Motion offense teaches movement and decision-making without memorized plays. Players learn spacing, cutting, and when to shoot or pass.
Equipment needed: One basketball, one half court, 5 offensive players, 5 defenders.
Setup: Half court with five offensive players in a box (high posts) and one in the center. Five defenders in man-to-man.
How to run it:
- Players pass and move. After each pass, the passer cuts or relocates.
- Cutter must go a certain direction (baseline, middle, top), then come out to space.
- If a cutter is open, the passer finds them. If not, the ball keeps moving.
- Offense tries to shoot when they have a good look.
- Play for 25 minutes continuous, with defenders going live.
What to look for: Decision-making and reading defense. Do they pass into the cutter early enough? Do they shoot when open or overdribble?
Variation: For younger kids (13), use stationary defenders (no help, just straight man-to-man). For older kids (14), add defensive help so the offense has to move the ball quickly.