The Best Examples of Motion Offense in Basketball (With Modern Twists)

Real Examples of Motion Offense Examples in Basketball

Let’s start where coaches actually live: on the floor, trying to get five players to move with purpose instead of standing and watching. When people search for examples of motion offense examples in basketball, they’re usually looking for clear pictures they can copy. So let’s walk through some of the best examples and why they work.

1. The Classic 5-Out Motion (Youth and High School)

One of the simplest and best examples of motion offense for youth and high school teams is the basic 5-out motion. All five players start outside the three-point line, spaced in the corners, wings, and top.

Here’s how it typically looks in action:

• The ball starts at the top. The passer cuts hard to the basket after passing.
• The nearest perimeter player fills up to the open spot.
• Weak-side players set away screens (back screens or flare screens) instead of standing.
• If a drive happens, the other four players “drift” and “lift” to open windows for kick-out passes.

This is a clean example of motion offense that works at almost every level because it teaches spacing, cutting, and simple reads. You’ll see versions of this in thousands of American high school gyms every winter. It also lines up with many teaching points promoted in USA Basketball’s youth development materials (usab.com).

2. Golden State Warriors: Modern Motion with Shooters Everywhere

When coaches talk about the best examples of motion offense examples in basketball, the Golden State Warriors are almost always in the conversation. While they use plenty of set plays, their half-court attack is built on motion principles:

• Constant off-ball screens (pin-downs, flares, and staggers) for shooters like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
• Draymond Green acting as a decision-maker at the top, reading backdoor cuts and handoffs.
• Players rarely standing still; they flow from one action into the next without resetting.

Watch a Warriors possession and you’ll see:

• Curry gives up the ball, then immediately sprints off a screen.
• The screener slips to the basket if the defense overplays the shooter.
• If nothing is open, they flow into a dribble handoff or another screen.

This is a real example of motion offense at the highest level: nobody is locked into a scripted pattern, but everyone understands spacing, timing, and how to read the defense.

3. The Swing Offense: Wisconsin-Style Motion

The old Wisconsin “Swing” offense under Bo Ryan is one of the classic examples of motion offense in college basketball. It’s not flashy, but it’s a great teaching model if you like structure with freedom.

Typical features include:

• All five players interchangeable, with guards and bigs posting up.
• Constant ball reversals from side to side.
• Back screens and cross screens to create post touches and open threes.

A typical possession:

• The ball swings from one side to the other.
• As it moves, a guard sets a back screen for a forward, who dives to the block.
• If the post isn’t open, the screener then pops out for a catch-and-shoot or drives a closeout.

This is one of the best examples of motion offense examples in basketball for teams that want discipline, patience, and high-percentage shots without memorizing a long playbook.

4. Dribble-Drive Motion: Attack, Kick, and Re-Attack

If you’ve seen a team that seems to live in the paint, constantly driving and kicking for threes or layups, you’ve probably watched a version of dribble-drive motion. Originated and popularized by coaches like Vance Walberg and later John Calipari, this offense is built on:

• Four players on the perimeter, one in the dunker spot or short corner.
• Attack off the dribble first, read the help, then kick, dump, or finish.
• After passing, players immediately cut, relocate, or re-space to open lanes.

An example of motion offense in this style:

• The point guard drives hard to the right.
• The corner lifts to the wing, the wing drifts to the corner, and the opposite-side players shift to create passing lanes.
• If the defense collapses, the ball is kicked out, and the next player attacks the closeout.

You’ll see versions of this at many high-major college programs, especially those that emphasize pace, spacing, and three-point shooting.

5. Read-and-React Motion: Layered Teaching for Coaches

Many youth and high school coaches use the Read-and-React system (popularized by Rick Torbett) as a teaching framework. It’s one of the clearest examples of motion offense examples in basketball because it breaks the offense into “if-then” layers:

• If you pass, then you cut, screen away, or go ball screen.
• If a teammate drives, then you circle move to open windows.
• If the ball is reversed, then you fill open spots and look for backdoor cuts.

In practice, it might look like this:

• Player A passes to Player B on the wing, then basket cuts.
• Player C fills the top, Player D sets a screen away for Player E.
• If B drives, C and D circle move, and E drifts to the corner.

This approach gives coaches a clear way to build motion habits step by step, making it one of the most coach-friendly examples of motion offense.

6. European-Style 4-Out Motion with Ball Screens

Modern European basketball has heavily influenced the NBA and college game. Many international teams run a hybrid motion offense with lots of:

• 4-out spacing
• Ball screens at different angles
• Off-ball cuts and back screens behind the action

A typical possession as an example of motion offense here:

• The point guard uses a high ball screen.
• As the defense reacts, a weak-side player sets a flare screen for a shooter.
• The screener rolls, the shooter pops, and a cutter dives from the corner.

