5on4

5on4 is a tactical concept commonly used in basketball, soccer, and other team sports to describe a situation in which five attacking players are matched against only four defending players. This creates numerical superiority for the offense and is often used intentionally by a coach to exploit a specific weakness in the opponent's lineup or to create scoring opportunities in the final minutes of a game.

In basketball, 5on4 is frequently applied during the last possession of a close match. The offensive team may hold a ball while the defensive team rotates to a "zone" or "pick‑and‑roll" defense, leaving a defender away from the ball. The resulting five‑on‑four gap allows the ball‑handler to drive past a defender, cut to an open shooter, or feed a teammate who has created space by moving to the perimeter. Coaches will often rehearse specific plays—such as the three‑point “pick‑and‑pop” or a “back‑door cut”—in a 5on4 setting to ensure players can recognize and exploit the mismatch.

In soccer, a 5on4 scenario might arise when a team overextends to the full‑back line and the opponent pushes five defensive midfielders forward. The attacking side may then use quick, short passes to create multiple lanes, forcing defenders to decide whether to stay on their line or retreat to protect the goal.

The term is also used more generally to denote any situation in which one side has a numerical advantage over the other in a small-group competition. While advantageous, the strategy carries risks; a single lapse can allow the defending side to recover, regaining a 5on4 situation inadvertently. Its effective use requires precise timing, communication, and player understanding of space under pressure.