Horns Sets vs. Man-to-Man Defense

with Ben Jacobson,
Utah State University Head Coach;
University of Northern Iowa University Head Coach from 2006 to 2026;
2026 MVC Tournament Champions;
5x Missouri Valley Coach of the Year (2009, 2010, 2015, 2020, 2022);
4x Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions (2009, 2010, 2020, 2022),
5x Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champions;
University of Northern Iowa University Assistant Coach from 2001 to 2006;
North Dakota State Assistant Coach from 2000 to 2001;
University of North Dakota Assistant Coach from 1993 to 2001;
as a player, was North Dakota Mr. Basketball in 1989;
played collegiately at University of North Dakota;
ended his career as the school's all-time assist leader

Longtime UNI coach Ben Jacobson has molded his program into one of the most consistent in college hoops today. More often than not, he has guided his teams to top three finishes in the MVC over the span of his tenure.

While at UNI, Coach Jacobson incorporated various set plays that have helped his teams be successful in the half court. In this video, he demonstrates why his sets work and how he has adapted them to build a solid foundation of play.

Horns

In Jacobson's horns sets, he uses his best shooter in the deep corner in order to space the defense out. By putting the top two post players at the free throw line to set screens, the Panthers are able to create plays with multiple scoring options and screening actions. Jacobson focuses on the small details within setting screens in order to make his players better understand how to attack the defense.

From the base set, you'll see how to use a dribble hand-off into a double screen to allow your best shooter to turn the corner and attack the basket or pull up for an easy open jumper. In Jacobson's comeback action, the post sprints out and sets a ball screen for the shooting guard, giving them a driving lane to attack. With each set play demonstrated, Coach Jacobson guides you through how your team should use each type of scoring action. By reading the defense, your players will discover how and when to attack the defense.

2-1-2 Sets

Jacobson finishes his breakdown of half court offense with several 2-1-2 sets where players learn how to attack screens coming from the wing. He uses his post players to run out, set a ball screen, and then roll back into the paint to deep seal a defensive post player. Your forwards will love taking advantage of these scoring options as they roll to the basket and seal, attack a hard hedge by slipping the screen, and use open space to cut and post up deep in the paint.

Coach Jacobson packs in many set plays that work universally among many types of offenses. If you're searching for some ideas to jump-start your scoring, consider this video the spark you need!

67 minutes. 2019.