7th Grade Boys - looking for a continuity offense to run, we have some good posts and a couple of decent gaurds. We usually run motion with a couple of set plays. I've noticed teams running 4 out 1 in more lately. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dQN5doFcV0. In this video, what determines the movement, cutting,screening,etc.? Is the main purpose to feed the post or pass to the open cutter or hit the open outside shot?

Is this a good offense for man to man or for zone? I would think for man.

Thanks

I'm pretty sure Jay Wright's 4 out 1 in is a motion, not a continuity offense. I don't know what his rules are. All coaches have different rules that make it "their" motion.

Personally I would just run a 4 out 1 in motion and create rules that suit your kids. Here are rules I am currently using for a group of 9th graders...

Keys to Motion Offense

1. Spacing
2. Get ball inside via post touches and dribble penetration
3. Ball reversals
4. Reverse the ball, space, look inside. Reverse the ball, space, look inside. Repeat until you have any easy basket.
5. Movement away from the ball (keep help defense occupied)
6. Ball security (take care of the ball - no turnovers)
7. Get lay ups

Rules

These are the rules that give you the framework to run offense, yet still give you freedom to read, react, and play. The rules give you structure and familiarity. But at any time you can deviate from the rules and "play basketball". In other words, if you have an opening to drive for a lay up, do that. If you see an obvious spot you can cut to for an easy basket, do that. If it doesn't work, find an open spot (for spacing) and try something else.

Perimeter rules
1. Maintain 15-18' spacing between players
2. When you pass, screen away or basket cut
3. Look to reverse the ball
4. Movement away from the ball - do not stand more than 3 seconds (either screen away or basket cut)
5. Catch and face the basket in triple threat (always be an offensive threat)
6. Only 5 man can post
7. Go inside. Get the ball inside by passing to the post and with dribble penetration. At least every 4th pass must touch the postman.
8. Staggered (double) away screens can be used, and encouraged, especially when the ball goes to the corner.

Post rules
1. Run the post triangle
2. Move according to perimeter player movement, but don't just follow the ball. Vary your movement. Use footwork and seal aggressively in post (hold the seal).
3. Reverse the ball from high post
4. When the ball goes inside, look to hit open players for spot up shots

There is no right or wrong cut. Be decisive in what you do and be convinced what you are doing is right. The only way you can be wrong is if you don't do anything or turn the ball over. Our goal is to get lay ups, free throws, and easy shots. We do NOT want turn overs, forced passes, or tough shots.

Zone Adjustments

We run the same offense against zone, except we make a few minor adjustments. For example, for go to a 3 out 2 in look, not matter what zone we face. We look to the middle and short corner.

For more help with motion offense I suggest:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/motionoffense.html

For a good continuity with ball screens, I suggest this (which is on sale right now):
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/Perkins-European-Ball-Screen.html

For a good continuity that uses basket cuts and screen aways, I suggest:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/perkins-open-post-offense.html

With the open post, I would have your post guys stop on the block after coming off the away screen. This is great for player development because everyone learns to post and everyone plays in the perimeter. Excellent for a 7th grade team.

What are favorite or preferred offensive sets to run against 2-3 zone, 1-3-1 zone and man?

Thanks for all the great information in your first response.

When we face man, use use a 4 out 1 in because we have a good post player we can go to on the block and some guards we can spread out on the perimeter.

When facing zone we switch to a 3 out 2 in. One post player is on the low block or shot corner. The other is high in the middle of the lane or near the elbows. We use this same set against any zone (even a 1-3-1).

We don't have an "entry". We just have spots that everyone runs to in our transition offense. If I used an entry, I would probably go 1-4 because it's hard to guard against traps and flexible to run lots of things.

But this is just me. You have to go with what makes sense to you.

Hi Coaches,
Would you share your general practice routine? Ball handling, shooting, offense, defense, drills that you use or recommend.

Thanks - great website!

Typical Daily Routine
1. Warm up / athletic dev - 5 to 10 min
2. Rebounding - 10 min
3. Man defense - 30 min
4. Ball security - 20 min
5. Offensive skills - 20 to 30 min
6. Team offense (transition and half court motion) - 30 min
7. Static stretches

Drills
I'm sure some of these are on the site, but most are in my head. This is just my list I scan over when planning practice.

Defense & Rebounding
Backboard rebounding
Line tipping
3on3 or 4on4 Shell Box Out (3 passes then shoot)
Stance for 1 minute
Stance with hip turn, shuffle, crossover
Quick feet, hip turn, shuffle
Pressure drill (Marshall)
Shell (3on3,4on4,5on5)
Cutthroat shell
3 stops then out, shell, correct all mistakes
Fogler shell drill
3 on 3 ball screens, away screens, basket cuts
Full court 1 on 1
Half court 1 on 1
Close out 1 on 1
2 person sprint to help, close out, 1on1
1 pass away denial
Lane slides
Zig zag 1on1 defense
5on4,4on3 overload
5 on 4 +1
5 on 3 + 2

Skills
Multipurpose offense drill
Multipurpose ballhandling drill
Jump stop drill
Stepping drill, everyone together (ball security - step through for space, back, sweep, back)
Combo chair screen shooting (curl, fade)
Down screen shooting (chair screens)
Basket cuts
Side step dribble under pressure
3 lane rush
3 lane rush with dribble
1 chair pivots (with partner, finish all shots)
Form shooting
Groove shooting
2 ball stationary
5 spot shooting
No Dribble 3 on 3
2 dribble max 3on3, 4on4, 5on5
No dribble 5 on 5
Free throws
Primary cross over move at chair
30 second guard war (xavier drill)
Monkey on the middle
Continuous jump hooks
2 ball weave with traffic
Line in corner, pass coach ball, cut to wing, triple threat
1on1 tight spaces
2on2 type of drills
Elbow reverse

Competitive Skills
Post 1 on 1
Perimeter 1 on 1
Beat the pro (free throws, moves, etc)

Fast Break
Half court attack (fastbreak 1 on 1)
Full court attack (fastbreak 1 on 1)
Half court 2 on 1 attack
Half court 3 on 2 attack
5 on 0 transition (start with annie over)
5 on 4 +1
5 on 3 + 2