How to Play Motion Offense in Youth Basketball

Teaching young players the game of basketball is an exciting and challenging opportunity. Players in youth basketball sometimes have a tough time executing set plays and complicated offenses. Therefore, the motion offense is an excellent teaching tool to implement so these young players can begin to understand the game and have fun doing so. This offense gives the players more freedom on the court but still allows them to learn the fundamentals of an offense.

Instructions

1. Have at least five players that are good athletes and in good physical condition. The motion offense requires that each player be able to move all over the court and do so with speed and agility. If a youth basketball team has too many players that are slower than their peers, the motion offense will not work well.

2. Position three of the five basketball players on the outside or near the 3-point line on the basketball court. The motion offense spreads the court and gives each player the option to pass, shoot or drive from anywhere on the court. Be sure to space these player appropriately, because if the players are too close together, one defender can guard two players.

3. Place the other two players on each side of the free throw lane near the basket. Make sure the players are outside the 3-second lane. In addition, you can place both players higher on the lane, or one high and one low. Just make certain there is one player on each side of the free throw lane when you play the motion offense in youth basketball.

4. Allow the defense to dictate what each player does on a given play. If the defender is playing close to a player, then have that player cut towards the basket. If the defender backs off then instruct that player to shoot the ball or look for an open teammate.

5. Screen down with the outside player when the ball is on the opposite side of the court. A player that is outside the 3-point line will move down, set a screen for the post player, and allow them to move out to the 3-point line. After the outside player sets the down screen, there will be two possible passing options off this play. The player with the ball can then pass to the player who moved out to the 3-point line or throw the ball inside to the player that set the screen. If neither player is open, the ball then moves to the middle player at the top of the key.

6. Keep the player in constant motion on the court to play motion offense in youth basketball. If a player is standing still, then he is doing something wrong. The motion offense relies on constant motion to confuse the defense and score easy baskets.