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Motion Offense:
Introduction
Introduction
Layer Two is the second layer to our offense and should be introduced in the early stages of offense implementation. Due to the intricacy and variability involved in mastering actions and reads in this layer, it may take teams longer to fully grasp these concepts than what is taught in other layers within our offense. While many of these concepts are advanced, implementing them early in our progressions is essential for future actions we will teach to be effective.
The actions, autos, and reads that should be taught in this layer include:
Down Screens
Away Screens
Rip Screens
Basic Screen Reads
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 of this layer is attained, teams should begin to implement Layer Three of our Motion Offense next.
Motion Actions to Introduce:
Motion Actions to Introduce:
Down Screen
Down Screen
In Layer Two, players should learn how to down screen. Down screens can occur in two types of situations:
As an auto, players can be taught that after they make a wing to point pass they can down screen as a second option to pass and cut (taught in Layer One).
As players become more advanced, they may set down screens outside of the passing auto and randomly within the flow of the offense. Down screens can also be triggered by our Delay Series.
Auto Down Screen
Auto Down Screen
When a player passes from wing to point, they can set a down screen as an auto.
Down screens should be set in the area indicated by yellow shading on the diagram to the left. Ideally, the down screen is set inside the 3 point line, in line with the top of the block.
The screener and cutter must read how the defense is guarding them and take action accordingly. All screen reads are detailed in the section below.
Delay Down Screen
Delay Down Screen
More advanced teams within Motion don't need to wait for a pass to trigger a down screen. Instead, they can set it within the flow of the offense.
To avoid both sides of the floor from setting down 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 autos the right side into action by turning to that side as indicated by the yellow marking on the court showing which side he is facing.
Away Screen
Away Screen
In Layer Two, players should learn how to away screen (formerly known as nail screens). Away screens should be set when the wing's defender is guarding them inside the 3 point line. Away screens can occur in three types of situations:
As an auto, players can be taught that after they make a point to wing pass they can away screen as a second option to pass and cut (taught in Layer One).
They can happen within the flow of the offense when teams are more advanced.
Away screens can also be used as an entry to start the offensive possession.
Auto Away Screen
Auto Away Screen
When a player passes from the point to the wing, they can set an away screen as an auto.
Away screens are best set in the alley, or the area shaded in the diagram between the elbow and the wing.
The screener and cutter must read how the defense is guarding them and take action accordingly. All screen reads are detailed in the section below and are the same as down screen reads.
Away screens can also happen randomly within the flow of the offense by more advanced teams.
Entry Away Screen
Entry Away Screen
Away screens can be set as an entry to a Motion possession.
This is a great way to get the action started and to auto other Motion actions, especially ones detailed in later layers.
If #5 pops to the top of the key and receives an entry pass from #1, this could trigger Delay actions as detailed in more advanced layers.
Rip Screen
Rip Screen
Rip screens are back screens. They are also reads that players should make when setting an away screen. If the wing's defender is denying them outside of the 3 point line, the screener should change the angle of the screen and turn it into a rip screen.
Rip screens can be set in three situations:
As an auto, players can be taught that after they make a point to wing pass they can rip screen as a second option to pass and cut (taught in Layer One).
Randomly within the flow of the offense.
Rip screens can also be used as an entry to start the offensive possession.
Auto Rip Screen
Auto Rip Screen
When a player passes from the point to the wing, they can set a rip screen as an auto.
Rip screens are best set along the 3 point line.
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.
Due to how the defense is being played and considering the reason for setting a rip screen, generally the cutter moves towards the basket and the screener pops back to the 3 point line.
Rip screens can also be set randomly within the flow of the offense by more advanced teams.
Entry Rip Screen
Entry Rip Screen
Rip screens can be set as an entry to a Motion possession.
This is a great way to get the action started and to auto other Motion actions, especially ones detailed in later layers.
If #5 pops to the top of the key and receives an entry pass from #1, this could trigger Delay actions as detailed in more advanced layers.
