Playname : 3 game - basic motion

Set-Up
"3 Game" is named such because it is a 1-3-1 Offense. Position players as shown

1 = is at the top of the key and is usually your best ball handler.
2 = is an off guard, a person who can drive, positioned at wing (freethrow line extended).
3 = is a small forward, and a good shooter, positioned at wing (freethrow line extended).
4 = is your best post player, a person with a nose for the ball, positioned on the low block.
5 = Position directly infront of the basket at the freethrow line. This is a person who only shoots well from about 8 feet and in.
Coaches Note: This can be that player you need to hide. They should be taught to screen well. However they don't handle the ball very much at all in this offense.

The only rule in setting up this offense is that 4 must always go to the opposite low block of where 1 either lines up, or throws the first pass. 1 should use the basket as a sight to divide the floor into two halves. 1 should then shade to either the left or the right half of the court, at least one step off the imaginary center basket line. 1 then should attempt to pass the ball toward the side he shades towards. This allows 4 to read his setup position with ease.

Here we show 1 making a pass to the left (here to 2). As he does, 5 will step toward the high part of the circle. 5 will then set a solid high post screen. 1 brushes shoulders as he cuts off 5's screen, and if open on the rub 2 should pass the ball back to 1 who is free for the lay-up or short range jump shot.

If 1 is not open off the rub, he continues thru and sets a pick on 4's defender. When 5 sees that the pass was not given to 1, he quickly goes to the opposite elbow to set a screen for 3.

4 uses the low pick and cuts to the ball side block, and 3 jab steps his man low for 2 steps and cuts back using the pick by 5 at the elbow.

2 should look low first (this is usually the first pick to come free) and then look to 3 coming into the lane.

If 4 or 3 are not open as they come off their picks or screens, then the motion continues. 1 flies out to the FT Line extend on the back side.
5 can pivot on left foot and quickly reverse step back into the lane. As 5 does this he should have his hands up so 2 can pass the ball to him. If 2 cannot get the ball here quickly this option is over.

At the same time 3 pops out to the top of the key.

Continuation
2 now reverses the ball over the top to 3 at the top of the key, then 3 continues the reverse to 1. As the ball is passed 5 should reset to his original setup position. However, as each pass is made by 2, & 3, ending when 1 has the ball, each of these players should look inside to see if 5 is free for a moment. This is just a quick look. 5 should learn to keep his hands up in case of a quick pass from the perimeter players.

As 3 passes the ball to 1, 5 steps up and out to set the High Post pick, and 3 shoulder cuts off the pick and down the lane. If open 1 should pass to 3 who will have the lay-up or short jump shot.

If 3 is not open off the rub, then he continues through and sets a pick on 4's defender. When 5 sees that the pass was not given to 3, he quickly goes to the opposite elbow to set a screen.

4 uses the low pick and cuts to the ball side block, and 2 jab steps his man low for 2 steps and cuts back using the pick by 5 at the elbow.

1 should look low first (this is usually the first pick to come free) and then look to 3 coming into the lane.

If 4 or 2 are not open as they come off their picks or screens, then the motion continues. 3 flies out to the freethrow line extended on the weak side.

5 can pivot on right foot and quickly reverse step back into the lane. As 5 does this he should have his hands up so 1 can pass the ball to him. If 1 cannot get the ball here quickly this option is over.

At the same time 2 now pops out to the top of the key.

At this point we can continue the offense back to the other side.

3 game

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