Iverson Cut Overview
What is an Iverson Cut?
In basketball, An Iverson Cut (often called an I-Cut) is an offensive tactic/play where an offensive player starts on one side of the court (most often the wing area) and cuts horizontally across the top of the key, usually taking advantage of multiple set screens, to the opposite wing area to shake a defender and receive a pass to set up a scoring or playmaking opportunity. The Iverson cut is named after NBA legend Allen Iverson, who was highly effective at using it during his career.
There are many variations of the Iverson cut, and it can be adapted to fit into a number of offensive schemes and plays. We will detail a few of the possible variations below.
Iverson Cut Benefits
- Extremely Flexible: The Iverson cut can be used as an offensive catalyst in a number of gameplay scenarios in order to create opportunities for both post players and guards due to its versatility and adaptable nature.
- Promotes Offensive Fluidity and Movement: The sweeping cross-court movement in the Iverson Cut naturally opens up passing angles and creates an open shot, driving lane, or offensive playmaking opportunity.
- Creates Separation from Defenders: Primary defenders are usually forced to navigate around multiple screens, often losing their defensive position, falling behind, or forcing a defensive switch that results in a player mismatch.
- Disrupts Defensive Flow: When executed well using proper screens, the Iverson cut keeps the defense moving and guessing, preventing them from settling into a comfortable position on the court and forcing them to make decisions and/or mistakes that give the offense an advantage.

Iverson Cut
Basic Action
Wing-to-Wing Iverson Cut
Cutting from wing to wing across the top of the key utilizing two high post screens is almost certainly the most common version of the Iverson cut. Here’s how to do it in a game-like scenario:
1
Setup
An offensive player gets positioned in the wing area on one side of the court. In our example, we have our offense in a 3-out 2-in set with the shooting guard (2) in position on the right wing to execute an Iverson Cut.

Iverson Cut
Wing-to-Wing: Step 1
2
Post Players Get in Position to Set Screens
The post players (4) and (5) burst into positions above the free throw line to set a stagger screen across the top of the key. In our example, the power forward (4) breaks to the nail while the center (5) breaks up to just outside the right elbow and plant their feet to screen for (2) who is about to make the Iverson Cut.

Iverson Cut
Wing-to-Wing: Step 2
3
Execute the Cut
Once the screeners are in position, the (2) bursts across the top of the key to the opposite wing taking advantage of the screens set by (4) and (5) to break free of their defender. Once (2) reaches the opposite wing, they swing around to face towards the basket and the (1), showing a target hand ready for a pass.
In our example, the small forward (3) simultaneously makes a deep or baseline cut to the opposite corner. The primary goal of this secondary cut by the (3) is to get the left wing defender to follow, clearing space for the (2).

Iverson Cut
Wing-to-Wing: Step 3
4
Receiving the Ball and Actions After the Cut
(1) passes the ball to (2) in the wing when they are turned towards the basket, showing a target hand, and ready to receive the pass. This sets up multiple potential offensive opportunities, including:
- Catch-and-Shoot: The cutter often receives the ball in an open spot for a quick shot.
- Drive to the Basket: The Iverson cut (and off-ball play by the (3)) creates space for the cutter to drive to the hoop.
- Pick-and-Roll: As seen in diagram [4] of our example scenario, the (4) can roll down to the block or basket after setting the screen for the (2) for a quick pass and scoring opportunity.
Note: In our example, the (5) pops out to the right wing to be a secondary option for the (1) if the (2) fails to get open after executing the Iverson cut.

Iverson Cut
Wing-to-Wing: Step 4