Setting Up in 1-4 High
Start in a 1-4 high formation: the point guard up top with the ball, both bigs on the elbows, and the wings spread on either side. The point guard opens the play with a simple entry pass to one wing.
The First Curl
As soon as the pass is thrown, the point guard makes a classic UCLA cut — using the near big as a screen — and curls hard through the lane looking for the return pass and an open layup. If it isn't there, he simply clears through to the weak-side corner and the play keeps moving.
The Second Curl
While that first cut is clearing out, the two bigs come together to set a staggered screen for the other guard, who curls toward the rim the same way. This is the second bite at the same apple — a different cutter, same action, same defensive problem to solve. If the layup isn't open, that cutter clears to the ball-side corner.
Falling Back to the Pick-and-Roll
After screening, the first big pops back out to the top of the key to keep the floor spaced, while the second big turns immediately into a ball screen for the wing player holding the ball. That player attacks the rim hard off the pick-and-roll, looking to score or create for a teammate — this is the play's reliable fallback when neither curl gets loose.
Coaching Points
This action is valuable because it keeps both post defenders out of the paint for most of the possession — by the time the pick-and-roll happens, the only true rim protector left is the point guard's defender.
Cutters curling to the rim should lead with the hand where they want the ball and call for it the instant they're open — the passer needs a clear target in a crowded lane.
When to Use It
Double Curls suits a balanced roster with no specific go-to scorer — every player touches the ball in a scoring situation. Reserve the pick-and-roll ball handler spot for whichever wing makes the best decisions attacking a scrambled defense.