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Breakthrough Basketball’s: Motion Offense

Written By: Don Kelbick

Edited by: Joe Haefner Jeff Haefner

www.BreakthroughBasketball.com

Copyright Notice All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic or mechanical. Any unauthorized use, sharing, reproduction, or distribution is strictly

prohibited.

© Copyright 2008 Breakthrough Basketball, LLC

Limits / Disclaimer of Warranty The authors and publishers of this book and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in

preparing this book. The authors and publishers make no representation or warranties with respect to the

accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this book. They disclaim any warranties

(expressed or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The authors and publishers

shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages, including but not limited to special,

incidental, consequential, or other damages. This manual contains material protected under International

and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited.

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Table of Contents

Foreword by Jeff Haefner................................................................................................ 4 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 5 What is a Motion Offense?.............................................................................................. 7 Advantages of a Motion Offense ..................................................................................... 8 Disadvantages of a Motion Offense .............................................................................. 11 Elements of a Motion Offense ....................................................................................... 12 Coaching a Motion Offense........................................................................................... 28 Implementing The Motion.............................................................................................. 32 Types Of Motion Offenses............................................................................................. 33 A Sample Motion Offense ............................................................................................. 41 Teaching the Motion Offense ........................................................................................ 48 Motion Offense Against a Zone..................................................................................... 78 Key Points ..................................................................................................................... 84 Advice for Youth Coaches............................................................................................. 86 Frequently Asked Questions ......................................................................................... 91 Summary....................................................................................................................... 94

© Copyright 2008 Breakthrough Basketball, LLC http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com

Forward 4

Foreword by Jeff Haefner READ THIS SECTION FIRST! As you read this fantastic motion offense eBook written by Don Kelbick, I urge you to take your time and read EVERY word. Do NOT skip around. You’ll find hidden nuggets and jewels of priceless information about motion offense sprinkled all throughout this eBook. If you try to jump around you’ll miss very important concepts and details that you need to know. Resist your urge to jump ahead. Sit down, take your time, and read the whole thing through. You’ll be glad you did. In fact, you should read this entire book more than once. Each time I read through this eBook, I seem to get another “light bulb, ah ha” moment. Don really did do a good job of thinking things through. He kept it really simple, yet advanced at the same time. As you complete the eBook, the explanations might seem too simple. But the fact is that everything you need is in this eBook. If you don’t “get it” yet, then read through the book again. You’ll probably realize the second time through that Don really does answer your questions. That’s what happened to me. I had many questions after getting through the book. But as I read through it again, I realized the answers were in there and I didn’t even know it. I hope you enjoy this motion offense eBook and it helps you as a coach. I know it helped me! As always, if you have any questions or need anything at all, let us know. Sincerely, Jeff Haefner

Introduction 5

Introduction Coaches are constantly looking for ways to maximize their coaching talents and learn new coaching techniques. They are always looking for ways to be creative and give them an edge over their opponent. At the same time, many coaches subscribe to the “KISS” philosophy - Keep It Simple Stupid. There is no offense simpler; there is no offense more creative than the Motion Offense. The Motion Offense has been on the basketball scene for a long time. Since James Naismith put up his peach baskets in Springfield, Massachusetts, players have been passing and cutting, making decisions and taking options. For most of us, the latest incarnation came on the scene in the 1960’s when Dean Smith developed his “passing game” featuring Larry Brown. Shortly after that, Bob Knight left West Point and arrived at Indiana with his “motion offense.” They were innovative and revolutionary. There were no play calls, there were no pre-designed cuts. There was just a lot of passing and screening. Players were given some freedom to exhibit their skills and opponents complained about its unpredictability. The motion offense is unbelievably simple. So simple that coaches often inhibit the offense by adding complexity to it. I remember going to a coaching clinic when I was a 22 year old novice coach. I was very excited. Among others on the same program were John Wooden of UCLA, Indiana’s Bob Knight and Dean Smith of North Carolina. Having the opportunity to learn from Coach Wooden was a special opportunity. But, I was really looking forward to listening to Coach Smith and Coach Knight. Coach Smith spoke of passing and cutting, screening and backdoors. He did not present a single play, not one call, no play names, no numbers. He spoke of another of his innovations, the “point guard.” A large majority of teams played with 2 guards in the backcourt. Smith’s 1-3-1 Passing Game used a single ball handler. Larry Brown, Phil Ford, Jimmy Black are all examples of Coach Smith’s point guard system. I remember a coach in the back of the room standing up to ask a question. “Coach, you have great ball handlers,” he said, “what would you do if you didn’t have a great guard to handle the ball. Would you then use 2 guards?” Smith’s answer gave great insight into the mind that developed the unique offense. Smith said, “I would still run with a point guard. I would rather have 1 bad guy back there than 2 bad guys.” He was thinking differently than most coaches.

