Category: Offense Motion

Three-Man Game: Scissoring off the post

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Diagram 16 – Basic Scissor Movement – This play involves the high post man and both guards. Player 1 passes the ball into the pivot, who has moved toward the pass, and immediately cuts off the pivots left hip. At the same time teammate 2 fakes right but cuts behind player 1 and off the pivot’s right hip to complete the scissor movement. The passer always cuts first. The pivot must quickly read the defense to determine whether the first or second cutter will be in the better position to score. Also, he must be aware of his own defender’s reaction. After handing off to either guard he should open toward the ball, move toward the basket, allowing for a return pass (generally a high lob) should his defender switch to the cutter. He is also in good rebounding position in case the guard in possession shoots the ball.
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Diagram 17 Scissor Movement with Shot over Double Screen – Pivot player 5 receives a pass from guard 2 who cuts as in the original scissor movement. Guard 1 fakes and completes the scissor. His defender 1 slides back behind offensive guard 1 and pivot player 5 to negate the effectiveness of the cut. Offensive player 1 stops, takes a pass from 5 and shoots an 18 foot shot over the double screen set by teammates 2 and 5.
Diagram 18 Scissor Cut Pivot Technique - Offensive player 2 has passed to pivot player 5 and started his cut. The pivot player observes his defender moving to the right in anticipation of 2's cut. On seeing this development, offensive player 1 delays his cut. Pivot player 5 pivots on his right foot and steps toward the basket with a long left stride. He can either dribble in for a lay up or take a jump shot.
Diagram 18 Scissor Cut Pivot Technique – Offensive player 2 has passed to pivot player 5 and started his cut. The pivot player observes his defender moving to the right in anticipation of 2’s cut. On seeing this development, offensive player 1 delays his cut. Pivot player 5 pivots on his right foot and steps toward the basket with a long left stride. He can either dribble in for a lay up or take a jump shot.
Diagram 19 Scissor Movement where Defenders Prematurely Anticipate the Scissor - Offensive player 2 passes into the pivot player and makes his cut. Teammate 1 starts his cut behind teammate 2. He observes that defender 2 has stopped following teammate 2 and that his own defender, 1, will pick up teammate 2. Guard 1 then changes direction and cuts to the same side of the pivot player as teammate 2.
Diagram 19 Scissor Movement where Defenders Prematurely Anticipate the Scissor – Offensive player 2 passes into the pivot player and makes his cut. Teammate 1 starts his cut behind teammate 2. He observes that defender 2 has stopped following teammate 2 and that his own defender, 1, will pick up teammate 2. Guard 1 then changes direction and cuts to the same side of the pivot player as teammate 2.

Two-Man Game With Screens

Outside Screen

Diagram 10 - Outside Screen - Player 1 passes to teammate 2 and since 2's defender has dropped back, playing 2 loosely, player 1 screens outside defender 2 between him and teammate 2.
Diagram 10 – Outside Screen – Player 1 passes to teammate 2 and since 2’s defender has dropped back, playing 2 loosely, player 1 screens outside defender 2 between him and teammate 2.

Outside Hand-off

Diagram 11 - Outside Handoff - Offensive player 1 passes to 2 and cuts behind him and receives a handoff pass on the outside. Player 1 can either take a shot from outside or dribble drive to the basket.
Diagram 11 – Outside Handoff – Offensive player 1 passes to 2 and cuts behind him and receives a handoff pass on the outside. Player 1 can either take a shot from outside or dribble drive to the basket.

Cutting Off the Ball

Diagram 12 - Cutting off the ball - Offensive player 2 dribbles directly in line between teammate 2's defender and the basket. Player 1 maneuvers his man into teammate 2, cutting close to 2 toward the basket, receiving a return pass if open.
Diagram 12 – Cutting off the ball – Offensive player 2 dribbles directly in line between teammate 2’s defender and the basket. Player 1 maneuvers his man into teammate 2, cutting close to 2 toward the basket, receiving a return pass if open.

Passing to the Screener

Diagram 13 - Passing to the screener - Offensive player 1 passes to 2 and screens 2's defender inside. Teammate 2 dribbles off this screen to his right in direction of the screen. Offensive player 1's defender switches to 2 as 2 dribble drives to the basket. At the switch offensive player 1 rolls to the basket taking 2's immediate pass. It is vastly important the ball be passed as the switch is made, since that is when the opening is widest and both defenders are usually focused on the driver.
Diagram 13 – Passing to the screener – Offensive player 1 passes to 2 and screens 2’s defender inside. Teammate 2 dribbles off this screen to his right in direction of the screen. Offensive player 1’s defender switches to 2 as 2 dribble drives to the basket. At the switch offensive player 1 rolls to the basket taking 2’s immediate pass. It is vastly important the ball be passed as the switch is made, since that is when the opening is widest and both defenders are usually focused on the driver.

