Two guards at the top of the key, two posts on the low blocks. On the coach's signal, the two posts sprint to the three-point line (stars), curl back to the wing, then cut to the basket for a pass. Creates open shots from the wing.
Movement
4 players in a box at the elbow. Posts sprint up the lane lines to the arc, curl hard to the wing, then cut hard to the basket looking for a pass from the guard.
Coach Tip
The guard with the ball holds until the cutter is at the elbow. Too early and the defender recovers. Timing is everything.
When to Use
After a defensive stop or when the game slows down. Works against man-to-man defense.
Ages
9-14. Can simplify for 6-8: just have posts run baseline to baseline with a pass at the wing.
A player at the top of the key cuts down the lane like a zipper, then breaks out to the wing. The player on the wing receives the pass and looks for the cutter now sprinting to the basket. Simple, repeatable, and works for any age.
Movement
Guard at the top of the key passes to the wing and cuts down the lane line to the basket. Wing player drives toward the basket, then drops a pass backdoor to the cutter.
Coach Tip
The cutter should be looking for the ball the moment they turn. Eyes up, hands ready. Practice this in 2-on-2 first.
When to Use
Any time the ball is on the wing. Can be set from the box formation or any 4-out alignment.
Ages
6-14. One of the easiest plays to teach at any level. Start with a stationary version for ages 6-8.
Named after the famous John Wooden set. The guard at the top passes to the wing, then cuts through the key to the opposite side of the court. The wing player can drive, pass to the cutter, or find the post. Classic motion offense foundation.
Movement
Guard 1 passes to guard 2 on the wing. Guard 1 cuts through the paint (eye contact with guard 2), exits at the opposite elbow. Guard 2 reads: drive, pass to cutter, or dump to the post.
Coach Tip
The cutter should brush shoulders with the passing lane - it creates legal screen option for the next player. Eye contact between guards is critical.
When to Use
This is a base motion offense entry. Teach it first before running any other set.
Ages
10-14. Simplify for 6-9 by just having the guard pass-and-cut through with no read required at the other end.
The point guard passes to the forward at the elbow and immediately cuts hard to the basket. The forward reads the defense - if the helper steps up, drop the pass backdoor. If the defender overplays, drive past them. The simplest high-percentage play in youth basketball.
Movement
PG passes to the elbow. Immediately plant and cut hard to the basket. Forward reads the defense: if help comes, pass backdoor; if not, take the jumper or drive.
Coach Tip
The pass is a one-way pass - the guard does not look back for it. The forward makes the read on their own. Practice the read before the pass.
When to Use
Best after a defensive rebound or a made basket when the defense is still resetting. Also works in the half-court against any defense.
Ages
6-14. The absolute best first play to teach any age group. For 6-8, just do the cut and receive a pass - no read required yet.
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The in-bounder stands at the baseline under the basket with a box formation in front: two players at the free throw line, two players on the blocks. The two free throw line players set a double screen, and the in-bounder throws to the open player who rolls off the screen.
Movement
In-bounder at the baseline (under basket). Two players at the free throw line set a double down screen. One player curls off the screen toward the elbow, catches the pass, and looks to score or find the post.
Coach Tip
The screener at the top of the screen should set a wide base and hold the screen for at least one full second. Moving too early defeats the purpose.
When to Use
After every dead ball under the opponent's basket. Defense is not set yet - this is the highest-percentage possession of the game.
Ages
9-14. For 6-8, use a single screen version: one player sets a screen at the elbow, the cutter curls off.
On a sideline out-of-bounds play, the four non-inbounders line up in a stack near the basket. The top player in the stack runs off a double down-screen from the two players below, breaks free toward the ball, and catches a lob pass for a layup opportunity.
Movement
Stack near the basket. Bottom two players set a down screen. Top player runs through the screen, breaks to the sideline at speed, and catches a lob from the in-bounder at the free throw line extended.
Coach Tip
The lob pass is the hardest part - practice it in warm-ups. Aim for 2 feet above the rim. If the lob is off, the receiver should still go up and rebound.
When to Use
After a turnover or when the ball goes out of bounds on the sideline. Especially effective if the defense is still set from the previous possession.
Ages
10-14. Too complex for most 6-8 groups - use a simpler version where the top player just runs straight to the basket.
From a box formation under the basket, the in-bounder skips the ball to the opposite wing (skip pass). The receiving player attacks the gap and looks to score, while the player at the elbow cuts to the basket looking for a dump pass if the driving lane closes.
