Teaching Motion Offense to Post Players

• In a post-oriented motion offense, usually run out of a 3 out, 2-in set, the two post player must work in tandem.  The more ‘tuned in’ to each other they are, the more successful the offense will be.
• These sequences apply to a post-oriented, 3 out, 2-in motion.  This is not the same as a 5 man motion from a 3 out, 2 in set where players interchange between perimeter and post with downscreens and backscreens.
• This attack is ideal for teams with  talented big men – and, perhaps, less talented guards.   If you have a team full of quick guards, you should consider an offensive attack that leaves the high post area less congested, since you’ll want to utilize your perimeter quickness to attack that area with the dribble.

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	The most basic action of the motion is the  block to block screen.  When the ball hits a wing, the ball-side post holds for a one-count.  If he doesn’t get the quick post-up, then he screens away for the other post.  4 must influence -= take one step towards the baseline, then change speed and direction to come off of the screen.
	A common defensive counter is to switch the screen.  If 4 and 5 can make reads and work well together, they can exploit the switch for an easy basket.
	4 comes off of the screen and is picked up by x5. The screener is the most open player here.  5 has x4 on his back
	5 flashes opposite of 4.  4 went to the low post so 5 flashes up the lane towards the high post. Any good player that makes a catch this deep in the paint should score, get fouled, or both. If 4 had gone to the high post, 5 would have flashed back to the low post area, looking to catch the ball as deep as possible in the paint with the  defender on his back,
	Pressure defenses that full-front the ballside post (4) rely on ball pressure (against the wing player – 2 in this example) and weakside help to force turnovers. The weakside post player can eliminate the weakside help by flashing to the high post
	4 should try to step as far up the lane as possible on the post-up, to clear a comfortable space to catch the pass and convert the basket. With the interior help defense eliminated, the lob is much easier to execute. Key tip: Most teams are not prepared to make this pass – and most teams turn the ball over as a result.  Don’t try to make a [perfect lob pass directly into 4’s hands – use the foam on the bottom corner of the glass as a general target – if 4 has done his job by stepping up the lane, he will have plenty of space to go get the pass.  We tell the wings, 4 is an athlete.  If you put the ball near the foam, 4 will go and get it. (If you choose to take this tip literally, please don’t blame me for all the turnovers that happen when the ball ricochets off the glass.  It is a general target).
	If 5’s defender is slow to follow on 5’s cut up the lane, 5 should look to shoot or pass to  4, who should have his defender sealed.
	When one player catches the ball, his partner should remain active. When the low post (4) catches, making a cut to the basket places 5 in great positioning for the offensive rebound.
	When the high post catches, the low post can flash across the lane for a high low feed.

Filed Under: Basketball Offense

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