Screening Away

Diagram 14 - Screening away - The coach is at the head of the key with the ball. Offensive player 5 sets an inside screen for teammate 2 who cuts shoulder to shoulder off 5's screen. If there is no switch, 2 will be free underneath the basket. If defender 5 switches, offensive player 2 should cut straight across the foul lane and teammate 5 should immediately roll to the basket. In that case, the coach would pass to 5 on the offensive roll. (This is another drill you can use to help players to understand how to read the defense.)
Diagram 14 – Screening away – The coach is at the head of the key with the ball. Offensive player 5 sets an inside screen for teammate 2 who cuts shoulder to shoulder off 5’s screen. If there is no switch, 2 will be free underneath the basket. If defender 5 switches, offensive player 2 should cut straight across the foul lane and teammate 5 should immediately roll to the basket. In that case, the coach would pass to 5 on the offensive roll. (This is another drill you can use to help players to understand how to read the defense.)

Taking Advantage of a Switch

Diagram 15 - Taking advantage of a switch - Teammate 5, the center, sets a lateral screen for teammate 2 who dribbles off this screen. Defender 5 switches to pick up 2 and offensive player 5 rolls to the basket. He now has the smaller defender guarding him. He assumes a pivot position to take advantage of the mismatch anticipating a pass from teammate 2. The option here would be to allow 2 to go one on one with a bigger and slower defender while 5 draws defender 2 away from the basket.
Diagram 15 – Taking advantage of a switch – Teammate 5, the center, sets a lateral screen for teammate 2 who dribbles off this screen. Defender 5 switches to pick up 2 and offensive player 5 rolls to the basket. He now has the smaller defender guarding him. He assumes a pivot position to take advantage of the mismatch anticipating a pass from teammate 2. The option here would be to allow 2 to go one on one with a bigger and slower defender while 5 draws defender 2 away from the basket.

Two-Man Game Without Screens

Give and Go

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Diagram 1. Give and Go: 1 passes to 2 faking a cut in 2’s direction to move his own defender. As defender #1 moves, offensive player 1 pushes off his right foot around defender #1 cutting directly toward the basket. Offensive player 2 returns the pass.

Reverse Cut (Backdoor)

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Diagram 2. Reverse Cut (Backdoor): Offensive player 1 has the ball and teammate 2 is on the sideline. Offensive player 2 steps toward teammate 1 with his right foot. As his foot is coming down, teammate 1 fakes the pass. 2’s defender moves out, 2 pushes off his right foot, takes a short step with his left foot, crosses long with the right foot and takes a pass behind his defender.

Inside Cut

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Diagram 3. Inside Cut: Offensive player 2 fakes toward the basket, stepping with his left foot getting his defender’s attention. Offensive 2 pushes off his left foot, takes a short step with the right foot and a long step with the left foot cutting inside his defender taking a pass from his teammate.

Alley-Oop

Diagram 4. Alley-Oop
Diagram 4. Alley-Oop: Offensive player 2 is being guarded by defender #2. Player 2 is in the low-post position facing his teammate 1. His defender, facing player 2 and his arms up cannot see the ball. Offensive player 2 must dummy his defender into thinking he is not going to receive the ball. He must remain without expression, making no movements and not looking directly at the ball. Teammate passes the high toward the rim. Player 2 must move quickly, catching and shooting the ball all in one motion.

Dummy Play Out of Bounds (Argentina)

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Diagram 5. Dummy Play Out of Bounds (Argentina): This is a dandy out-of-bounds play for a big man being guarded by a much smaller opponent.

V-Cut and Inside Hand-off

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Diagram 6. Making a V-cut to the ball, Receiving an inside hand-off: (A) – Making a V-cut to get the ball begins with a fake toward the basket and a push-off with the far foot back toward the ball thus freeing oneself for the ball. This is fhe basic method that any potential pass receiver must use from any location on the court in order to free himself from a close guarding defender.(B) – Any time an offensive player can cut inside his defender and receive a pass within 15 feet of the basket, he is in excellent shooting position and should be given the ball.

Inside Screen

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Diagram 8. Inside Screen: Offensive player 1 has passed to teammate 2 and has moved into position between 2’s defender and the basket. The diagram shows him setting an inside screen.

Inside Hand-off

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Diagram 9. Inside Hand Off: Player 1 has passed to teammate 2 and moved between player 2 and his defender. His teammate gives him an inside hand off and player 1 dribble drives to the basket. Player 1 should alway signal his intention for an inside hand off, perhaps nodding his head as he passes the ball to teammate 2.

Strong-side Cut

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Diagram 7. Strong-side Cut: (A) This play may be made at the strong side forward to strong side guard or it may be made to a forward on the weak side when the ball is in the possession of a guard on the opposite side if the key area is open as in (B).

Split the Post

Skip to the end and watch the kid that shoots the final three point shot. Then keep your eye on that same kid from the beginning.

Do we have a kid that can post up and shoot the three? Oh yes we do.

Now watch all the options and imagine a role best suited to your best threats to score.

What positions would each of you play in this series?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TiZOBHYhig

41-Orange

41-orange.png41-backdoor.pngTry to get 4-man all the way down to “Spain” in transition so he is coming up the lane to the elbow to start the sequence. 4 shouldn’t stop for more than a one-count at the elbow before continuing out to the point guard. When he leaves the elbow empty the weak-side wing can cut to begin the motion. That may open for for a clear back-door cut to the hoop.