If you’ve ever tried to teach motion offense to youth players, you’ve probably felt this tension:

You know motion offense is great for development because it teaches kids HOW to play, but every time you explain it, kids look confused, overwhelmed, or unsure where to go.

In the video below, Division III National Championship coach Matt Lewis, creator of The Linked Up Motion Offense System, offers a simple solution that youth coaches often overlook:

Show it before you teach it.

Why Film Works So Well with Young Players

Coach Lewis points out that many young players are visual learners. They struggle to understand concepts such as spacing, screening, and reads when they’re only explained on a whiteboard or verbally during practice.

Instead of starting with lengthy explanations, he recommends starting with short, focused film clips.

For example:

• Show a few minutes of film that highlights one action, like a down screen

• Watch how players set the screen.

• Watch how the cutter reads it (curl, pop, slip, or dive)

• Then immediately go to the court and practice that exact action

Now players aren’t guessing what you want. They’ve seen the visual goal first.

Teach Motion One Piece at a Time

One of the biggest mistakes youth coaches make is trying to install too much motion offense at once.

Coach Lewis suggests narrowing the focus way down:

• One day might be only down screens

• Work on the screen, the curl, the slip, and the dive.

• That’s it

Not the full offense. Not five different options. Just one action and a few simple reads. Less is more!

Once players get comfortable, you move on. The next practice (or a few days later), you show film of the next action, then repeat the process.

You Don’t Need Fancy Technology

This doesn’t require a film room or expensive setup.

Coach Lewis mentions:

• An iPad

• A TV

• Even a phone with a small group of players

The key isn’t the device — it’s giving players a clear picture(literally) of what success looks like.

Why This Approach Works

When kids see the action first:

• They play with more confidence because they’ve seen it, not just heard it.

• They move with purpose instead of hesitation.

• They learn faster because the game makes sense.

Motion offense stops feeling abstract and starts feeling playable.

If you’re teaching motion to young players, consider flipping the order: Show it. Then teach it. Then play it.

That simple change can make motion offense click — and stick. Learn more about The Linked Up Motion Offense System with Matt Lewis.

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