4 Out Offense

Our main offense will be used against man and 1-3-1 defenses.

This offense has 4 perimeter players and 1 interior player. It is a motion offense where the players move after every pass. A few guidlines for the offense:

  • If your defender is overplaying you (preventing the pass), always backdoor cut.
  • After a pass, the passer has three options: cut, screen away, or screen the ball.
  • After cutting, move to the corner opposite the ball.
  • The other players quickly move to fill the open spots
  • The interior player is always on the side of the lane opposite the ball. He can flash to the ball side for a quick pass if it is open.
  • The player receiving the pass must be patient looking for cutting players.
  • At any point, players can drive to the basket if they can beat their man or take a good open shot.
  • A player can also request a pick by making a fist.

The following sections have videos demonstrating player movement based on where the ball moved on the court:

  1. Top to Top Pass
  2. Top to Side Pass
  3. Side to Top Pass

Top to Top

These videos show movement when the ball is passed from a top position to another top position.

Backdoor

In this scenario, the 2 (white) player's defender is overplaying him. 2 quickly backdoor cuts and 1 looks to pass him the ball in the lane. If 2 is not open, he moves to the corner opposite the ball.

The 4 (blue) player sees 2 coming to the corner and moves to take the open spot. Note that 4 first cuts toward the basket to push his defender in, freeing up space for passing.

Cut

The movement starts with player 1 (yellow) passing to 2 (white). 1 cuts hard through the lane looking for a pass. If the pass isn't there, 1 move to the corner opposite the ball.

Player 3 (red) then takes the empty space after cutting in to free up space. Player 5 (black) noticed the ball move to the other side of the court, and moves opposite.

Screen Away

This time, after passing, player 1 (yellow) sets a screen away from the ball down to player 3 (red). Player 3 uses the screen to get away from his defender, and cuts into the lane looking for the ball. If the pass is not open, player 3 moves into the open spot up top.

Note that player 5 (black) moved to the side opposite the ball after the pass.

Screen Ball (Pick and Roll)

After passing, player 1 (yellow) sets an on-ball screen for player 2 (white). Player 2 should use the screen to drive to the basket, with player 1 rolling behind. Player 2 can attempt a shot, pass to players 1 or 5, or pass back out.

Player 5 moves opposite again, and then frees up space on the drive. If the ball is kicked back out, each player should reset (find an open spot).

Top to Side

In these examples, a top player passes to a side player. Note the cutting difference with a side player - they always return back to their spot (rather than moving to the opposite corner). This is because the other players cannot rotate with the ballhandler blocking their way.

Backdoor

Similar to above, the 3 (red) player should always backdoor cut if being overplayed by a defender. Notice that if the pass is not open, a side player returns to his own spot rather than moving to the opposite corner.

Cut

The movement starts with player 1 (yellow) passing to 3 red. 1 cuts hard through the lane looking for a pass. If the pass isn't there, 1 move to the corner opposite the ball.

Players 2 (white) and 4 (blue) shift to take up the empty space (cutting into the lane first to free up space). Player 5 (black) stays put because the ball stays on the left side.

Screen Away

After passing, player 1 (yellow) sets a screen away from the ball to player 2 (white). Player 2 uses the screen to get away from his defender, and cuts into the lane looking for the ball. If the pass is not open, player 2 moves into the open spot up top.

Player 5 (black) stays on his side because the ball is still on the left.

Screen Ball (Pick and Roll)

After passing, player 1 (yellow) sets an on-ball screen for player 3 (red). Player 3 should use the screen to drive to the basket, with player 1 rolling behind. Player 3 can attempt a shot, pass to players 1 or 5, or pass back out.

If the ball is kicked back out, each player should reset (find an open spot).

Side to Top

In these examples, a side player passes back up top. Again note the cutting difference with a side player - they always return back to their spot (rather than moving to the opposite corner). This is because the other players cannot rotate with the ballhandler blocking their way.

Backdoor

Similar to above, the 1 (yellow) player should always backdoor cut if being overplayed by a defender. If the pass is not open, 1 will finish the cut by moving to the opposite side and the other players shift over.

Cut

The movement starts with player 3 (red) passing to player 1 (yellow). 3 hard to the lane looking for a pass. If the pass isn't there, 3 moves back to his original spot.

Screen Away

The difference here is that player 3 (red) screens all the way across the court for player 4 (blue). Both players (3 and 4) look for the ball while moving through the lane. Player 1 will make a pass to either if they are open.

Screen Ball (Pick and Roll)

This pick and roll is similar to the previous. After passing, player 3 (red) sets an on-ball screen for player 3 (red). Player 3 should use the screen to drive to the basket, with player 1 rolling behind. Player 3 can attempt a shot, pass to players 1 or 5, or pass back out.

If the ball is kicked back out, each player should reset (find an open spot).