Q: In the 4 OUT option, it seems to me that filling 4 of the 5 perimeter spots (used for the 5 OUT) will still allow players to follow the circle movement rules. Is this how you would suggest running the 4 OUT? Or, do you prefer a two-guard, two-wing option? In a two-guard, two-wing alignment, does the tight spacing between the wing and corner following a rotation cause any problems?

A: I prefer the 2 guard / 2 wing formation because it keeps the corners empty.

Why is that good?

Pretend the right guard drives the goal when the post is on the right side of the lane. The post steps down to the right short corner. The right wing should circle move to the empty right corner for the Natural Pitch. In this scenario, if the guard was driving from the top with teammates on the right wing and right corner, the corner player would be running the baseline and “running into” the post who is stepping down to the short corner.

Regarding spacing with this formation, the two guards need to play well above the NBA 3-point line and the two wings need to play just below the FT line extended (rather than above it – the way they do when it’s 5 OUT). Try it and you’ll find that the guard still has space to drive to the goal.