Introduction

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Bob Knight’s motion was a little different, mostly because of the positions he filled and his emphasis on screening to the baseline, but more so, it was the same. Passing, screening and cutting. He spoke of freedom and teaching players to make their own decisions. I could not believe it. This was Coach Knight, the tyrant! The man who everyone said wanted to control everything. Speak to people who are familiar with Coach Knight’s system, speak to his players and they will tell you that he was very demanding and relentless in his pursuit of perfection. Most of his demands, as a team, we directed at his defense but allowed a great deal of freedom and allowed his players to play on offense. He was very exact with what he taught on offense and very specific with his rules. But, once the ball was in play, he let his players play. I remember very clearly leaving the clinic thinking about Coach Smith’s and Coach Knight’s presentations. I thought of how different they were but how much they were the same. I couldn’t help thinking, “Is that all there is? They are so good, they play so well. There has to be something more to it.” As my career progressed, I realized there was nothing more. That was it. It was just like we learned to play in the parks, no offense, no plays, just playing. As my career progressed, I went more and more to the motion. But, every time I tried to complicate it, to exert too much control, it did not run well. Trust is a big part of the motion offense, trust in the offense, and trust in your players. I now believe that the motion is the only offense I need. In this e-book I will try to present what I believe are the important aspects of the motion, the way I teach it, the pros and the cons, the problems and the advantages. It in no way is meant as the definitive thesis on the subject, only my feelings, opinions and methods. I believe in them because I have had a lot of success with it. Other coaches have success using different methods and philosophies. You should use what is best for you. One of the challenges in putting together this presentation is how to relay something so simple in writing. If at times it seems complex, I assure you it is not. Some things are left to your interpretation. Put it on the floor and see what happens. When all else fails do what I do, let ‘em play and learn from your players.

© Copyright 2008 Breakthrough Basketball, LLC http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com

Motion Offense 7

What is a Motion Offense? What is a motion offense? Don’t all offenses have motion? These are good questions. Yes, all offenses should have some type of motion to them. But where does that motion come from? If there are a series of pre-planned cuts and passes, then what you have is some type of set offense. It can be a continuity offense, such as a shuffle offense, or a system offense, such as the UCLA High-Low Post. It could be a quick hitter offense, with 1 or 2 passes and a couple of cuts designed to get a particular player a shot in a designated place. There are any number of set or patterned offenses. Each offense is different from the next, yet similar at the same time. A motion offense is a free form offense that has no pre-planned cuts or passes. Rather, it has rules and options. Motion offenses are often called “Read and React” offenses where set offenses have pre designed passes and cuts, a motion offense gives players a choice of what to do depending on what the player sees the defense do. No two motion offenses are alike. One motion offense can change from game to game, even half to half, depending on how it is defended. Pass and screen, pass and cut, curl and pop, inside-out, flare and cut. This is the language of the motion offense. A motion offense uses the skills of its players and tries to mesh them into a 5-man blur that is difficult to defend. While there are great players playing inside of motion offenses, the true trait of a good motion offense is the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A lesser player uses the strengths of the stronger players to raise the level of his game. Each player is called upon to do only what he is good at and depends on his teammates to help him do so. He, in turn, helps his teammates do what they excel at. The key to motion offenses is constant movement. Not just one player moving, but all players and the ball moving. Not just moving but moving with a purpose. Each cut predicates an action by the other 4 players. Each defensive overplay dictates a counter by the offense. Motion offenses are simple and fun to play. With the right attitudes and group of players, a motion offense can be an effective and potent weapon.

Advantages of Motion 8

Advantages of a Motion Offense The advantages of a motion offense are almost too many to count. With as many as appear here, I am sure that everyone who runs a motion can come up with 2 or 3 that that are not listed. Here are some common advantages.

Difficult to Scout A motion offense is different every time down the floor. With ever improving technology, expanding staffs, increasing visibility through the use of media and film, scouting has become so precise that it is difficult to run a play without the defense anticipating two cuts in advance has become almost impossible. Through my scouting experience, I know teams are picked apart play by play. Coaches collect calls and keys, match them to their own terminology, relay that information to the players on the court and the players instantly relate it to their scouting sessions. The offense is now running a play that the defense has seen so many times before that they may know the play as well as the offense. A motion offense renders all of that scouting work useless and really limits the value of scouting your team all together. Because it is a free form, read and reaction offense, no 2 possessions are alike. The defense may be waiting for a pass and screen away and the offense runs a pass and go. The absence of play calls causes uncertainty on the part of the defense and erodes their confidence. Lack of defensive confidence eventually leads to easy baskets.