Nothing is purely scripted, but the spacing and timing are taught in detail. FIBA and many national federations offer resources on this style of motion (fiba.basketball).

7. Simple High School 4-Out 1-In Motion

If you coach at the high school level and want practical examples of motion offense examples in basketball, the 4-out 1-in motion is a go-to choice.

Here’s how it often runs:

• Four players spaced around the perimeter, one post inside.
• Perimeter players pass, cut, screen away, or use handoffs.
• The post player works block-to-block, sets ball screens, or seals after screens.

Example possession:

• The ball is on the right wing. The post sets a ball screen.
• As the ball handler drives, the opposite wing drifts to the corner, the top fills behind, and the strong-side corner lifts.
• If the drive is stopped, the ball is kicked out and they flow into a new action without resetting.

This gives you structure (4-out 1-in spacing) but lets your players read and react, making it a real-world example of motion offense you can install quickly.

8. Youth “Pass and Cut” Motion for Beginners

For younger players (10–13 years old), one of the best examples of motion offense is the simple “pass and cut” rule:

• When you pass, you must cut to the basket.
• If you don’t get the ball, you fill an open spot on the perimeter.
• Off the ball, look for simple screens and backdoor cuts.

A typical youth possession:

• Player passes from the top to the wing and cuts to the rim.
• If they’re not open, they exit to the opposite corner.
• The wing reverses the ball to the top, then cuts.

This is not fancy, but it’s one of the clearest examples of motion offense examples in basketball for teaching spacing, cutting, and ball movement without overloading young minds. USA Basketball and many youth development programs recommend this kind of simple, concept-based offense for beginners.

Why These Examples of Motion Offense Work So Well

Across all these real examples of motion offense, some common threads show up:

• Spacing: Offenses like 5-out and 4-out 1-in stretch the defense horizontally, opening driving lanes and cutting angles.
• Player Movement: Constant cutting and screening force defenders to make decisions and communicate.
• Ball Movement: Quick reversals and extra passes make it harder for help defenders to recover.
• Read-Based Decisions: Instead of memorizing 15 set plays, players learn to read defenders and react.

Research on skill development in team sports often emphasizes decision-making and adaptability over rote memorization. While it’s not basketball-specific, the general principle of teaching adaptable skills is well-supported in coaching science and learning theory, as discussed by organizations like the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (teamusa.org). Motion offense fits that philosophy perfectly.

How to Steal These Examples for Your Own Team

You don’t need to copy an entire NBA or college system. Instead, think in terms of actions and rules.

If you like the Warriors-style motion, you might:

• Add a simple rule: “After you pass, screen away for a shooter.”
• Build a habit of using dribble handoffs at the top.

If you prefer the Swing or 4-out 1-in motion, you might:

• Teach your players to reverse the ball at least once before shooting.
• Emphasize back screens and post seals as the ball is swung.

For youth teams:

• Start with pass-and-cut.
• Add one new rule at a time: screen away after you pass, or fill to the ball side after a cut.

The best examples of motion offense examples in basketball are the ones you can actually teach, rep, and sustain over a full season with your players’ current skill level.

FAQ: Common Questions About Motion Offense Examples

Q: What are some simple examples of motion offense I can use with middle school players?
For middle school, start with 5-out pass-and-cut: players pass, cut to the rim, then fill an open spot. Add a basic rule like “screen away after you pass” once they’re comfortable. This gives you a clean example of motion offense that’s easy to teach and reinforces spacing and movement.

Q: What is an example of motion offense used in the NBA?
The Golden State Warriors provide a strong example of motion offense in the NBA. They blend off-ball screens, dribble handoffs, and constant cutting so that their shooters are always on the move. While they use set plays, the underlying motion principles are very real and very teachable.

Q: Are motion offenses only for teams that can shoot threes?
No. Many of the best examples of motion offense focus on cuts, post seals, and drives. The Swing offense, for instance, creates post-ups and midrange looks as well as threes. Motion is about movement and reads, not just outside shooting.

Q: How many rules should I have in a basic example of motion offense?
For youth teams, one or two rules are enough to start (such as pass-and-cut, then fill). For older teams, you might build up to four or five clear rules over time. Too many rules, and players freeze. Too few, and your motion turns into chaos.

Q: Where can I learn more about teaching motion offense?
Look for coaching education resources from USA Basketball (usab.com), the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (teamusa.org), or coaching clinics hosted by major college programs. Many of these organizations share articles and videos on spacing, cutting, and decision-making that fit perfectly with motion offense concepts.

If you treat these systems as living, breathing examples of motion offense rather than rigid playbooks, you’ll give your players something far more valuable than memorized sets: the ability to read, react, and play real basketball.