What is the 4 out 1 in motion offense in basketball?
The 4 out 1 in motion offense is a basketball strategy that generally focuses on creating various scoring opportunities via the initial formation of four offensive players located outside of the three-point line around perimeter areas and one additional player established inside of the three-point line, typically near the low post area.
How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page
In relation to any diagrams below, each of the offensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions in number format, unless otherwise noted.
In essence, 1 is the point guard; 2 is the shooting guard; 3 is the small forward; 4 is the power forward; 5 is the center.
Furthermore, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double pipe symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
What is an example of 4 out 1 in motion offense featuring baseline runner action?
An offensive player in possession of the ball could dribble towards the wing while other players screen away and drift to the adjacent corner, respectively. Afterwards, the player who moved to the corner could run the baseline via screens and receive the ball for a possible three-point shot.
The example diagrams below demonstrate this in more detail.
Part 1: Dribble entry and away screen
To start, 1 executes a dribble entry towards the right side wing. As that happens, 3 flattens out to the adjacent right side corner.
Moreover, at the same time, 2 cuts to the top via the away screen set by 4. Afterwards, 2 receives the ball from 1 while 4 cuts to the vacant left side low post area.
Part 2: Baseline runner
Next, 2 starts dribbling the ball towards the left side and as that happens, 3 runs the baseline to the left corner via a pair of screens from 4 and 5.
From there, 3 could receive the ball from 2 and take the open three-point shot.
What is an example of 4 out 1 in motion offense featuring dribble handoff action?
A player initially in possession of the ball could execute dribble handoff action on one side of the court. On the other side, another player could set a flare screen, which may result in a perimeter scoring opportunity.
Furthermore, flex action could lead to additional scoring possibilities. The example diagrams below illustrate these points in more detail.
Part 1: Dribble handoff and flare screen
To begin, 1 and 3 execute a dribble handoff on the right side of the court. From there, as 3 starts dribbling back towards the right slot area, 4 cuts to the left side wing area via a flare screen set by 2 on the weak side.
Afterwards, 4 could receive the ball from 3 via a skip pass and take the three-point shot if that is open while 2 replaces at the left slot and 1 occupies the right corner.
Part 2: Flex
If 4 is not open to take the shot earlier, then 1 cuts to the basket via a flex screen set by 5.
Additionally, 5 could cut to the high post area via the down screen set by 3, which also completes screen the screener action.
4 has the option to pass to either 1 near the basket or 5 around the high post, which could result in a possible close-range or mid-range scoring opportunity.
What is an example of 4 out 1 in motion offense featuring high post action?
An interior player could lift to the adjacent high post elbow area while dribble handoff action happens on the perimeter. Following that, the high post player could receive possession of the ball, which could lead to a handoff as well as additional scoring opportunities.
The example diagrams below showcase these concepts with more clarity.
Part 1: Dribble handoff and lift
To start, 1 and 3 execute a dribble handoff while 5 lifts up to the right side high post elbow area.
Part 2: High post handoff
Next, 5 receives the ball from 3, denoted by the dotted arrow. Immediately after that, 3 follows that pass to receive the ball again via a high post handoff.
Once that occurs, 3 could attack the rim and score near the basket via a layup or dunk.
However, if 3 is not open to receive the ball, then 3 could simply cut through to the left side corner, represented by the solid arrow.
Part 3: Curl cut
Continuing on, 2 could curl cut to the basket via the screen set by 4. Afterwards, 2 could potentially receive the ball from 5 and score via a layup.
Otherwise, 2 could cut through to the right side corner while 4 fills the previously occupied left side wing and 1 receives the ball from 5 instead.
Part 4: Side pick and roll
Next, 5 can follow that pass and set a side pick with 1 as the recipient. Furthermore, 1 attempts to dribble into the middle of the court, hoping to get a piece of the paint while 5 rolls to the basket.
In addition to that, 2 executes the shake action and fills the vacated right side wing.
From that point, 1 has the option to take the mid-range shot or pass the ball to one of the other teammates for possible scoring opportunities.
What is an example of 4 out 1 in motion offense featuring pass and cut action?
A slot player who is initially in possession of the ball could pass it to another slot player. From there, the second slot player could pass it to the adjacent wing player and cut to the basket looking to receive the ball again and score.