Necessary Reads and Key Teaching Points to Introduce:
Necessary Reads and Key Teaching Points to Introduce:
Teaching Screens:
Teaching Screens:
Effective screening is hard to teach but essential to running a quality offense. Through our teaching, we must hold players accountable to setting good screens and making the right reads. Some major teaching points in our screening game, regardless of the types of screens we're setting, are:
Screens must be legal and utilize proper technique. Coaches will teach this when instructing players on screening.
Screeners need to hunt bodies and make contact on their screens.
Cutters must use screens by waiting for the screener to pop their feet and by running their defender into the screen. Cutters have to connect with and touch the screen before making their reads. We are not looking for players to simply interchange, leaving gaps open between the cutter and the screener making it easy for the defense to navigate through.
Most screen read options are the same regardless of the type of screen that is being set, with a few exceptions.
As with basic cuts, it's important that cutters make a late cut deep into the lane and through the NBA charge circle in order to be open.
There are several important steps that need to be completed in order for screens to be impactful:
The screener must communicate the screen both verbally and physically. They should say "screen" and call out their teammate's name that they're screening for. They must also raise their fist in the air to indicate to their teammate that a screen is coming.
The screener has the first right of refusal. This means that the intended target of the screen must not use the screen until the screener pops their feet. First right of refusal also means that the screener has the right to slip the screen or set a ghost screen before popping their feet.
After the screener pops their feet, the cutter now dictates the action. The cutter must read the defense and move accordingly.
Finally, after the cutter makes their decision, the screener must second cut in a direction opposite of cut made by the person they screened for.
Screen Reads and Second Cutting:
Screen Reads and Second Cutting:
Tight Cut and Pop:
Tight Cut and Pop:
A tight cut is a basic curl screen. We use the term tight cut to emphasize how closely the cutter should curl around the screener.
A tight cut should be made when a defender is trailing behind a cutter around the screen.
After the cutter makes a tight cut, the screener should pop back.
Below are some examples of tight cuts that can be used in the following types of screens introduced in Layer Two.
Down - Tight - Pop
Down - Tight - Pop
Away - Tight - Pop
Away - Tight - Pop
Rip - Tight - Pop
Rip - Tight - Pop
Fade Cut and Dive:
Fade Cut and Dive:
A fade cut should be made when a defender tries to go under the screen.
After the cutter uses the screen and fades, the screener should dive to the rim. In a way, a good effective dive can also serve as a sort of second screen if they get in the way of the cutter's defender while they're diving to the rim.
Below are some examples of fade cuts that can be used in the types of screens introduced in Layer Two.
Down - Fade - Dive
Down - Fade - Dive
Away - Fade - Dive
Away - Fade - Dive
Back Cut and Pop:
Back Cut and Pop:
A back cut can be made if the defender tries to overplay and deny the cutter over the top of the screen.
After the cutter makes a back cut, the screener should pop back.
Below are some examples of back cuts that can be used in the types of screens introduced in Layer Two.
Down - Back Cut - Pop
Down - Back Cut - Pop
Away - Back Cut - Pop
Away - Back Cut - Pop
Rip - Back Cut - Pop
Rip - Back Cut - Pop
Slipping Screens:
Slipping Screens:
When teams switch screens, an effective way to combat this is to slip. Screeners can also slip if their defender is trailing behind them as they are setting a screen even without a switch coverage. The screener can quickly pop his feet and slip or cut directly into a slip without popping their feet.
When a screener slips, the intended screen target can hold in their spot or they can make a straight cut.
Slipping a screen can be used in the following types of screens introduced in Layer Two. CLICK HERE for more advanced strategies vs. switching defenses.
Down - Slip
Down - Slip
Away - Slip
Away - Slip
Rip - Slip
Rip - Slip
Other Screen Reads:
Other Screen Reads:
There are other, more advanced, screen reads that can be made in other layers. CLICK HERE to view those read options.
Examples of Flow:
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.
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Motion Progression:
Motion Progression:
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