Setting Up in 1-4 High
Start in a 1-4 high formation with both bigs on the elbows. Put your best catch-and-shoot threat on the wing that will run the baseline cut — this play exists to get that one player a clean look.
The Decoy Exchange
The point guard dribbles toward one side of the floor, and the wing on that side Iverson-cuts over the top of both elbow screens to the opposite side. This looks like a simple guard exchange, and that is exactly the point — it keeps the defense's eyes on the ball while the real action loads on the other side.
The Elevator Screen
While the exchange is happening, the shooter baseline-cuts to the middle of the key. He should wait an extra beat before starting the cut, because there must be no hesitation once he changes direction — he needs to burst through the elevator at full speed.
The instant he clears, both bigs step together and close the "gate" around his defender, forming an elevator screen. The shooter shoots straight up through the gate to the top of the key for a catch-and-shoot three.
Coaching Points
The point guard must always dribble away from the better shooter — whichever wing he dribbles toward goes over the top of the screens, not through the elevator.
There should be no slowdown in the key: a hard change of direction and a full-speed burst through the gate is what makes the screen effective.
The two screeners must time the close of the gate precisely — closing too early or too late gives the defender a driving lane to escape.
If the defender guarding a screener reads the pass and jumps the passing lane, that screener should dive to the rim for an easy layup instead.
When to Use It
This is an ideal quick-hitting call for a sideline out-of-bounds look or a first-possession three, especially against a defense prone to ball-watching during guard exchanges.