Combine Multiple Actions to Develop Offense (Introduction)

Imagine that space aliens (middle schoolers) arrive and we're assigned to teach basketball offense. Their size and athleticism vary, and they commit to build physical and mental skill. They are willing learners, focused, and fully engaged. Where do we begin?

Instill core offensive values. 

"Play hard, play smart, play together." 
"Maximize every possession." 
"Basketball is a game of cutting and passing." 
"Movement kills defense.
"Get quality shots."
"Value the ball. Take care of the ball. The ball is gold." 

We teach players individual and small group actions. Combine them in different ways to generate quality chances. We know which actions challenge defenses...do more to stress the defense. 

Better fundamentals accelerate offensive development. Structure actions to test ball containment, defend the post and the perimeter, to defend ball and off-ball screens, to challenge cutters, and close out. 

Determine what works for your personnel and personality. Inform players that skills dictate whether they're scorers, facilitators, or screeners. "Become more to do more; do more to become more." 

We haven't had any size, so we structure offense away from the basket and need to excel in the middle of the court. I don't see that changing. Develop actions on both sides of the floor, to get paint touches and ball reversal. Get everyone involved to the degree their skills permit. 

Simplify the game. 

What core elements belong for our aliens?

Give-and-go. 

Back cuts.

Pick-and-roll. 
Ball reversal.

UCLA and shuffle cuts.

Off-ball screens (limit implementation early on)

    -back, cross, down, diagonal, elevator, flare, stagger, loop 

Flex cut.
Screen-the-screener.

Give and Go. Players "not involved" must learn RELOCATION into passing lanes. 

Ball reversal. 

"We do what we do and we do it together." Our knowledge is only one lever to pull. 

Bonus: understand what motivates - money, power, success, status, and occasionally higher aspirations...

"Why did we fail to achieve something?" We stake a claim on missing resources (which may be true). Robbins argues the key is to maximize our resourcefulness and tap into emotion.