Top 20 Offensive Plays for Youth Basketball Teams:
eCoaching youth basketball involves teaching foundational skills while keeping the game fun and engaging. Offensive basketball plays at this level should be simple, easy to understand, and effective for developing basic basketball skills.
Here are 20 top offensive plays designed to help youth basketball teams score efficiently while learning the basics of the game.
1. The Give-and-Go
A fundamental offensive play that teaches basketball players to pass and cut, creating opportunities for easy baskets.
Instructions:
1: Player A dribbles towards Player B.
2: Player A passes to Player B and immediately cuts towards the basket.
3: Player B passes the ball back to Player A, who takes a shot or lays it up.
Tips:
Tip #1: Emphasize quick passing and cutting.
Tip #2: Encourage basketball players to look for the return pass immediately after the initial pass.
2. Basic Pick-and-Roll
A simple play that introduces the concept of setting screens and rolling to the basket.
Instructions:
1: Player A dribbles towards Player B.
2: Player B sets a screen for Player A and then rolls towards the basket.
3: Player A uses the screen and either takes a shot or passes to Player B.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice setting effective screens and rolling quickly.
Tip #2: Ensure Player A uses the screen properly to create space.
3. Two-Man Game
A straightforward play that focuses on teamwork between two players to create scoring opportunities.
Instructions:
1: Player A dribbles and passes to Player B.
2: Player A cuts to the basket, while Player B decides to either shoot or pass back to Player A.
3: Player A receives the ball and takes a shot or goes for a layup.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice timing and communication between the two players.
Tip #2: Encourage quick decision-making to capitalize on openings.
4. 3-Man Weave
A play that helps develop passing skills and teamwork by involving three players in a weaving motion.
Instructions:
1: Players A, B, and C form a line and begin dribbling towards the basket.
2: Player A passes to Player B and follows behind to receive a pass from Player B.
3: Player B passes to Player C, who also passes back to Player A.
4: Continue weaving until reaching the basket for a shot.
Tips:
Tip #1: Emphasize precise passing and movement.
Tip #2: Encourage basketball players to keep their heads up and look for open teammates.
5. Box Set Play
A play where basketball players start in a box formation to create movement and open shots.
Instructions:
1: Players A, B, C, and D set up in a box formation around the key.
2: Player A passes to Player B, who then passes to Player C.
3: Player D sets a screen for Player C, who cuts towards the basket for a shot.
4: Player C receives the ball and attempts a shot.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice timing for setting screens and cutting.
Tip #2: Ensure players are positioned correctly for the box formation.
6. High-Low Post Play
A play that utilizes the high and low post positions to create scoring opportunities in the paint.
Instructions:
1: Player A is positioned at the high post, and Player B is at the low post.
2: Player A passes to Player B in the low post.
3: Player B looks to score or pass back to Player A for an open shot.
4: Players rotate if needed to create better scoring opportunities.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice passing and positioning in the post.
Tip #2: Encourage quick decisions to take advantage of open shots.
7. Simple Motion Offense
An offense that encourages continuous movement and passing, allowing players to find open shots.
Instructions:
1: Players position themselves around the court, spacing out.
2: Players pass the ball while continuously moving and cutting.
3: Look for open shots or driving lanes as the defense shifts.
Tips:
Tip #1: Emphasize spacing and movement without the ball.
Tip #2: Encourage quick passes and decision-making.
8. Inbound Play: Quick Pass
An inbound play designed to get the ball quickly to a player for an immediate scoring opportunity.
Instructions:
1: The inbounder passes the ball to a player near the basket.
2: The receiver quickly takes a shot or goes for a layup.
3: The other players set screens or create spacing to assist.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice quick, accurate inbound passes.
Tip #2: Ensure the receiver is ready to shoot as soon as they get the ball.
9. Perimeter Passing
A play that focuses on quick passing around the perimeter to find an open shot.
Instructions:
1: Players pass the ball around the perimeter while moving.
2: Look for openings created by defensive shifts.
3: The player with the open shot takes it, or passes to an open teammate.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice quick, precise passing and movement.
Tip #2: Ensure players are always looking for open teammates.
10. Fast Break
A play that utilizes a fast break to score quickly after a defensive rebound or steal.
Instructions:
1: Players quickly move down the court after a rebound or steal.
2: Player A passes to Player B, who drives to the basket.
3: Players C and D run to create spacing and support.
4: Player B attempts a quick shot or layup.
Tips:
Tip #1: Emphasize speed and accurate passing.
Tip #2: Encourage players to run the floor and create open shots.
