Q: I purchased and watched the R&R set, but I have a question about the skip pass. Can you explain to me exactly what happens following the skip pass for the passer as well as the rest of the team?

A: There are many good basketball actions that I don’t address with the Read & React. A few examples would be a traditional pick and roll, or a cross-screen on the Post, or “if your post is fronted, pass the ball up top, seal the defender, and score with a high-low post pass.”

The Skip Pass is one of these actions. It’s a good action, but a reaction by those without the ball is not needed to keep the offense coordinated. Here’s what I mean: Why would a player skip pass? My guess is the receiver’s defender is in some kind of deep, helping position that is hindering what the ball handler wants to do; therefore, the ball is skipped to the open player. The receiver now has a chance to take advantage of a recovering defender. Will the defender close out effectively? Will the receiver catch and shoot or catch and drive or catch and pass? Those without the ball need to wait and see. The receiver is busy reading the recovering defender, so I think it’s difficult to ask him/her to make this read and also watch for a basket cutter. Perhaps you can on certain levels.

A basket cut by the player making the skip pass will not hurt the coordination of the offense. So, if you see an advantage to making it a rule, then go ahead. I did not want to make a rule where it was not needed. This way I give the coach as much freedom to make adjustments in these areas as possible.

It will also not hurt for a perimeter player one spot away from the receiver to basket cut after the skip pass is made. His spot will be filled and if he doesn’t get the ball on the cut, then he simply fills out. The reason that I hesitate to make this a rule is: What if the receiver sees a chance to beat the recovering defender, but as soon as he catches and attacks, his teammate one spot away basket cuts at the same time? If the receiver drives on the side of his cutting teammate, then the cutting teammate has helped the defense stop the penetration.

I hope this helps. Just remember, you can tinker and adjust the Read & React all you want as long as the adjustments do not violate the items in the following list:

1. A previously formed habit of the R&R.
2. Spacing
3. Player Movement
4. Ball Movement

Other than that, be as creative as you want (or as your team is capable).