4-Out 1-In Motion
The 4-out 1-in structure places four players on the perimeter (at or beyond the 3-point line) and one player in the low post.
Team Offense
Motion Offense (5-Man Motion)
A rule-based offense where players create advantage through pass-and-cut, screen-away, dribble-at, and spacing reactions.
Direct answer
What is Motion Offense (5-Man Motion)?
A rule-based offense where players create advantage through pass-and-cut, screen-away, dribble-at, and spacing reactions.
Quick facts
| Category | Team Offense |
|---|---|
| Also called | Motion, 5-man motion, pass and cut |
| Diagram | motion-pass-cut-fill |
| Source volume | BASKETBALL_PLAY_VAULT.md |
What it is
- A rule-based offense where players create advantage through pass-and-cut, screen-away, dribble-at, and spacing reactions.
Why it matters
- 5-Man Motion Offense (sometimes called "open post motion" or "rules-based motion") is the foundational framework from which most modern offenses derive their principles.
- Rather than running set plays, the offense operates on a set of rules that every player must follow depending on what happens with the ball.
- The origination is often credited to coaches like Henry Iba and Bob Knight, who ran disciplined, rules-based systems.
- The genius of motion offense is that it is positionless — all five players operate by the same rules, making it adaptable to any roster.
How it works
- Rule 4: Post Rule (Optional in Some Systems) - When the ball is on the wing and a post player is present, the post player sets a screen for the opposite wing or cuts to the ball-side block. - Prevents post players from standing and waiting.
- Any time you pass the ball, you must immediately cut — either to the basket (give-and-go) or away from the ball.
- You may NOT stand where you passed from.
- This rule forces constant movement and prevents the defense from settling.
- After passing and cutting to the basket without receiving the ball back, the cutter continues through and sets a screen for the player farthest from the ball (away from the action).
Reads and counters
- After passing, read your man: head turns to the ball, cut basket for a give-and-go; otherwise blast cut to open space.
- If the rim is walled off, don't force the layup — continue through and screen away for a weak-side teammate.
- On the away-screen: if the screener's man sags, slip to the ball; if he chases, the cutter curls tight over the top.
- On a dribble-at: backcut hard if your defender lifts to deny, or take the handoff if he trails.
- Post rule on a wing entry: screen the opposite wing or dive to the ball-side block, reading which defender helps lowest.
Teaching cues
- Pass and cut, never stand
- Read your man's eyes
- Screen away, then slip
- Backcut the overplay
- Fill the empty spot
Bilingual terms
| English | Motion Offense (5-Man Motion) |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 移动进攻（五人移动进攻） |
| Traditional Chinese | 動態進攻（五人 Motion） |
Related concepts
3.6 Modern Post Play in 5-Out Offenses
Big receives ball at the top via Pistol action
Motion Offense Principles
Motion offense is the foundation upon which all modern basketball systems are built.
The Five Rules of Motion Offense
Motion offense is the foundation upon which all modern basketball systems are built.
Cross-System Principles
These principles appear across every system covered above — they are the irreducible rules of basketball offense
Dribble Drive Motion (DDM)
A gap-attack offense that uses hard drives and disciplined spacing to force help, then punish rotations with kick-outs.