What’s more, off-ball and on-ball screens could occur, which could result in additional scoring opportunities.
The diagrams below illustrate these concepts in more detail.
Part 1: Pass and cut
To begin, 4 receives the ball from 1 and then 2 receives it from 4. Following that, 4 swiftly cuts to the basket and could receive the ball back on the basic give and go action, which could lead to a score.
If 4 is not open though, then 4 simply cuts through to the left side corner area.
Part 2: Ram screen
Next, 1 could set a ram screen with 5 as the recipient. That could then be followed up by a pick set by 5 who chooses 2 as the recipient there.
Also, after setting the ram screen, 1 fills the empty right corner.
Furthermore, as a side note in relation to the screening actions here, the ram screen occurs when one player sets an off-ball screen, which is then followed up with an intended on-ball screen or pick by another player. For this example, 1 basically sets a down screen or ram screen in this case, followed by the pick or on-ball screen from 5, the player who received the off-ball screen.
Continuing on, 2 dribbles toward the middle of the high post area while 5 rolls to the basket and 4 shakes up to the now vacant left side wing.
2 has the option to take the mid-range shot or pass to one of the other teammates, which could lead to even more scoring opportunities.
What is an example of 4 out 1 motion offense featuring UCLA action?
A player could execute the UCLA action followed by a double ball screen for additional scoring opportunities.
The example diagrams below showcase this with more clarity.
Part 1: UCLA
To begin, 3 receives possession of the ball from 1. Afterwards, 5 lifts up near the right side elbow to set a back screen.
Following that, 1 performs a UCLA cut via that screening action and could receive the ball again from 3, leading to a potential layup near the basket.
If 1 is not open though, then 1 simply continues the cut through to the left side vacant corner.
Part 2: Double ball screen
Next, 4 and 5 cut towards the right side wing to set a double ball screen with 3 as the recipient.
Afterwards, 3 dribbles toward the middle near the high post via that screen while 5 rolls to the rim and 4 replaces at the right side wing.
From that point, 3 could take the potential mid-range shot or pass the ball to one of the other teammates for additional possible scoring opportunities.
What is an example of a 4 out 1 in motion offense quick hitter?
A player could screen away while another player cuts to the basket. Furthermore, another player could cut to get open, which could lead to a three-point shot with a slip option as well.
The example diagrams below showcase this in more detail.
Part 1: Away screen and back screen
Starting off, 4 cuts away to set a screen with 2 as the recipient. From there, 2 replaces at the left slot and receives the ball from 1.
After that, 1 cuts to the basket via a back screen set by 5 and could receive the ball again from 2 if that is open.
Otherwise, 1 continues the cut through to the left corner while 3 fills the right corner. 4 should also fill the left side wing after the initial screening action.
Part 2: Stagger and slip
Next, 4 could receive the ball from 2. Following that, 2 cuts away to set a stagger screen alongside 5 while 3 utilizes that screen and cuts toward the top.
From there, 3 could receive the ball from 4, which could lead to a possible three-point shot.
Alternatively, 2 could slip the screen, receive the ball from 4 instead, and score near the basket.
What is an example of 4 out 1 in motion within transition offense?
A player could receive the ball in the backcourt during initial transition offense while another player runs to the rim.
Moreover, it’s possible to pitch ahead or attack the rim looking to get the ball to the low post player.
Also, if those options are not available, then additional scoring opportunities could be feasible via secondary break actions as well.
The example diagrams below demonstrate these concepts in more detail.
Part 1: Transition rim run and pitch ahead
Prior to the action, let’s assume the opposing team has just scored a basket. Therefore, 4 collects the ball out of the net and will perform an inbound pass.
From there, to start the action, 1 utilizes a V-cut to get open and receives the ball from 4.
As that happens, 2 and 3 sprint down to the corners while 5 runs as fast as possible to the rim.
1 also dribbles the ball and while it is still in the backcourt, 1 throws a pitch ahead pass so that 5 can receive it and score quickly via a layup or dunk.
4 also trails the play after throwing the inbound pass.
Part 2, Option 1: Corner pitch I
If 5 is not open to receive the ball, then 1 could throw the pitch ahead pass so that 2 could receive it instead.
From there, 2 could quickly take the three-point shot or make the post entry pass so that 5 could receive the ball after stepping out of the lane towards the right side low post area.
