Scissors - Teaching Team Actions*

Actions come and go in all sports. Spread offenses like the West Coast Offense replace the Wing T and the Wishbone. But "old fashioned" actions, well-executed, still have a place in contemporary basketball. Anyone can find problems; leaders find solutions. 

Proper execution demands that players learn to read defenses. 

For experienced coaches, most elements are elementary. Most players will learn something here...younger coaches can generate their own ideas. 

Basic Scissors action can generate switches, confusion, and basket attack. If they generate 'corner switches' (X defense) then they can generate corner threes. 

Scissors 'read' against early switching. 

Scissors 'read' against pivot retreat. 

Scissors action against guard going under. 

*Adapted and modified from Basketball Concepts and Techniques, Bob Cousy, 1970