Basketball Motion Offense Strengths
Difficult to basketball scout
Prepares team for tournament play – half court offense
Shot selection determined by the basketball coach
Assigns each player a basketball role
Focused on basketball execution – how you do it, not what you do
Maximizes basketball practice time – work on offensive/defensive drills at same time
Teaches players how to play the game of basketball (i.e., court spacing, reading screens, shot selection,
creating offense for teammates, etc.)
Celebrates individual sacrifice and basketball teamwork
Focused on screening and cutting
Basketball Motion Offense Weaknesses
Difficult to teach well
Reliance on skills of all 5 offensive players
Can be difficult to create shots for best players
Can be difficult to execute in time/score situations
Steep learning curve for basketball players
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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.
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.
RECOGNIZE CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES
Having forced the Confederates back into their defenses at Vicksburg, Ulysses S. Grant ordered an assault on the city's fortifications. This attack, which occurred on May 22, 1863, was a complete failure, and resulted in heavy Union losses. Grant wrote that one reason for his ordering the unsuccessful attack was that his troops believed they could take the city by storm.
"The Army...had won five successive victories...in the three preceding weeks...
They had come to believe that they could beat their antagonist under any circumstances." Ulysses S. Grant.
But the Union victories had been won against an enemy in the field, not when the Confederates were behind massive fortifications.
LESSON: You need to be able to recognize when circumstances have changed and no longer favor success. Good leaders don't send their people on fools' errands.
"The Army...had won five successive victories...in the three preceding weeks...
They had come to believe that they could beat their antagonist under any circumstances." Ulysses S. Grant.
But the Union victories had been won against an enemy in the field, not when the Confederates were behind massive fortifications.
LESSON: You need to be able to recognize when circumstances have changed and no longer favor success. Good leaders don't send their people on fools' errands.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
CREATE A THINKING MACHINE
Watching the surrender of the Mexican garrison at Monterrey (September 24, 1846), a young Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant was struck by "how little interest the men before me had in the results of the war, and how little knowledge they had of 'what it was all about.'" Years later, General Grant would describe the Union army that marched though Georgia as having been made up of "as good soldiers as ever trod the earth...because they not only worked like a machine but the machine thought."
"Our armies were composed of men who where able to read, men who knew what they were fighting for...and so necessarily must have been more than equal to men who fought merely because they were brave and because they were thoroughly drilled and inured to hardships." Ulysses S. Grant.
LESSON: Empowerment begins with knowledge, which goes beyond job training. No matter how well you teach your people to do their jobs, if they don't understand the organization's mission and the important role they play in carrying it out, all ou will have is people who act like non-thinking robots, and you will always be outperformed by any competitors who empower their members to think for themselves.
"Our armies were composed of men who where able to read, men who knew what they were fighting for...and so necessarily must have been more than equal to men who fought merely because they were brave and because they were thoroughly drilled and inured to hardships." Ulysses S. Grant.
LESSON: Empowerment begins with knowledge, which goes beyond job training. No matter how well you teach your people to do their jobs, if they don't understand the organization's mission and the important role they play in carrying it out, all ou will have is people who act like non-thinking robots, and you will always be outperformed by any competitors who empower their members to think for themselves.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Implementing the Weave Screen Pivot
By Greg Nix
The five man weave is an open post five man motion offense that is based on how well players read their defender and capitalizes on their defenders mistakes. When teaching the offense to your players, you must teach the options of the weave one at a time. The basic options are the hand off, pass and go away any time, back door cut, pivot, and the wing cut. As you implement the options you show the players how the options go together. Whenever I go to a new program it takes around two weeks to get the offense to where it begins to resemble the motion offense it really is. As one option takes place another option immediately takes place. It takes a commitment of a full season of running the offense before it gets really efficient.
To begin, the players have to be taught what the term balance means. Balance means that all fiveplayers should occupy all five spots (both corners, both wings, and the point) in the front court atthe end of the fastbreak. I always teach our fastbreak first to show them where each player will end up. Balance is very important. Every coach has a different philosophy about fast breaking but know where your players are going to end up at the end of the break in order to transition into theweave. It doesn’t matter in the fastbreak that we run. In our system we say that every player is aguard and every player is a post player also because in the weave they all face the basket, they allhandle the ball, and they all post up when they cut or pivot. On dead ball situations we alwayshave our big guys in the corner and our guards at the top and on the wings for balance, then gointo the offense.
