1
Any time that the ball is dribbled from or across the midline, a backdoor/fill or flare is created.
In this diagram, 4 is denied, so as 3 dribbles at him, he cuts backdoor. 1 steps up and fills the spot as the receiver. If 4 doesn't get the ball on the back cut, he posts up. 1's first look is to get 4 the ball on the block. 5 has come up to set a flare screen on 3. This is now a top flare situation.
A good rule of thumb is that if someone dribbles at you and the defense is between you and the ball, or if you can touch the defense, you back cut.
2
If 3 dribbles across the midline and 4's defender is sagging to the middle, 1 sets a flare screen for 4. 3 passes to 4.
1 would now roll to the block on 3's pass to 4.
5 comes up, and now the offense is in the same top flare situation.
3
A top flare situation occurs in several cases. One common occurrence is a result of a backdoor/fill or flare situation.
Here, 3 has dribbled across the midline and 4, who is denied, has cut backdoor. The backdoor pass isn't there, so 3 passes to 1, and 5 has moved up to set a flare screen for 3.
Again, 1 looks at 4 in the post first. If 4 isn't open, 1 dribbles up and passes to 3 who flares off of 5's screen.
It is important for 1 to dribble up toward 3. First, it creates a shorter pass. It also flattens the angle between 1 and 3, making the flare screen more effective.
4
As 1 dribbles up, 4 moves out of the post. If 3's defender gets screened by 5, or goes under the screen, 1 passes to 3. 3 could shoot the three-pointer, he could drive to 2's side, or he could pass to 2 and cut to the basket. 5 would pop up top, and "open" would begin.
If 3's defender fights over the screen, 3 cuts to basket, 5 steps out, and "open" begins.
On any cut to the basket in this situation, if 3 doesn't get it, he will fill the corner on 2's side.
A top flare will always move into "open" unless a shot is taken.