Following that, 5 could also attempt to quickly score with a low post move around the basket.
4 also continues to trail the play while in the extended left slot within the backcourt area.
Part 2, Option 2: Corner pitch II
Alternatively, 1 could dribble into the frontcourt near the left slot and throw the pitch ahead pass towards the left corner where 3 is currently located.
Also, while this occurs, 4 can sprint to fill the right slot area.
Next, 3 could take the three-point shot or pass inside so that 5 could receive the ball after stepping out of the lane towards the left side low post area. From that point, 5 could try to score via a low post move.
Part 3: Attack the basket
Instead of throwing a pitch ahead pass, 1 could keep possession of the ball altogether and attack the basket. The objective is to get downhill and score quickly via a layup or possibly throw a quick drop pass so that 5 could score around the basket.
4 also continues to trail the play and takes up space at the left slot area.
Part 4: Post entry and Stagger
If the transition opportunity is not available, particularly after part 3 of the previous diagram, then the offensive team could move into the secondary break phase.
Therefore, 2 lifts up towards the right side wing to receive the ball from 1. Also, as that occurs, 5 cuts across the lane to potentially receive the ball from 2 and score via a low post move.
However, if 5 is not open to receive the ball, then 3 could cut to the top via the stagger screen set by 1 and 4.
Afterwards, 3 could receive the ball from 2 and take the three-point shot.
What are 4 out 1 in motion offense general principles?
Create good spacing
Generally speaking, players should be about 12 to 15 feet apart from each other to create good spacing.
By doing this, players will have better opportunities to cut to the basket or dribble into the lane for potential scoring opportunities.
Take high percentage field goal attempts when possible
Players should try to take high percentage field goal attempts when possible not force low percentage shots.
In essence, if a player is not open to take a high percentage shot, then that player should consider passing the ball and cutting to the basket or setting a screen for a teammate when necessary.
Play to strengths
Generally speaking, players should play to their respective strengths while minimizing or de-emphasizing potential offensive flaws or deficiencies.
For example, if one particular player is highly adept at shooting from the perimeter areas of the court, then that player should strongly consider taking mid-range or three-point shots when open.
Conversely, if a player is not necessarily one of the team’s best shooters, but is great at cutting to the basket or driving to the lane, then that player should try to execute those particular actions if the opportunity presents itself to do so.
Also, if a post player is one of the team’s best screeners or one of the team’s best low post scorers, then that player should consider setting great screens or utilizing low post moves whenever possible.
What are 4 out 1 in motion offense general rules?
These are general rules that could be considered when implementing and executing the 4 out 1 in motion offense.
However, please note that these rules are not set in stone and can be altered to one degree or another based on coaching philosophy and/or team personnel.
Additionally, these rules are mainly derived from insights within The 4 Out 1 In Motion Offense by Jay Wright.
Post players should try to stay opposite of each other
Generally speaking, the post players should try to stay opposite of each other on both sides of the court.
For example, one post player could be near the slot or another perimeter area while the other post player could be near the low post block or high post area on the opposite side.
Players near the wing/corner can feed the low post when necessary
Whenever a player has possession of the ball on the wing or in the corner and there is a low post player on that strong side, then it is possible to feed that post player the ball, which could lead to a scoring opportunity by way of a low post move.
A player on the wing could also feed the low post and then cut towards the basket to potentially receive the ball again via give and go action.
Moreover, a player on the wing could feed the low post and then screen away for a teammate who may be able to utilize that screen to get open for a pass from the low post player and subsequent scoring opportunity.
Players in the slot or wing can pass, cut, screen, or drive
When a player has possession of the ball in the slot or wing, that player can then pass it and cut towards the basket or even cut away from the ball, possibly to create greater spacing for another teammate.
A player within the slot or wing could also pass the ball and then screen away to help free up another teammate, which could potentially lead to a scoring opportunity.
In addition, a player occupying the slot or wing could keep possession of the ball and drive to the basket. The drive action could possibly occur via an isolation and subsequent defensive breakdown or by way of an on-ball screen, depending on the play or circumstances.
What’s more, if a player who is filling the slot or wing is able to dribble the ball near or within the lane, then that might result in a kick pass opportunity, leading to a potential three-point shot.
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