The first option of the weave is to handoff and go all the way to the corner. It’s okay that there is a pivot man in the corner already. He will be going across to pivot when the ball goes around the horn the other way. When introducing the weave to the players have them handoff to the wing, go to the corner. Have the man in the corner fill up to the wing as the ball is going away to the other side. Repeat the handoff over and over until they understand. It is extremely importantfor the point guard who started the offense to bore in to the top of the key and then dribble toward the defender. This is a very important point to begin the offense with a good angle when dribbling to the defender. Then put a soft defense out there and have the group on offense concentrate on dribbling toward the defender and handing off then going to the corner just like you did 5 on 0. Repeat as often as you need to. This will teach the players how the handoff is a natural screen and how they need to look for the drive or shot after every hand off. Make sure handoffs take place on the wings and not at the top. If a handoff takes place up top it creates a bad angle for the pivot man coming across when that option is added. There is one last point about the handoff. Make sure the man receiving the handoff gets it and pauses for one second to look inside to see what he’s got which is either a dribble drive or a pass to the pivot man then go on around the horn.
Then add Pass and go away to the opposite corner. Passing and going away is a counter to handing off and it creates a big space for the dribble drive. A pass may take place at any time within the offense. We don’t allow skip passes but passes to the next spot in either direction. It’s okay to pass the ball after a hand off or from wing to corner or wing to the top of the key. The passer must cut or go away to the corner. The beauty of the five man weave is that the defenders don’t know if a handoff, pass, or backdoor is going to take place. Make sure players go all the way to the corner. If they just go to the wing and stop, then they’re in the way. After every exchange whether it’s a pass, hand off, or back door that player should go all the way to the corner. NO SHORT CUTS.
Then add the pivot which will be posting up. Make sure you look at the options I sent you already. Now, when going 5 on 5 you have the sentiments of an offense with handing off, pass and go away, and pivot. Those three are essential to making the offense work.
Next add the Backdoor cut. The defense starts to believe they got it figured out so teach the back door cut on the defensive over play. Backdoor cut goes with Wide lane where the backdoor cutter screens across for the pivot. The backdoor cut works well against teams who like to play aggressively and deny the wings. The back door makes defenses have to play honest. Sometimes we call out widelane as a play or during a time out.
The last of the basic options that make the offense really click is the wing cut. The wing cut like the pivot takes place when the ball is either on the opposite wing or the opposite corner. This provides a great angle for a pass to the wing cut. If the cutter doesn’t receive the ball then he goes to the corner he’s headed toward on the cut. We tell our player to never receive a hand off at the top of the key. If you have a player who is impatient for the hand off then train him to wing cut. If you have post player you don’t yet trust to take a hand off or handle the ball on the
perimeter then have him wing cut. The wing cut is very difficult to defend and very effective. After a couple of weeks of running the offense and the players begin to get more comfortable with the basic options then you can begin to add the other options as you see fit such as the Screen and roll or screen and pop We’ve incorporated this option five years ago within the weave. Our big guys have the freedom as they pivot or come up on the wing to set an on ball screen for the guards up top. I always encourage big guys setting on ball screens for the guards to create the mismatch. I don’t allow guards to set on ball screen for guards. If the screener rolls he must go on to the corner.
The other options that are listed with the original material are important and can be included but the main basic options will occur more frequently. As I said earlier it takes time for the offense to come together but it will if you stay with the basics.
The five man weave is an open post five man motion offense that is based on how well players read their defender and capitalizes on their defenders mistakes. When teaching the offense to your players, you must teach the options of the weave one at a time. The basic options are the hand off, pass and go away any time, back door cut, pivot, and the wing cut. As you implement the options you show the players how the options go together. Whenever I go to a new program it takes around two weeks to get the offense to where it begins to resemble the motion offense it really is. As one option takes place another option immediately takes place. It takes a commitment of a full season of running the offense before it gets really efficient.
To begin, the players have to be taught what the term balance means. Balance means that all fiveplayers should occupy all five spots (both corners, both wings, and the point) in the front court atthe end of the fastbreak. I always teach our fastbreak first to show them where each player will end up. Balance is very important. Every coach has a different philosophy about fast breaking but know where your players are going to end up at the end of the break in order to transition into theweave. It doesn’t matter in the fastbreak that we run. In our system we say that every player is aguard and every player is a post player also because in the weave they all face the basket, they allhandle the ball, and they all post up when they cut or pivot. On dead ball situations we alwayshave our big guys in the corner and our guards at the top and on the wings for balance, then gointo the offense.
The first option of the weave is to handoff and go all the way to the corner. It’s okay that there is a pivot man in the corner already. He will be going across to pivot when the ball goes around the horn the other way. When introducing the weave to the players have them handoff to the wing, go to the corner. Have the man in the corner fill up to the wing as the ball is going away to the other side. Repeat the handoff over and over until they understand. It is extremely importantfor the point guard who started the offense to bore in to the top of the key and then dribble toward the defender. This is a very important point to begin the offense with a good angle when dribbling to the defender. Then put a soft defense out there and have the group on offense concentrate on dribbling toward the defender and handing off then going to the corner just like you did 5 on 0. Repeat as often as you need to. This will teach the players how the handoff is a natural screen and how they need to look for the drive or shot after every hand off. Make sure handoffs take place on the wings and not at the top. If a handoff takes place up top it creates a bad angle for the pivot man coming across when that option is added. There is one last point about the handoff. Make sure the man receiving the handoff gets it and pauses for one second to look inside to see what he’s got which is either a dribble drive or a pass to the pivot man then go on around the horn.
