Motion Offense:
Layer Six

Introduction

Layer Six focuses on teaching flare screens and flare screen reads. There are many situations where flare screens can and should be utilized. Since setting down screens and setting flare screens occur in similar situations and having both options at the same time may lead to indecisiveness, we reserve adding this action to more advanced layers in our offense. Not all players should receive flare screens, as our goal is to set them for our better shooters. Role definition is important in this regard.

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

Flare Screens
Flare Screen Reads
DHO Flare Auto
Pistol Chase Flare
Pistol Series Flare Autos

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

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

Motion Actions to Introduce:

Flare Screen

In Layer Six, players should learn how to flare screen. Flare screens can occur in three types of situations:

As an auto, players can be taught that after they make a wing to point pass they can receive a flare screen as another option in our offense.
As players become more advanced, they may set flare screens outside of the passing auto randomly within the offense.
As an auto on a drive, DHO, or Pistol Series.

Flare screens should be used to open up shooters. They also exploit pack line and switching defense teams. It's important to know our personnel when calling for and setting flare screens, as not every player should be on the receiving end of this action due to their skill sets.

Auto Flare Screen

When a player passes from wing to point, they can receive a flare screen as an auto.
Flare screens should be set inside the 3 point line around the elbow, as indicated in the area in yellow on the diagram. The screener generally should have his back to the corner when setting the screen.
The screener and cutter must read how the defense is guarding them and take action accordingly. All screen reads are detailed in a section below.

Delay Flare Screen

More advanced teams within Motion don't need to wait for a pass to auto a flare screen. Instead, they can set it within the flow of the offense.
To avoid both sides of the floor from setting flare screens at the same time and compromising our spacing, we can use the Delay concept. Within Delay action, #5 (or whoever is occupying the point) can auto which side engages in action by turning and facing that side. In the diagram to the left, #5 triggers the right side into action by turning to that side.

DHO Flare Auto

Once flare screens are introduced in Layer Six, a great way to utilize them is as an auto when there are driving actions on the opposite side of the floor.
A great option to utilize auto flare screens is on DHO action.
Flare screens on the weak side engage help defenders off the ball which will either open up the floor for the driver or get a shooter open for a drive/kick.

Pistol Chase Flare

Pistol Chase was added to our offense in Layer Three.
A common action to couple Pistol Chase with is a flare screen for the player that handed the ball off to the original ball handler.
In this case, #1 and #3 engaged in Chase Action. After the handoff, #5 set a flare screen for #3.
#3 and #5 should react to the defense and decide upon the proper flare screen read as detailed in a section below.
We can also auto a weak side flare screen on the drive as well, as detailed below.

Pistol Series Flare Autos

Just like DHOs can auto flare screens on the weak side, the same thing can be done in just about any Pistol Series action we run.
In this situation diagrammed to the left, players run Pistol Keep and set a flare screen auto on the weak side.

Necessary Reads and Key Teaching Points to Introduce:

Flare Screen Reads

There are several different reads that players should know how to make while setting and using flare screens:
- 1. Fade and Pop: The cutter should fade when the defender runs into the screen or goes under it. Generally, the screener should dive in this situation.
  2. Fade and Reverse: On a fade cut the screener can also step out to the perimeter as a second cut to reverse the ball.
  3. Tight Cut and Pop: The cutter should tight cut the flare screen when the defender chases them over the top of it. In this situation, the screener should pop.
  4. Slip: A screener can slip the screen before setting it vs. teams that switch or if their defender is trailing behind them as they set the screen.

Fade and Dive

Fade and Reverse

Tight Cut and Pop

Slip

Examples of Flow:

Below is an example 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.