Delay / Five-Out Offense

Definition

Delay (or 5-out) offense places all five players around the perimeter and runs continuous DHO, ball-screen, and cut actions out of a balanced spacing shell.

Why it matters

It removes the need for traditional positions and maximizes driving lanes — a perfect framework for modern, skilled teams.

Examples

• DHO into a re-screen.
• Drive-and-kick triggering a backdoor 45-cut.

Practical application

• Teach principles, not plays: paint touch, attack the closeout, cut behind the drive.
• Use small-sided 4-out games to teach the cuts first.

Common mistakes

• Standing on the catch instead of attacking the closeout.
• Two players in the same slot — kills the gap.