The "Pivot Play"

Teaching young players the variety and simplicity of basic basketball sometimes gets lost. Studying the history of basketball reminds us that effective "basketball actions" pre-existed groundbreaking motion offenses developed by Newell and Knight. Nat Holman was a great player in the early days of basketball and coached CCNY to a unique double, winning the NIT and NCAA Tournament in 1950. 

He used the "pivot play" to advantage, having a center with good hands and decisions to trigger a two or three man game from the middle. Getting appropriate entry starts the play, followed by great cutting. It's also easy to envision other actions, especially from a two-guard front, for example, entry and off-ball screening by the point guard. 

When the pass can't be made, the 5 may still have a mid-range jumper or dribble drive. We're small but have players who can attack the hoop (the pivot doesn't have to be the 5)

Scissors action (by convention the passer cuts first) can create defensive confusion and the post must always be available for the roll or to rebound. Nothing beats mastery of simplicity.