Motion offense
Encyclopedia
A motion offense is a category of offensive scheme used in basketball
. Motion offenses use player movement, often as a strategy to exploit quickness of the offensive team or to neutralize a size advantage of the defense.
Motion offenses are different from continuity offense
s in that they follow no fixed repeating pattern. Instead a motion offense is free-flowing and unrestricted, following a set of rules. Some examples of basic rules that are commonly used are:
, the former head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys
men's basketball team, there are many who believe that motion offense was developed earlier by coaches of the New York Renaissance
, an all-African American team who played during the 1920s and 30s. In fact, the Rens were the first team—black or white—to win the World Championship Professional Basketball Tournament, held in 1939, and they used a motion offense.
, the game's first ever seven-foot player. During Iba's 36-year tenure as Oklahoma State head coach (1934–1970), his motion offense also led the Cowboys to 14 Missouri Valley Conference
titles, a Big Eight Conference
title, and 655 victories with the Cowboys. He also coached the U.S. Men's Basketball Team to gold medals in the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics. Overall, with coaching stints at Northwest Missouri State University
and the University of Colorado
included, Iba won a total of 767 college basketball games. He is also the only coach in history to win two Olympic gold medals.
, Indiana University
, and Texas Tech University
, recording 902 total victories during his illustrious coaching career. His motion offense emphasizes post players setting screens and perimeter players passing the ball until a teammate becomes open for an uncontested lay-up or jump shot. Players are also required to be unselfish and disciplined, and must be effective in setting and using screens to get open.
Knight's use of the motion offense was most evident during his 29-year stint as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers
men's basketball team (1971-2000). He amassed 661 victories as coach of the Hoosiers, and captured 3 NCAA championships
, a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) title, and 11 Big Ten Conference
championships. He was voted National Coach of the Year 4 times, and was the Big Ten coach of the year 6 times. Knight also coached the U.S. Men's Basketball Team to the Olympic gold medal in 1984. His Olympic squad included many notable players such as Steve Alford
, Chris Mullin
, Patrick Ewing
, and Michael Jordan
.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. Motion offenses use player movement, often as a strategy to exploit quickness of the offensive team or to neutralize a size advantage of the defense.
Motion offenses are different from continuity offense
Continuity offense
A continuity offense is one of two main categories of basketball offenses, the other being motion offense.Continuity offenses are characterized by a pattern of movement, cuts, screens and passes which eventually leads back to the starting formation...
s in that they follow no fixed repeating pattern. Instead a motion offense is free-flowing and unrestricted, following a set of rules. Some examples of basic rules that are commonly used are:
- Pass and screen away: Players pass to one side of the court and seek to screen for players on the opposite side of the court. The hope is to create spacing and driving lanes to basket.
- Back screen: Players in the key seek to screen players on the wing and open them up for basket cuts.
- Flare screen: Player without the ball on the perimeter seeks to set a screen (usually near the elbow area of the lane) for another player without the ball at the top of the key area.
History
The origin of the motion offense has been disputed. Though credit is often given to Hank IbaHenry Iba
Henry Payne "Hank" Iba was an American basketball and baseball coach.-Early life:Iba was born and raised in Easton, Missouri...
, the former head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball
The Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team represents Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Cowboys currently compete in the Big 12 Conference.Since 1938, the team has played its home games in Gallagher-Iba Arena...
men's basketball team, there are many who believe that motion offense was developed earlier by coaches of the New York Renaissance
New York Renaissance
The New York Renaissance, also known as the Renaissance Big Five and as the Rens, was an all-black professional basketball team established February 13, 1923, by Robert "Bob" Douglas in agreement with the Renaissance Casino and Ballroom...
, an all-African American team who played during the 1920s and 30s. In fact, the Rens were the first team—black or white—to win the World Championship Professional Basketball Tournament, held in 1939, and they used a motion offense.
Hank Iba's version
Hank Iba's teams were methodical, ball-controlling units who featured weaving patterns and low-scoring games. Iba's usage of the motion offense, coupled with an aggressive defense, was especially prevalent when he directed the Cowboys to NCAA championships in 1945 and 1946, becoming the first college team to win back-to-back titles. He was also voted coach of the year in both 1945 and 1946. His championship teams were led by Bob KurlandBob Kurland
Robert Albert "Bob" Kurland was a basketball center, who played for Henry Iba's Oklahoma A & M Aggies basketball team...
, the game's first ever seven-foot player. During Iba's 36-year tenure as Oklahoma State head coach (1934–1970), his motion offense also led the Cowboys to 14 Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
titles, a Big Eight Conference
Big Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
title, and 655 victories with the Cowboys. He also coached the U.S. Men's Basketball Team to gold medals in the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics. Overall, with coaching stints at Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
and the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
included, Iba won a total of 767 college basketball games. He is also the only coach in history to win two Olympic gold medals.
Bob Knight's version
Another prominent head coach who has been influential in the development of the motion offense is Bob Knight. Knight has used the motion offense to great success for over 40 years as the head coach of the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, and Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
, recording 902 total victories during his illustrious coaching career. His motion offense emphasizes post players setting screens and perimeter players passing the ball until a teammate becomes open for an uncontested lay-up or jump shot. Players are also required to be unselfish and disciplined, and must be effective in setting and using screens to get open.
Knight's use of the motion offense was most evident during his 29-year stint as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are the athletic teams for the Bloomington campus of Indiana University . Athletic teams sponsored by IU Bloomington include cross country, track, baseball, golf, tennis, rowing, volleyball, soccer, football and basketball...
men's basketball team (1971-2000). He amassed 661 victories as coach of the Hoosiers, and captured 3 NCAA championships
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
, a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) title, and 11 Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championships. He was voted National Coach of the Year 4 times, and was the Big Ten coach of the year 6 times. Knight also coached the U.S. Men's Basketball Team to the Olympic gold medal in 1984. His Olympic squad included many notable players such as Steve Alford
Steve Alford
Stephen Todd Alford is a retired American basketball player and the current head coach of the University of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team...
, Chris Mullin
Chris Mullin (basketball)
Christopher Paul Mullin is a retired American basketball player and former general manager of the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He has also been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame....
, Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
, and Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
.
Modern usage
Today, the motion offense is used by a vast majority of high school, college, and professional basketball teams. Many basketball teams have continued to use the offense to great success on all levels of the game.External links
- http://www.perfectpractice.net/63/motion-offense-core-teaching-concepts.html Motion Offense Coaching Concepts
- http://www.basketball.org/skills/passing-game/ Motion offense, also known as Passing Game is taught by former NBA coach and player.
- http://www.coachawinningteam.com/basketball_plays_motion_offense - Animation, Rules and Diagrams of Motion Offense
- http://www.hoopsu.com/category/basketball-playbook/motion-offense
- http://www.coachesclipboard.net/MotionOffense.html
- http://static.espn.go.com/ncb/2003/0225/1514311.html
- http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/archives/2005/3/Pride+dunks+prejudice