The ball handler stands at the top of the key. Two players, usually the bigs, stand at the elbows. The other two stand in the corners. That is the whole alignment, and it is probably the most-used starting shape in basketball above youth level.
Why coaches use it
Two things happen at once. The two elbow players give the ball handler a screen on either side, and the defense cannot load up to one of them without opening the other. Meanwhile the two corners pull the low help defenders all the way out to the baseline, so there is nobody sitting in the lane when the ball turns the corner.
It is also disguise. Every Horns set starts with the same picture for the first beat, so the defense cannot tell a ball screen from a flare from a back screen until it is already happening. That is why Horns dominates after-timeout situations: one call, several answers, no new alignment to teach.
What comes out of it
- A ball screen either side, with the second elbow player lifting or clearing depending on what you want in the lane.
- A flare. The ball goes to one elbow and the other big immediately flares the passer for a skip pass.
- A handoff, or “get”. The guard throws it to an elbow and sprints after his own pass to take it straight back.
- Spain. A ball screen with a shooter back-screening the roller’s defender, which puts the rim protector in a bind.
- A twist. The first screener is re-screened by the second going the other way.
- A stagger away. Both elbow players screen for the weak-side guard while the ball sits on the wing.
Start with one Horns entry in your playbook and build the counters off the same first two seconds. The defense should never learn anything from the picture.