Yago Santos is a great pick and roll player in the EuroLeague, as well as the Brazilian National Team. In this learning video, we break down some of his offensive and defensive possessions from a game VS Baskonia: 

His passing ability is one of the most notable areas of Santos’ game. The old saying of “eyes tell lies” is most evident seeing Santos handle in the pick and roll. The skill of being able to look away before making a pass, faking a pass to make a pass, or creating distance from the defense to pass over and around them are all ways Santos can manipulate a coverage.

EuroLeague: Baskonia vs. Crvena Zvezda: 

1. Rub – drop/over – curl
2. Rub vs. 2-3 zone
3. Shoot
4. Side short – drop – crack and roll
5. Set play – ghost flare
6. Rub – flat show – curl
7. Runway – wheel under
8. Transition principles – lag-free reaction
9. Transition principles – high outlet
10. Side – show – short roll
11. Scram switch
12. Foul to not give up mismatch
13. Scram switch

While Yago’s stature may be a constraint, his ability to manipulate defenses by using deception and anticipating, is what makes him truly world-class.

Manipulating Defensive Affordances: “Eyes Tell Lies”

By looking away or faking a pass, Santos introduces “noise” into the defender’s perceptual field. This subtle fake forces the defender to commit to a non-existent threat, momentarily compromising their balance or positioning and opening a passing lane that was previously “closed”.

This is something Luka Dončić does extremely well. In the clip below, his momentum looked like he would shoot or attempt the lob but he lasers the pass to the corner, giving the shooter time and space for the ROB (rhythm, open, balance) shot.

Yago’s game is a masterclass in navigating a shifting landscape—and that’s exactly what we should be training.

Coaches can find SSGs and drills for players to read the help side defense here:

https://transformingbball.com/small-sided-games-book