Essential Components of the Motion Basketball Offense

Passing

Good passing helps avoid turnovers and puts your team in the best possible scoring positions. Most of our passing drills establish the mindset of passing away from the defense instead of passing to the offense. Moreover, the passer must not only get the ball to the recipient but also put the recipient in the best possible position to shoot the ball and score.

Movement

The key to successful movement is to move in concert with the rest of your teammates to insure the key concept of our offense, floor balance. Proper spacing is essential for a good offense. An offensive player standing still allows his defender to play off his man to give help to his teammates.

Screening

Each player must help their teammates get a better shot opportunity. The screen is the most effective way of establishing better shot opportunities. However, the passer must look for both the person being screened and the screener as potential scoring threats. In the execution of the screen two players will work together to produce a scoring opportunity.

Shot Discipline

Despite its reputation, Motion Offense is not an equal shot opportunity offense. You, as coach, must establish what type of basketball shot each player is expected to take.

Concentration

In pattern basketball offenses, the system does all of the thinking. In Motion Offense, you are only as good as your concentration. You must think before you move.

Role Identification

Each player must understand the role designated for him on the team. Shot discipline & role identification go together. Each player must be told to play within his capabilities.

Communication

Communication is key to running a good basketball motion offense. In order to establish proper floor balance and establish the best shot opportunities, players must be in constant communication. For example, demand that the screener call out the name of the player he is screening. This keeps both players alert, encourages good screens, and helps keep the floor balanced.