11. 1-4 Offense
An offense where one player is positioned at the top of the key and four players are spaced around the court.
Instructions:
1: Position one player at the top of the key and four players around the perimeter.
2: The top player dribbles and passes to any of the perimeter players.
3: Players cut or screen to create scoring opportunities.
4: The ball is passed until an open shot is available.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice spacing and movement around the court.
Tip #2: Encourage quick passing and shooting.
12. Isolation Play
A play designed to isolate a key player to take advantage of a one-on-one situation.
Instructions:
1: Position the key player on one side of the court.
2: Clear out the other players to create space.
3: The key player dribbles or drives to score.
4: Support players are ready to rebound or assist if needed.
Tips:
Tip #1: Ensure the key player is skilled in driving and shooting.
Tip #2: Practice creating and taking advantage of isolation opportunities.
13. Screen Away
A play that uses screens to free up a player for an open shot.
Instructions:
1: Position the player to be screened near the perimeter.
2: Set a screen away from the ball for the player.
3: The screened player cuts towards the ball and receives a pass.
4: The player takes a shot or drives to the basket.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice setting and using screens effectively.
Tip #2: Ensure the player receiving the screen is ready to shoot or drive.
14. 3-2 Zone Offense
An offense designed to break down a 3-2 zone defense using movement and passing.
Instructions:
1: Position players around the perimeter and one player in the high post.
2: Pass the ball around the perimeter, looking for gaps in the zone.
3: The high post player looks to receive a pass and take a shot or pass to an open teammate.
4: Use quick passes and movement to exploit the zone defense.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice moving and passing to find openings in the zone.
Tip #2: Encourage players to be patient and find the best scoring opportunity.
15. High-Low Action
A play that uses the high and low positions to create scoring opportunities in the paint.
Instructions:
1: Position one player at the high post and another at the low post.
2: Pass the ball to the high post player.
3: The high post player looks for the low post player for an easy basket.
4: The low post player can also pass back to the high post if needed.
Tips:
Tip #1: Emphasize quick and accurate passing between the high and low post players.
Tip #2: Ensure good positioning and movement in the post.
16. Quick Cut
A simple play where players make quick cuts to create open shots or driving lanes.
Instructions:
1: Players start at the perimeter, and one player dribbles towards the basket.
2: The dribbling player passes to a teammate and makes a quick cut.
3: The teammate looks for the cutter or takes a shot.
4: The cutter attempts a layup or a shot.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice quick cuts and timing of passes.
Tip #2: Ensure players are ready to receive and take the shot.
17. Dribble Drive
An offensive play that focuses on driving to the basket with the ball and creating scoring opportunities.
Instructions:
1: The player with the ball drives towards the basket.
2: Teammates spread out to create space and support.
3: The driving player either takes a shot, passes to an open teammate, or kicks out to the perimeter.
4: Support players are ready to rebound or take a shot.
Tips:
Tip #1: Emphasize driving techniques and decision-making.
Tip #2: Practice creating and taking advantage of driving lanes.
18. Post Up
A play where a player positions themselves in the low post to receive the ball and score.
Instructions:
1: Position the post player in the low post.
2: Pass the ball to the post player, who attempts to score with a move.
3: Other players create spacing and support for the post player.
4: The post player can also pass to an open teammate if needed.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice post moves and positioning.
Tip #2: Ensure good spacing and support from teammates.
19. Out-of-Bounds Play: Quick Screen
An out-of-bounds play that uses a screen to create an open shot or passing opportunity.
Instructions:
1: Position the inbounder and a shooter near the out-of-bounds line.
2: The inbounder passes to the shooter, who uses a screen set by a teammate.
3: The shooter takes an open shot or drives to the basket.
4: Other players set screens or create spacing.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice timing and positioning for screens.
Tip #2: Ensure the shooter is ready to take the shot quickly.
20. Elbow Play
A play that utilizes the elbow area of the court to create scoring opportunities.
Instructions:
1: Position one player at the elbow and another player on the opposite side of the court.
2: The player at the elbow passes to the player on the opposite side.
3: The player at the elbow cuts towards the basket and receives a pass.
4: The player at the elbow attempts a shot or layup.
Tips:
Tip #1: Practice precise passing and cutting.
Tip #2: Ensure good positioning to take advantage of the open look.
Top 20 Offensive Plays for Youth Basketball Teams Conclusion
Effective offensive plays for youth basketball teams are those that simplify the game, promote teamwork, and provide ample opportunities for players to score.
By incorporating these plays into your practice sessions, you can help your basketball players develop their skills and understanding of the game while keeping them engaged and motivated.
