10 Drills to Teach the 10 Rules of a Great Motion Offense

 

1️⃣ Spacing — “Don’t crowd the dance floor.”

Drill: 4-Out Spacing Shell

• 4 players around the perimeter (1 top, 2 wings, 1 corner).

• Coach or manager at the top initiates a drive or swing pass.

• Players must “drift,” “fill,” or “circle” to maintain 12–15 feet spacing.

• Use cones to mark correct spacing zones.
  Focus: Constant awareness of where teammates are.
  Cue: “If you can touch someone, you’re too close!”

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2️⃣ Pass and Move — “Don’t pass and watch.”

Drill: Pass–Cut–Replace Game (3v0 or 3v3)

• 3 players pass, cut hard to the rim, and fill the open spot.

• Add defenders once players understand spacing.

• Require players to say “cutting!” as they go to reinforce communication.
  Focus: Move immediately after passing.
  Cue: “Pass → Move → Replace.”

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3️⃣ Ball Reversal — “Make the defense guard both sides.”

Drill: 4v4 Continuous Reversal

• 4v4 in half-court; offense must reverse the ball side to side before shooting.

• Count how many reversals happen before the defense breaks down.
  Focus: Patient ball movement, skip passes, quick decisions.
  Cue: “If the ball doesn’t change sides, neither does the defense.”

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4️⃣ Get Touches Inside — “The ball must touch the paint.”

Drill: Paint Touch Challenge (4v4)

• Offense gets 1 point every time the ball touches the paint (via drive, post entry, or cutter).

• Bonus point if the possession ends in a kick-out 3 or layup.
  Focus: Paint penetration and inside-out rhythm.
  Cue: “Inside touch = outside shot.”

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5️⃣ Read the Defense — “Don’t run plays. Make plays.”

Drill: Read & React 3v3

• Defender dictates the read (denies, sags, or overplays).

• Offensive player must react: backdoor, pop, or curl.
  Focus: Teaching reading the defender instead of running a preset pattern.
  Cue: “Read it, don’t run it.”

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6️⃣ Screen with Purpose — “Free someone, then free yourself.”

Drill: Screen & Slip Decision Game (2v2)

• One screener, one cutter, two defenders.

• Can also use the 3 man drill mentioned above and instead of cutting, have the passer wither set a ball screen or a screen for the opposite player.

• Offense must decide whether to hold the screen, slip early, or re-screen based on defensive pressure.
  Focus: Proper screening angles, timing, communication.
  Cue: “Screen to help a teammate — move to help yourself.”

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7️⃣ Cut Hard — “Every cut is a scoring cut.”

Drill: 3-Line Cutting Drill

• Three lines: top, wing, and corner.

• Pass and cut in rotation — every cut to the rim at full speed, finishing with a layup or seal.

• Add defenders to make it live.
  Focus: Sharp, aggressive, full-speed cuts.
  Cue: “Cut like you expect the ball.”

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8️⃣ Quick Decisions — “Hold it, and the defense wins.”

Drill: 0.5 Second Decision Game (3v3)

• Every player must shoot, pass, or drive within 0.5 seconds of catching.

• Use a visible shot clock or verbal count.
  Focus: Fast decision-making, anticipation, confidence.
  Cue: “Catch ready — react fast.”

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9️⃣ Move Without the Ball — “Stay a threat.”

Drill: Off-Ball Relocation Drill (3v0 → 3v3)

• After every drive or pass, players must “drift,” “lift,” or “fill” an open spot.

• Add a defense to force players to read spacing.
  Focus: Active movement without disrupting spacing.
  Cue: “Stay in motion — stay in rhythm.”

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🔟 Play Together — “Five players, one rhythm.”

Drill: 5v5 Continuous Motion Game

• Full or half-court scrimmage with motion rules only (no set plays).

• Reward possessions with 3+ reversals, paint touches, or assisted baskets.
  Focus: Communication, trust, rhythm, and flow.
  Cue: “Five players, one heartbeat.”

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Coaching Tips

• Add constraints to shape habits (e.g., “must cut after every pass” or “must reverse twice before shooting”).

• Keep the defense live — players learn better when they have to react to pressure.

• Celebrate the right things: good cuts, extra passes, and paint touches — not just made shots.

• Use video feedback: show players how spacing and timing open scoring opportunities.

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✅ Summary:

“Drills don’t just build skills — they build habits.
The more your team moves with purpose, the more your motion offense will move the scoreboard.”