Basketball Offense Basics Part 1
Lets learn a basic of offense today!
First, coaches are infatuated with patterns. That is not a bad thing, but it is a thing. When coaches see things that are innovative, new and involve multiple cuts, they are drawn to it.
The offense also has a variety of options if there's heavy pressure from the defense. If the initial wing-pass by the guard isn't available, the triangle can be created on the other side by passing to the other guard, who then passes to the weak-side forward (who then becomes the strong-side wing). The guard, who initially had the ball, then cuts to the other corner. The center or the pressured wing can flash to the opposite post. If the guard-to-guard pass is not available, the weak-side forward can make a similar flash cut that was mentioned earlier. That also creates many cutting opportunities. If there is heavy pressure on everybody, the center can release the pressure by cutting to the high post for a pass by the ball-handling guard. That would also create space for possible cuts.
From Don KelbickWhat is a game card? It is a card that has all of the plays that you have active in your game plan. Sometimes it is difficult to remember all of your options in the heat of the game. Having a game card to look at will help you be prepared for all situations. I organize my game card by player, plays that will get my 5 man a shot, 4 man, etc. I have found it to be very effective when we need to get someone a shot or if we need a basket.
I’m a basketball coach, skill development trainer, and Co-Owner of Breakthrough Basketball. I currently live in Marion, Iowa with my wife, two kids, and our golden retriever (Izzy).
Now you begin to see the rules create the continuity of actions that Wisconsin’s Swing is knowm for. If the ball is fully reversed to the wing, it would trigger the weakside exchange. If it did not go inside, it would then trigger the UCLA cut off the up-screen. And if it went back to the slot, the flex cut is triggered.
3. *Basic Motion Offense for Middle School / High School Teams – This is possibly the most basic of the motion offenses. Very easy to learn, very effective when executed properly. Included below are video clips of both the animated and live versions of these youth basketball plays, and a handout.
It is said that “plays don’t win championships, players do.” But the fundamental, cerebral, skilled and disciplined players running the Swing have created a hyper-efficient offense that is on the brink of claiming a title.
If you prefer to have players flash to high post, then in the 5 out give them the option to flash to high post when they are on the weakside corner. Teach them to cut to high post when the defender turns their head. If they don’t get the ball in a 3-5 count, clear out to weakside or back screen for a strong side player to get back to 5 out spots.
There is also a quick hitter option if you have an athletic 4 or 5 that can cut. We ran this in high school scored 3-4 times a game. After the first pass goes to the 4 or 5 a few times and the defense starts to try and deny the pass to the high post, the 4/5 can cut backdoor to the hoop for an easy layup. Sometimes, just the eye contact between the 1 and the 4/5 is enough for them to spin back door and catch an alley-oop or backdoor pass.
The offense also has a variety of options if there's heavy pressure from the defense. If the initial wing-pass by the guard isn't available, the triangle can be created on the other side by passing to the other guard, who then passes to the weak-side forward (who then becomes the strong-side wing). The guard, who initially had the ball, then cuts to the other corner. The center or the pressured wing can flash to the opposite post. If the guard-to-guard pass is not available, the weak-side forward can make a similar flash cut that was mentioned earlier. That also creates many cutting opportunities. If there is heavy pressure on everybody, the center can release the pressure by cutting to the high post for a pass by the ball-handling guard. That would also create space for possible cuts.
From Don KelbickWhat is a game card? It is a card that has all of the plays that you have active in your game plan. Sometimes it is difficult to remember all of your options in the heat of the game. Having a game card to look at will help you be prepared for all situations. I organize my game card by player, plays that will get my 5 man a shot, 4 man, etc. I have found it to be very effective when we need to get someone a shot or if we need a basket.
I’m a basketball coach, skill development trainer, and Co-Owner of Breakthrough Basketball. I currently live in Marion, Iowa with my wife, two kids, and our golden retriever (Izzy).
Now you begin to see the rules create the continuity of actions that Wisconsin’s Swing is knowm for. If the ball is fully reversed to the wing, it would trigger the weakside exchange. If it did not go inside, it would then trigger the UCLA cut off the up-screen. And if it went back to the slot, the flex cut is triggered.
3. *Basic Motion Offense for Middle School / High School Teams – This is possibly the most basic of the motion offenses. Very easy to learn, very effective when executed properly. Included below are video clips of both the animated and live versions of these youth basketball plays, and a handout.
It is said that “plays don’t win championships, players do.” But the fundamental, cerebral, skilled and disciplined players running the Swing have created a hyper-efficient offense that is on the brink of claiming a title.
If you prefer to have players flash to high post, then in the 5 out give them the option to flash to high post when they are on the weakside corner. Teach them to cut to high post when the defender turns their head. If they don’t get the ball in a 3-5 count, clear out to weakside or back screen for a strong side player to get back to 5 out spots.
There is also a quick hitter option if you have an athletic 4 or 5 that can cut. We ran this in high school scored 3-4 times a game. After the first pass goes to the 4 or 5 a few times and the defense starts to try and deny the pass to the high post, the 4/5 can cut backdoor to the hoop for an easy layup. Sometimes, just the eye contact between the 1 and the 4/5 is enough for them to spin back door and catch an alley-oop or backdoor pass.
