We reviewed the 1-4-1 set in our “Coaching 101: Offensive Sets” article, which you can check out here if you haven’t yet read it. But, if you should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately understand why the most common and effective play out of this set is the Mumbo play.
Yes, the mumbo play. We’re not sure where it got this name from, but we’re pretty positive it’s not the episode of Spongebob that you’re all thinking of. Simply put, the mumbo offense is a constant rotation between pairs of players in the offense, with a series of picks and cuts. The pairs will be created by the crease player and goal-line-extended players who are closest to each other. In the diagram, M3 and A3 will be one pair of players, A2 and M2 will be a second set of players. M1 and A1 sort of serve similar functions from the opposite end of the goal, so we won’t really consider them a pair, but they will affect each other’s rotation.
M1 and A1 will be the dodging players in this offensive set. For the most basic playcall, you are going to want the crease player to roll out of the crease and become a feeding option for the dodging player. This will be initiated by a pick from the goal-line-extended player. If M1 dodges down the right alley, A3 will set a top side pick for M3, so that M3 can roll underneath and curl up towards M1 as a feeding option. A2 and M2 will do the same thing on the other side of the field. M2 will want to roll up further to act as a safety outlet option if M1 is unable to beat his man. A1 will want to roll up the cage to the opposite direction that M1 is dodging. This will put A1 in a position to become a backside feed for a high percentage shot.
When M1 completes the dodge, they will have the option to shoot the ball, feed A1, feed M3, feed M2 early in their cut, or roll back and pass to M2 as a re-direct. When A1 dodges, the same cuts will occur, except the goal-line extended players will set back-side picks so the crease player can come off the top side and curl downwards toward the dodging attackman. M1 will cut to the opposite direction and act as a through look for a step down shot.
There are many nuances that you can work with in this set, but this is the most basic offensive play and motion to work out of this set. Even when no player is dodging, the crease and goal-line-extended players should be setting picks for each other and cutting to try and create open feeds. Play around with it, get creative, and be sure each player clearly understands their responsibilities – and hopefully this will translate to some gino’s, which will translate to some W’s.
Check out the link below to watch Georgetown effectively run the Mumbo offense out of the 1-4-1 set.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEGBUh350DEv
