I mentioned the other day that I will begin tryouts for a girl's 7th grade BB team. I am not sure if there will be a better guard/dribbler coming out who is not playing on a youth team. This presents a challenge of getting the ball down court to set the MO, especially if they are going to fullcourt press us. There are three tall girls that are better than fair dribblers, but not good enough to consistently bring the ball down court. However, they are good passers. Having said all of this what motion offensive set/s do you recommend I use with this team? Whatever MO Sets you recommend, do you have sample plays that go with them as you did in the e-book with the 4out/1 in MO?

I think you are being too technical with this.

First teach all your kids the same basketball skills and have them practice them for the same amount of time. That not only means teaching your bigs how to dribble but your small some post skills. At their age, in a month your shortest player might be your biggest.

If a kid can dribble, let her bring the ball up the court regardless of how tall she is. Last I checked, there were no height restrictions on positions or who can do what. Let them do what they are able to do.

A motion offense does not have sets or plays. Let the kids figure out what they do well and where they are comfortable and push them to play in those areas. 5 out, 4 out 1 in, 2 out 3 in, it doesn't matter at this point. They do not have to be set up to run it, they only have to know what you are running, they will get there.

Keep in mind that you are just learning this as well. Just as you want your players to find a comfort zone, as you go through the process, you will find a comfort zone as well. Once you find yours, they will find theirs. Your learning experience will also give you great insight into theirs.


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Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First Mike L. says: 10/13/2009 at 2:41:15 AM Attack the basket! Like     login   register Peter says: 1/11/2013 at 8:14:08 AM Great points - I'm guard weak this year but have spent the past 7 years teaching all the same skills to all the same girls on my team. Just don't have a true point guard... My best two ballhandlers are 6'0" and 5'10", my best post players are 6'0" and 5"8" - go figure... And I think the 5"8" girl can take it to people harder and stronger than my 6 footer. All players need and deserve to learn all the skills required of a player. Great article. Like     login   register Tom C. says: 1/24/2015 at 11:02:47 AM I had a similar problem with my middle school girls - very weak dribblers. I always emphasized passing the ball to get it upcourt. This reduced turnovers caused by trying to force the dribble, and showed the girls how much quicker you can advance the ball with the pass. Like     login   register aaliyah says: 10/25/2016 at 4:34:09 PM thaxz Like     login   register

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