I am coaching a 4th grade girls travel basketball team with "B" division talent for the most part. I have been almost exclusively working on drills yet I have been peppering in some aspects of the motion offense at specific times in the practices. When we scrimmage we really have a hard time getting "into position" for a motion offense. I have used the dots on the floor, I have tried different drills but it seems we just cannot get into the offesne. We just seem to end up with the dribbler over dribbling then we end up yelling for the ball. I am running a 3 out 2 in motion offense. Is there a set that you would recommend for this scenario that flows easily into a 3-2?
PS - The league mandates that we must play man defense (YEAH!)

Tough age group, maybe you would be better off with an open post offense? ( 5 out) then just pass and cut motion at this age?

Thanks coach...I thought of that (and actually ran that last year with a 6th grade girls team) but I found that since no one can even hit an outside shot (16+ footer) that having all 5 girls that far from the basket would not be benificial. The "triple threat" turms into a double threat. Besides I have at least two girls who are taller and could take advantage of "roaming the triangle" as I call it (block to foul line to block).

Even regardless of the motion I run, I still have the problem of getting into the positions. Would you recommend a stack set, a 1-4 set, etc and why?

Coach,

Here's an option for you to consider, that goes along with what Coach Sar suggests...

Run the Open Post 5 Out Offense. I think spots are easier to remember and spacing is a little easier. Put tape on the floor, after you cut find an open tape. I have never had trouble teaching this offense. It doesn't happen overnight but with a little practice it always seems to work pretty decent.

Now I agree that getting post touches is a good thing. And in fact I think all your players should get touches in the post and perimeter. I like how Lason Perkins teaches the Open Post. He has a really simple cut and pass series. Then a screen away series. Very simple. Spacing is always the same. What I would do is when players screen away, give them the option to stop on the block and post up. In other words the person that gets screened for stops on the block and posts up. This allows all your players to get opportunities to cut, catch on the perimeter, screen, and post up. It's an effective offense and also is good for player development. Of course, remember to let the kids "play" too and give them some freedom in the offense. Here's the link to Lason Perkins Open Post:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/perkins-open-post-offense.html

Anyway, that is just an idea for you to consider. Also, here are some spacing drills:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/basicspacingdrill.html
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/advancedspacingdrill.html
7 V 5 Passing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8JOuqvb5VBI#!
Volley Ball Passing - Use the volleyball court lines between the 10-foot line and the end line as the boundaries and divide players into two four-man teams. Play a passing game to 100 completed passes with no dribble. On a turnover, the player who committed the turnover runs out of bounds and runs a lap around the court before re-entering the game (if a team has a sub, the player runs the lap, tags his teammate, and the sub enters the game). The score continues: teams pick up at their previous score when they committed a turnover. Teaching Points: Pass and cut; spread the court; be strong with the ball; pivot and see the court.

Ok Jeff, I am convinced! I have the DVD that you referenced but I will add to it the philosophy you mention around posting up.

So in the 5-out should I have the girls come to the foul line ever in a high post situation?

Lastly...and sorry to harp on this point...do you have a suggested "set" that will aide us in getting into position as the point guard crosses half court (we are not allowed to play defense in the back-court)? This continues to be the biggest struggle, how do we get into the Open Post formation?
(Keep in mind the limited ability and attention span present in 4th graders)

I don't think I would mess with the high post because generally the rule is to basket cut. If sometimes they go to high post that might cause confusion. The low post is close to the basket so that should be easier.

For sets to get into it you could go a lot of direction. I never had problem getting it when we ran it. We would just have point at top with the ball, two wings, and two players in the corner (someone on each piece of tape to start). Then the point guard knew to either look at the left wing or right wing (what ever they wanted). Then if the point guard looked at you, cut to the basket. Then next player coming up is usually open. If not, the next player should be opening. Just keep cutting in (like a wheel) and eventually someone is always open.

If that doesn't work I would try to keep the set similar to the 5 out formation. I think Lason Perkins has some of those sets on his DVD. The easiest that comes to mind is the stack in the post. Bottom player goes to wing, top player goes to corner. Does that help?

Yes, I think I got it. I will watch the DVD tonight again and reread the e-Book. We only have 2 one-hour practices a week but I will let you know what happens.
Thanks for the feedback!

We started our open post a little higher, reason was to give us some more bad door looks..

If you come down the floor spread out, it seems to me that it would be easy to get into the offense... and I agree.. stay away from the high post, that will only make the middle congested....

If they are pressuring the ball and denying one pass away, take the ball to the basket... wings can fill lanes for back door lay ups or SHORT range shots. IF they are allowing passes to the wings, pass, make a V cut and then cut to the basket - hopefully in FRONT of your defender.

Just some other thoughts.

Thanks coach! I am feeling better already.

Unless you are playing against a super charged fully attentive 4th grade defense, I would make sure they master at least the pass and basket cut offensive.

I think the other coaches advice of 5 out is very sound at this age.

All of your players then will have the chance to dribble facing the basket and just be pigeon-holed to a post position based on height.

Have a great season!