In the Horns setup, the ball handler (typically the point guard) starts at the top of the key. Two bigs—usually the power forward and center—position themselves at each elbow (the high post areas), while the remaining two players space out in the corners. This 1–2–2 shape resembles the horns of a bull, which gives the offense its name.
Generally, Horns provides two primary options to initiate the offense:
The ball handler is given a choice between two high ball screens, one from each elbow (or higher up, as needed).
From here, the offense can flow into pick-and-rolls, pick-and-pops, slips, or swing actions depending on how the defense reacts.
Or alternatively, the ball handler may pass to one of the bigs at the elbow, triggering a sequence of off-ball screens, handoffs, or split actions. This option shifts the playmaking responsibilities to the high post, encouraging inside-out movement and involving multiple players simultaneously.
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