Then add Pass and go away to the opposite corner. Passing and going away is a counter to handing off and it creates a big space for the dribble drive. A pass may take place at any time within the offense. We don’t allow skip passes but passes to the next spot in either direction. It’s okay to pass the ball after a hand off or from wing to corner or wing to the top of the key. The passer must cut or go away to the corner. The beauty of the five man weave is that the defenders don’t know if a handoff, pass, or backdoor is going to take place. Make sure players go all the way to the corner. If they just go to the wing and stop, then they’re in the way. After every exchange whether it’s a pass, hand off, or back door that player should go all the way to the corner. NO SHORT CUTS.
Then add the pivot which will be posting up. Make sure you look at the options I sent you already. Now, when going 5 on 5 you have the sentiments of an offense with handing off, pass and go away, and pivot. Those three are essential to making the offense work.
Next add the Backdoor cut. The defense starts to believe they got it figured out so teach the back door cut on the defensive over play. Backdoor cut goes with Wide lane where the backdoor cutter screens across for the pivot. The backdoor cut works well against teams who like to play aggressively and deny the wings. The back door makes defenses have to play honest. Sometimes we call out widelane as a play or during a time out.
The last of the basic options that make the offense really click is the wing cut. The wing cut like the pivot takes place when the ball is either on the opposite wing or the opposite corner. This provides a great angle for a pass to the wing cut. If the cutter doesn’t receive the ball then he goes to the corner he’s headed toward on the cut. We tell our player to never receive a hand off at the top of the key. If you have a player who is impatient for the hand off then train him to wing cut. If you have post player you don’t yet trust to take a hand off or handle the ball on the
perimeter then have him wing cut. The wing cut is very difficult to defend and very effective. After a couple of weeks of running the offense and the players begin to get more comfortable with the basic options then you can begin to add the other options as you see fit such as the Screen and roll or screen and pop We’ve incorporated this option five years ago within the weave. Our big guys have the freedom as they pivot or come up on the wing to set an on ball screen for the guards up top. I always encourage big guys setting on ball screens for the guards to create the mismatch. I don’t allow guards to set on ball screen for guards. If the screener rolls he must go on to the corner.
The other options that are listed with the original material are important and can be included but the main basic options will occur more frequently. As I said earlier it takes time for the offense to come together but it will if you stay with the basics.
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Before setting out with the Army of the potomac in May 1864 to fight Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, Grant let Lincoln know not to expect any quick or easy victories.
"Where two such armies meet on common ground, about equal in numbers, and equally well handled, I do not know why any better results should be expected from one than the other...While I hope and expect to defeat them, I do not know why this war should not end, as wars generally do, by the exhaustion of the strength and resources of the weaker party." Ulysses S. Grant
LESSON: Guard against unrealistic expectations by your superiors, yourself and your subordinates. Also, never make predictions to the press.
"Where two such armies meet on common ground, about equal in numbers, and equally well handled, I do not know why any better results should be expected from one than the other...While I hope and expect to defeat them, I do not know why this war should not end, as wars generally do, by the exhaustion of the strength and resources of the weaker party." Ulysses S. Grant
LESSON: Guard against unrealistic expectations by your superiors, yourself and your subordinates. Also, never make predictions to the press.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Reasons for Using 5_out Motion
This 5 out motion offense is an extremely simple offense to teach that could be used for a
number of reasons.
1. Primary offense. Throughout my varsity career, we utilized this offense with great
success because it opened up the lanes for dribble penetration and cuts that allowed us to
utilize our team's quickness.
2. Easy To Teach - This offense could very easily be taught in one day!
3. Delay offense. If you want to hold the ball until you get a lay up or the final shot to end
the quarter, this offense is ideal for those situations.
4. Foundation for any motion offense at any level. This offense can be used as a building
block to teach your players basket cuts, back cuts, and how to react to dribble penetration.
5. Great For Youth Teams - Great foundation as mentioned in #3 and you can teach more
options as the team progresses.
number of reasons.
1. Primary offense. Throughout my varsity career, we utilized this offense with great
success because it opened up the lanes for dribble penetration and cuts that allowed us to
utilize our team's quickness.
2. Easy To Teach - This offense could very easily be taught in one day!
3. Delay offense. If you want to hold the ball until you get a lay up or the final shot to end
the quarter, this offense is ideal for those situations.
4. Foundation for any motion offense at any level. This offense can be used as a building
block to teach your players basket cuts, back cuts, and how to react to dribble penetration.
5. Great For Youth Teams - Great foundation as mentioned in #3 and you can teach more
options as the team progresses.
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