective.