Unlocking Your Team’s Offense: The 4-Out, 1-In High Post System

Basketball is more than just shooting and dribbling — it’s about movement, spacing, and teamwork. The 4-Out, 1-In Motion Offense is a perfect example of how a team can play smart, dynamic basketball while giving every player a chance to make a difference. And when you place the “1-In” in the high post, the offense becomes even more versatile — effective against both man-to-man and zone defenses.

Whether you’re looking to teach fundamentals, increase basketball IQ, or dominate the floor, this system offers everything you need to create confident, flowing offense.

How the 4-Out, 1-In High Post Offense Works

At its core, the offense is simple:

  • Four players around the perimeter — two guards up top, two wings low.

  • One player in the high post — the central hub for passing, cutting, and decision-making.

The magic of this setup comes from constant movement:

  • Pass → Cut → Fill → Flash to high post → Kick → Drive.

  • Every pass triggers a cut. Every cut opens space. Every flash forces the defense to react.

The high-post player becomes the engine of the offense — making decisions, hitting cutters, or kicking out to shooters. Against zones, this player is even more critical, occupying soft spots like the high post or short corner, forcing defenders to collapse and opening up passing lanes.

Drills to Build Motion and Fundamentals

Here are drills that emphasize cutting, spacing, passing, and high-post reads, while also helping your team attack zone defenses:

1. Pass, Cut, Fill Drill

  • Purpose: Teach movement and spacing.

  • Setup: 4 perimeter players, 1 high post.

  • Action: Player passes → cuts through the lane → fills open spot. High post reads cutter and passes or drives.

  • Zone Variation: Place a cone or defender in the middle to simulate zone gaps. High post must find soft spots before passing.

2. High Post Read & React Drill

  • Purpose: Train high post decision-making.

  • Setup: 3 players (wing, high post, cutter).

  • Action: Wing passes to high post → cutter cuts to the rim → high post reads and reacts (pass, drive, or kick).

  • Coaching Tip: Add a defender to simulate a zone — high post must quickly read the defense and find open players.

3. Inside-Out Shooting Drill

  • Purpose: Develop perimeter shooting off high post passes.

  • Setup: 4 shooters around the arc, 1 high post, 1 rebounder.

  • Action: High post catches → passes out to open shooter → rotate.

  • Zone Variation: Use a cone or defender to simulate defensive pressure — shooters must adjust their angles and timing.

4. Skip & Swing Drill

  • Purpose: Teach ball movement and spacing against zones.

  • Setup: 4 perimeter players, 1 high post.

  • Action: Swing ball side-to-side, skip passes across floor, high post flashes → receives → passes to open player.

  • Coaching Tip: Encourage fast reversals to stretch zone defenders horizontally.

Competitive Small-Sided Games

Nothing teaches movement and spacing like live, competitive play. Here are some small-sided games that reinforce both fundamentals and the high-post reads:

1. 3-on-3 High Post Touch Game

  • Teams must get at least one high-post touch before shooting.

  • Bonus points for baskets scored off high-post passes.

  • Purpose: Reinforces importance of reading the high post and spacing.

2. 4-on-4 Pass & Cut Game

  • Every player who passes must cut through the lane.

  • Shot clock enforced to keep pace.

  • Purpose: Forces continuous movement and teaches timing for passing and cutting.

3. 4-on-4 Zone Attack Game

  • Defense plays a 2-3 or 3-2 zone.

  • Rules:

    • Must reverse the ball at least once per possession

    • Must touch high post

    • Must attack paint at least once

  • Purpose: Train players to find gaps in zones and use the high post as a fulcrum.

4. Cut & Kick Challenge

  • 3v3 or 4v4

  • Drives or passes into the lane must result in a kick-out shot.

  • Bonus points for successful drives and assists.

  • Purpose: Teach inside-out reads and floor spacing under pressure.

Why This System Works

  • Versatile: Effective against both man-to-man and zone defenses.

  • Teaches fundamentals: Passing, cutting, spacing, and shooting.

  • Builds decision-making: Players learn to read and react rather than just run patterns.

  • Promotes teamwork: Everyone touches the ball and contributes to movement.

Final Thoughts

The 4-Out, 1-In High Post Motion Offense is more than just a system — it’s a philosophy of basketball. By emphasizing movement, spacing, and smart reads, your team learns to attack both man and zone defenses with confidence.

Combine these drills and small-sided games, and your players will develop basketball IQ, timing, and fluid teamwork — skills that make any offense unstoppable.

Move the ball, cut with purpose, and trust the high post. When your team flows together, no defense can stop you.

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