Picket Fence is a simple set play for youth through advanced offenses that isolates your best dodger on one side of the field, creating space to attack while forcing the defense to make difficult decisions off the slide.
SET UP
Start by isolating one side of the field with the ball carrier positioned on the wing and the other five offensive players stacked toward the opposite side. Ideally, put the dodger on their strong-hand side so they can attack toward the middle of the field—a right-handed player from the left wing or a left-handed player from the right wing. The dodger attacks the 1v1 looking to create their own shot first. As the defense begins to slide or cheat toward the dodge, the offense reads where the help comes from. A simple progression is “your defender slides, you cut,” giving the dodger an immediate outlet. As players become more advanced, add exchanges within the stack to create movement, make defenders communicate, and make the eventual slide more difficult to execute.
COACHING POINTS & PRINCIPLES
- Isolate & Attack: Create as much space as possible for your best dodger and encourage them to attack the middle on their strong hand with the initial goal of creating their own shot.
- Read the Slide: Don’t predetermine the pass. If a defender leaves the stack to slide, that offensive player becomes the immediate cutting or passing option.
- Create Decisions Off-Ball: Use simple exchanges and movement within the stack to prevent defenders from sitting comfortably in help positions and force them to communicate and make decisions.