Movement
In-bounder at the baseline throws a skip pass across the court to the opposite wing. Wing player attacks the lane. The elbow player reads: if the lane opens, cut hard; if the defender helps, the wing takes the open jumper.
Coach Tip
Skip passes are high-risk at young ages - practice the catch first before the cut. The receiving player should catch, hold, and then make a decision.
When to Use
When the defense has shifted heavily to one side. The skip pass finds the open player on the weak side.
Ages
10-14. For 6-9, skip the skip pass and just throw it to one side - the receiver attacks.
Two players start at the elbow and set consecutive screens at the baseline. The in-bounder throws to a player at the top of the key. The player at the top cuts hard off the first screen, then the second screen, and comes free on the weak side for a layup.
Movement
In-bounder passes to the top of the key. A player at the elbow sets a down screen for a cutter, then immediately sets another screen. The cutter runs off both screens in one continuous cut and catches the pass on the weak side.
Coach Tip
The first screener should be large and physical. The second screen happens fast - the cutter must stay low through both. This play creates a layup if executed correctly.
When to Use
In-bounds play after a timeout or after a made basket when the defense is not yet in position. Confidence builder - it creates a clean look.
Ages
11-14. Too advanced for 6-10. Use a single screen version instead.
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The fastest play in basketball: after a defensive rebound, two players sprint up the court in a 2-on-1 against a single defender. The lead player attacks the defender; the trail player runs the lane for a pass when the defender commits. Simplest high-percentage scoring opportunity in youth basketball.
Movement
Rebounder outlet passes to the lead guard sprinting up the sideline. Lead guard attacks the single defender. Trail player runs down the middle of the floor. Pass when the defender commits to the ball handler.
Coach Tip
The ball handler should attack at 80% and be ready to pass by the three-point line. If the defender backpedals all the way, take the open three. Don't wait.
When to Use
After every defensive rebound. Teach this immediately after teaching how to box out - they go together.
Ages
6-14. Can be taught from the first day of practice. The simplest and most effective play in youth basketball.
After a steal or long rebound, three players flood the court against two defenders. The middle player runs the lane, the two outside players run the sidelines. The ball handler reads the two defenders and decides: pass to the open lane runner, swing to the open wing, or take the open middle.
Movement
3 players: middle runner down the lane, two wing players on the sidelines. Ball handler attacks the two defenders, reads the gap. Pass to the open man - usually the middle runner if the defenders sag.
Coach Tip
The middle runner should look like they're going all the way to the rim - it stretches the defense. Then plant and receive the pass at the free throw line if the defender backtracks.
When to Use
After a steal or long offensive rebound. The key is the outlet pass - if it goes to the sideline quickly, the whole break accelerates.
Ages
9-14. For 6-8, teach the lanes-first principle (middle runner goes first) before the full 3-on-2 read.
The rebounder splits the two offensive players - throwing an immediate outlet pass to one side while the other two sprint up the court. Creates a numbers advantage because the rebounder is already moving up the floor as the pass goes out.
Movement
Rebounder immediately throws a split-pass: one player sprints to the left sideline, one to the right sideline. Rebounder pushes up the middle. The pass goes to the open sideline, creating a 3-on-2 or 2-on-1.
Coach Tip
The rebounder should throw the pass before they even turn around - eyes up the court. Practice this in rebounding drills before it can be used in games.
When to Use
After every defensive rebound. It's actually easier to execute than the 3-on-2 because it creates numbers advantage before the defense can recover.
Ages
10-14. Teach the split pass concept first with stationary passes before running it in live transition.
After a defensive rebound, two players sprint ahead while a third player (the trailer) lags 3-4 steps behind. The ball handler runs the break, passes to one of the runners, then the trailer fills into the open space behind the play - creating a second wave of offense if the first wave doesn't score.
Movement
Two lead players sprint the length of the court. Ball handler runs with the ball. A third player trails 10-15 feet behind (the trailer). If the lead players get the ball and can't score, they pass back to the trailer for an open look.
Coach Tip
The trailer should always be open - defenders chase the first wave. If the trailer gets the ball, they should have a clean look at the basket with no one closing out.
When to Use
After a rebound when the defense is not pressing. Works especially well when the defense has 3+ players back, leaving the trailer unguarded in the mid-range.
Ages
9-14. For 6-8, simplify to just two players running and one trailer - skip the read on the second wave.
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