Motion Offense:
Layer Four

Introduction

Layer Four is the fourth base layer of our offense. While the actions we will introduce in this layer can stand on their own, many of them can be used coupled with actions taught in previous layers. Layer Four actions can be taught early in the teaching progression and they focus primarily on post play and ball screen actions.

The actions, autos, and reads that should be taught in this layer include:

Seal and Post Split
Post Drive Reads
Drag
Follow
Pistol Keep

It is important to note that these new actions in this layer are meant to build upon what was taught in the previous layer and not replace them. They are new options players can utilize and choices or reads they can make.

Once solid mastery is attained, teams should begin to implement Layer Five of our Motion Offense.

Motion Actions to Introduce:

Drag Screen

In Layer Four, players now have the option to begin an offensive possession with a drag screen.
A drag screen normally occurs in semi-transition when the trailer (#5 in most cases) sets a ball screen for the ball handler (#1 in most cases).
All ball screen reads can be utilized within this action, many which are detailed in a section below.

Follow

In Layer Four, players now have the option to utilize a follow.
A follow occurs when a player passes the ball to a teammate and they follow their pass with a ball screen.
There are two options to decide who can set follow ball screens:
- 1. Who sets follows can be role-defined, or only certain players should set these screens as dictated by the coaches. Generally, this is the best option for our offense.
  2. It can be open-ended and everyone is able to set follows.
All ball screen reads can be utilized within this action, many which are detailed in a section below.
Players off the ball can engage in circle movement on the drive after the ball screen is set.
It is important, especially at the lower levels, that we don't become overly reliant on setting ball screens within our offense.

Spider

A Spider is a ball screen set near the half court line or in the back court to help relieve pressure on the ball handler.
Spider ball screens are not only great to combat pressure, but also to get your best ball handler going downhill with much of the entire half court to operate.
Spiders can be set as entries to our offense. It's important to note that after a Spider, if there's no advantage, #5 can roll into another offense entry like an Away Screen or Rip Screen.
All of our regular ball screen reads that have already been taught apply with this type of screen.

Pistol Keep

As a second option in our Pistol Series, players can run Pistol Keep.
Pistol Keep can be run in semi-transition, as an entry to the offense, or within the flow of our offense when the ball is passed from wing to corner. To simplify options, we can make Pistol Series an auto whenever the ball is passed from wing to corner. However, offense is more effective when it's random.
In Pistol Keep, #3 fakes the handoff with #1. Instead, #5 sets a ball screen for #3.
Players can make any of our ball screen reads within this.
In later layers, we can dictate weak side actions such as making flare screens an auto.

Necessary Reads and Key Teaching Points to Introduce:

Ball Screen Reads

There are many reads that players can make within ball screen action, whether it's a drag screen, follow screen, or any other similar type of action.
Both the screener and the ball handler have several reads at their disposal. Some screener reads that can be taught in this layer are:
- - Pick and Roll: Used when a screener is strong in the post or wants to attack the basket. This also works well against teams who overplay the ball handler coming off the screen.
  - Pick and Pop: Used when a screener is an outside shooting threat. Also works well against teams who sag in the lane or are in drop coverage with ball screens.
  - Slip: Screeners should slip to the rim vs. teams who switch.
CLICK HERE to view other ball screen reads that can be taught later on.

Pick and Roll

Pick and Pop

Slip

Some reads that we should teach the ball handler in this layer are:
- - Turn the Corner: Ball handlers should turn the corner after clearing the ball screen and attack the lane downhill if the defender goes over the top of the ball screen and there's an open path to the lane.
  - Pull-Back Attack: Ball handlers should use this read against teams that high hedge or trap ball screens. The ball handler uses a retreat dribble when the trap or hedge comes. When the trapping or hedging defender recovers back to their man, the ball handler should attack his back with the dribble.
  - Push Through: Ball handlers should use this read if there is a gap between the screener and their defender. This usually happens on a switch or when a hedge or trap defender extends too wide or too early. The ball handler should push the dribble through the gap to attack the opening.
  - Reject: Ball handlers should use this if a defender is overplaying or trying to "blow up" the ball screen. It can also be used if defenders are caught sleeping or over-anticipating the ball screen action. On a reject, the ball handler simply doesn't use the screen and drives the opposite way.
  - Snake: Ball handlers can use the snake dribble to maintain an advantage and keep the defender on their back.

Turn the Corner

Pull-Back Attack

Push Through

Reject

Snake

There are other, more advanced reads, that will be introduced in later teaching progressions. CLICK HERE to view all of our ball screen reads.

Examples of Flow:

Below are examples of how the offense can flow within this teaching layer. While every option and read available to you are not necessarily utilized here, it should give a good representation of what a possession could look like.