44 TOPIC: Flexibility of motion offense
QUESTION-
I enjoyed reading your article on motion offense (15 Advantages of Motion Offense) and would love to see what else you have on motion offense. I coach a rural high school team in western Pennsylvania and have been incorporating a motion offense using a 3 out, 4 out, and 5 out alignment to best utilize our matchups.
ANSWER-
You are doing the right thing by researching the best motion offense options for your team now. I believe that coaches must strive to improve in the off-season just like players.
Consider these guidelines for motion offense:
1. Which type of motion do you want to be your main offense. Your choices are 2 out (Inside Triangle), 3 out (2 in), 4 out (1 in), or 5 man motion (all players can play all spots on the floor).
2. Buy the Rick Majerus DVD on 4 out, 1 in motion through www.championshipproductions.com. It is information overload but it is packed with concepts and ideas for creating your own unique motion offense.
3. Evaluate your talent. If you have players with position specific skills only, you may want to go with a standard 2 out or 3 out motion. If your players have cross over skills for multiple positions, the 4 out or 5 out would be the best.
4. Define clearly what you want to get from your motion. In other words, what is your specific purpose of playing this way? Then make sure you are getting from motion what was intended.
45 TOPIC: Benefits of motion offense
Question-
Motion offense is something I have never taught. I always thought it was too complicated for my high school teams.
It seems that I have more control on the offensive end by running set plays.
What are the benefits of motion offense?
Answer-
Offensive basketball has evolved greatly from the game's infant days in the 40's and 50's. Creating an offense takes time and creativity. It also must include provisions for the kind of players on your team and their talents. A good coach puts each player in positions on the floor where they can be successful. Many times being successful does not mean scoring points. Each player has a unique set of skills. If these skills are maximized, the end result will be a well-oiled offensive machine.
Choosing which kind of offense is right for you as a coach deserves your full attention. The offense you rely on will partially determine the success of your team. Motion offense allows for great flexibility while putting great pressure on the defense.
My coaching experience with motion offense has grown from time spent with great coaches. Lute Olson, Gary Garner, Rich Glas, Kevin O'Neill, Dan Hipsher, Tim Floyd, and Larry Eustachy. Each introduced new and productive ideas to motion offense. Joby Wright, a former player and assistant coach for Indiana's Bob Knight, taught me more about "true" five-man motion than anyone.
My experience with these coaches has been priceless, and has allowed me to introduce these 15 advantages of motion offense.
Why Motion?
1. Motion allows for creativity and imagination. Motion keeps offense from being stagnant and boring.
2. Motion allows intelligence to be an asset. Players with high basketball IQ excel in motion.
3. Motion incorporates and emphasizes solid fundamentals. Triple threat skills are key.
4. Motion allows you to persevere over the opponent with patience. Defenses break down quickly, especially in high school with no shot clock.
5. Motion provides for excellent shot selection and increased FG %.
6. Motion is totally unpredictable and each possession is unique. The "Snowflake theory" states that no two possessions are ever alike.
7. Motion is impossible to scout because each possession is different.
8. Motion wears opponents down defensively, leading to unproductive offense. By making your opponent guard motion, they are less able to score on the other end.
9. Motion asks, "Who wants to guard motion for 20-35 seconds a possession?" The answer is everyone you play!
10. Motion allows you to win the mental war on the floor. Winning the mental game is a characteristic of good team in all sports, at any level.
11. Motion is unique and challenging to teach, and will keep the coach sharp. Coaches must continue to stretch themselves by learning new concepts and ways to play.
12. Motion makes you defense better everyday. Since motion is the most difficult offense to defend, your team improves defensively each night out.
13. Motion creates increased free throw attempts. Motion teams win from the line consistently.
14. Motion is like a lump of clay, you can mold it to fit your personality. Flexibility to change as day to day situations occur with your team.
15. Motion can be run effectively against zones. Teach one offense instead of 5 or 6.
