A key element of a motion style offence is to read the movement and actions of defenders and offensive team mates and then moving appropriately. When a team is first learning this offence the coach may wish to specify some rules that will assist them to read each other.

“Pass and Cut” is one of the basic movements in basketball. When 1 cuts from the top of the key, they may replace one another provided that they have not gone past the free throw line.

Once 1 has cut past the free throw line they must continue to move towards the basket. This rule, assists 3 to get the timing of their cut correct. They start to replace 1, after 1 cuts past the free throw line.

Similarly, 1 may dribble at the top of the key, changing direction from time to time.

Once 1 dribbles past the “elbow extended” they must continue to move away from the top of the key and continue to dribble to the wing.

This rule, enables both 2 and 3 to time their cuts – 2 cutting towards the basket and 3 replacing 1.

Whenever a player does cut into the key, coaches may introduce a rule that they must stop and face the ball, to allow other perimeter players to move.

After 2 or 3 seconds the player that cut to the key may cut to the vacant area on the perimeter.

If 2 moves toward 4, 4 may cut to the basket immediately.

If 2 cuts across the 3 point line, they must continue to the basket, and 4 may then replace them at the wing.