Isolation (Iso)

Isolation (Iso) is when a player will go one-on-one with another player on the opposing team and try to score. Usually, it is the best player on the team that gets the go-ahead from the coach while the player takes advantage of the mismatch in the defense.  Isolation has been once frowned upon is now common in today’s game. So much so offenses are built of one on one plays.

Iso’s in a basketball game is not always planned, there are some factors to consider. But in general, Isolations are mismatches between two players such as a guard vs center, when a player is hot or on fire, or even when a player on defense is in foul trouble.

There are times in a team’s offense that isolations will happen to increase the chances of scoring by taking advantage of the defensive liability to increase chances of scoring.

If a player is heating up and just knocked down their last 2 baskets they may want to feed the fire and give that player the ball again and have them try to score. You will hear players call this a heat check. This may result in an isolation attempt to score another basket, they’re feeding the hot hand, as the hot hand will shoot and feel as if they are shooing into the ocean.

There are often times when a player will find themselves in a mismatch situation such as a guard versus a post or Center at the top of the three-point line, the mismatch may be the speed advantage.

If the center plays off the guard and gives them room the guard will have an easy-open jump shot. If the center plays close to the guard, the guard blows by them. This mismatch can happen when the guard’s teammate which is a center also sets the screen and looks for the pick-and-roll in some cases players on defense are just switching checks which leads to this mismatch.

Not really considered isolation but sometimes in basketball switching with a guard who is undersized may get caught on defense guarding the big man because they were helping or switching on a pick and roll. The big man will go hard in the paint so to speak and use their size to their advantage.

Another time that may come up when we are playing or watching basketball where we will see isolations is a last-second shot in the game at the end of a quarter. When that is the case a player will wait at the top of the key with 6 to 10 seconds left on the clock before making their move. The idea is to beat their man and go to the basket and if they’re guarded well the player can spot their teammate in the corner for the open jump shot.

ISO basketball is very common in the NBA especially with the invention of the step-back jump shot. It is very easy to create the space needed to get the shot off all while making it difficult for the defender to contest the shot and play any sort of defense if the player has mastered this move.

The best players on the basketball team will more than likely have the okay from their coach to try and score. It isn’t always an ISO attempt when a player is just trying to score during the regular play. Sometimes a player uses a series of one-on-one moves to create the space needed for the shot they are attempting.

There are lots of advantages to isolation plays and why they are effective in a basketball game. Here are the reasons why ISO plays should be in the playbook:

• your best player, who you trust to make shots, gets the ball;
• you control the pace of the defense by making it a one-on-one situation;
• you have a high chance of success if you create a player mismatch.

There are, however, a few reasons why one should consider not using ISO plays in the playbook:

• you become too reliant on one player, he could get injured, tired, foul out, or, tightly guarded;
• building out your roster’s depth is important for the long-term growth of the team;
• isolation plays are predictable, so the defense may double down on your best player and force a turnover;
• isolation plays aren’t very effective against zone defense.

There are limitless possibilities for how to setup an isolation play, but the core concept remains the same. If you can create a one-on-one situation with your best player you have a great chance of success. Here are list of isolation play types that can be incorporated in the playbook:

• cutslike v-cuts, l-cuts, backdoor cuts, to get the dribbler open on the court;
• screens like double screens, back screens, or cross screens to confuse defenders;
• ISO plays around the perimeter, wings, and corners of the court;
• ISO plays that have your best player drive towards the basket for an easy layup.

ISO plays are most effective when teams create player mismatches. When a mismatch is obvious on the court, it’s a good sign for a running an ISO play. When designing an isolation play around a player mismatch, look at the following things:

• size advantage;
• height advantage;
• quickness and speed;
• number of player fouls.