Flexibility A motion offense provides the team unlimited flexibility in every offensive area. The offense adapts to your personnel. Want to play 5 guards, you can. Want to play 3 posts, you can. As long as the players play within their limitations, any alignment, any philosophy, any skill set becomes a part of the offense without having to re-teach or re-learn the offense. If you are ahead, late in the game, a motion offense adapts to slow the game down and run the clock. If you are behind and need some quick buckets, a motion offense can provide you with good shots for your best shooters. Zone defenses pose no problem for a motion offense. With a motion offense’s emphasis on spacing, teams can play against any type of zone with little or no adjustment.

Advantages of Motion 9

Efficiency While your team might have some other plays and might do a few other things offensively, if you run a motion offense it should be your primary offense. One of the biggest benefits is that no matter what you are practicing, you are always practicing your motion. Once your rules and philosophy are installed, you really don’t have to have a specific “motion practice” in your practice plan. Whenever you are practicing anything, you are practicing your motion. In 3-man defensive practice drills, run a 3-man motion against your defense. Running a 4 on 4 defensive drill, have your offense run a motion (you can run 4 on the perimeter or 3 outside and one post). Working on post offense, throw in a couple of screens and slips and you are practicing your motion. The benefit of this is that your offense gets better but you have created more time to work on other aspects of your team’s game that need attention. You can run a practice, entirely about defense yet your offense will improve as well, as long as you reinforce your motion principles to your offense.

Player Development Running a motion offense allows you to develop a complete player. Because the offense demands fundamental skills in the 3 offensive areas (shooting, passing, ballhandling), player development becomes more universal. Sure, your posts should work on post moves and your guards will work on their specific skills, but on the whole, positions can work on their skills together and do the same drills. Players with more limited range (such as post players) will just shoot a little closer to the basket, but ballhandling and passing drills will all be the same. It is easy to construct drills that not only improve skills but reinforce basic tenants of the offense. For example, practicing your perimeter jump shots off of screen downs not only gets you shot repetitions but also simulates a motion action. When you run a motion offense, your breakdown drills become dynamic and multidimensional. 3 on 3 work, live defensive drills, fast break drills all become drills to improve your motion offense skills. With a motion offense, you can spend more time in skill development due to the fact that there no plays to practice and there is more time to spend on playing basketball.

Disadvantages of Motion 10

Disadvantages of a Motion Offense

Control Issues Coaching has its share of control issues. Very few coaches are willing to relinquish control of their team or their players to anyone. In a motion offense, the coach has to give up all control to his players. Coaches cannot control who handles the ball, who shoots or what shots are taken. The coach must trust his players to make those decisions. In practice, the coach will reinforce his philosophy and his rules but once the game starts, he can only hope that they take the practice work to the court. The basis of any motion offense is player freedom. Not all coaches are comfortable with that.

Shot Selection One of the biggest issues with running a motion offense is shot selection. In an offense where plays are called, the plays are designed to get a certain player a particular shot in a specific spot. Motion offense does not lend itself to that type of precision. Players must learn their strengths and weaknesses and that of others. They must make their own decisions and play within their limitations. Players always have a different view of their own abilities than coaches do. Players and coaches must understand each other to make the proper decision as to which shots should be taken by whom and when.

Role Definition It must be determined what role each player must assume. In a structured offense it is easy, a player in this position is a screener, and this one is a passer. In a motion, those jobs are always changing. The players must be clear in their roles so when they find themselves in a situation where they have to interpret their role, they can determine whether they need to shoot or pass to continue the offense, whether to screen or to accept a screen. This often gets confusing for the players and the coach has to be patient and help them sort it out.

Summary 11

Elements of a Motion Offense

Spacing

The most important aspect of any offense is spacing. Proper spacing spreads the defense and makes it difficult to help, recover and guard the offense. Normal spacing should be about fifteen feet apart. When teaching a motion offense, I have always used “spots” as a guideline for spacing. Please keep in mind that playing basketball requires a great deal of interpretation by both player and coach. The “spots” are not to anchor players in particular stations but rather as a visual reference that players and coaches can go back to as a basis for correction. Your offensive spots should reflect the abilities of your players and the emphasis of your offense. Below are some sample spots to guide spacing. These are the spots I use when playing a “5-Out Motion.” This is for teams that have guards and wings and play without a post presence.

These are the spots I use when running a “4- out/1-In” and a “3-Out/2-In” motion. The perimeter spots are for guards and wings, the 3 post spots are for post and interior players.