5-Out Motion Offense: Teaching Reads and Spacing
Setup – 5-Out Spacing
All 5 players outside the three-point line
One at the top
Two on the wings
Two in the corners
Post player (5) usually starts at the top—this player becomes the trigger for away screens, handoffs, and reads.
Core Actions
1. Pass and Away Screen
Pass to wing → screen away from the ball.
Cutter reads the screen:
Defender trails? Curl tight to the rim.
Defender goes under? Screener pops or flips into a ball screen.
2. Backdoor Read
If a defender top-locks or overplays a pass → backcut immediately.
3. Get Action (Handoff Option)
Pass to top → sprint to retrieve a handoff.
Read the defender:
Denied? Cut backdoor.
Switch? Attack the mismatch.
Handoff faked? 5 drives the open lane.
4. Toss Action (Toss-Back into Ball Screen)
Wing passes → runs for toss-back.
5 sets ball screen right after toss → flow into drive or pass.
5. Keep Moving
After every cut, fill the open space.
The ball should keep moving—“keep it hot.”
Key Coaching Cues
“Cut hard, don’t jog.”
“Screen with purpose, then pop or roll.”
“If you're not sure, move to space and read.”
“Spacing before action—spread the floor first.”
Understanding the 5-Out Setup
How to Build the 5-Out Motion System
Why the 5-Out Offense Is So Effective
The 5-Out system is modern, clean, and hard to guard.
It teaches every player to:
Move with purpose
Read defenders
Make decisions without overthinking
It removes the clutter of stacked playbooks and replaces it with principles players can apply anywhere on the floor.
This is why it’s one of the most valuable systems for youth basketball coaches, and why high school basketball coaching staffs use it to raise IQ and spacing without running dozens of set plays.
Teaching the Away Screen
Start with your 5 at the top.
Pass to the wing → immediately screen away to the opposite side.
Teach the cutter to:
Curl if chased
Pop out if the defender goes under
Backcut if overplayed
Teach the screener to:
Reverse quickly into a ball screen
Pop to the arc for a shot or handoff
Change the angle if the defense adjusts
This creates constant decisions—and every read has a counter.
Introducing the Get Action (Handoff Flow)
The “Get” is simple:
Pass → sprint toward the ball → receive a handoff.
Here’s what to teach:
If the defense switches, create a mismatch.
If the guard is denied, backcut immediately.
If the handoff is faked, the 5 can attack the open space.
This action is especially useful for youth teams learning how to play without the ball and new guards gaining confidence attacking off movement.
Toss Action and Chain Reads
When players toss the ball and get it back for a handoff, you can build combos:
Toss into ball screen
Toss + fake + drive
Toss → slip → re-screen
These create continuous flow. If you run this well for 2–3 passes, most defenses break down.
This is one of the best basketball practice ideas to teach tempo, control, and unpredictability.
The Role of the 5 – Decision Maker in Motion
In the 5-Out, your “big” doesn’t just post—they run the show.
Teach your 5 to:
Screen, re-screen, and flip angles
Pop or short roll
Fake handoffs and attack
Hit cutters with simple passes
They don’t need elite handles or shooting—just the ability to read help defenders and make the next pass or drive.
This makes the offense great for high school basketball coaching that values positionless play.
Teaching Spacing and Misdirection
Here’s what young players need to understand:
Start wide – Don’t creep into the lane.
Backdoor on overplay – Cut behind, don’t force passes.
If the ball sticks, move – Never let the offense stall.
You can add subtle wrinkles:
Change away screen to a backscreen
Run screen-the-screener
Use a fake cut before the real one
These are teachable moments that build decision-making and instinct.
Why 5-Out Works at Every Level
Youth Teams:
Players stay spaced
Everyone touches the ball
No clutter or traffic in the paint
High School Teams:
Simplifies offensive structure
Builds off-ball habits
Creates pace and spacing for modern play
Advanced Teams:
Add DHO, flare screens, and roll/pop reads
Play with pace while maintaining spacing
Hard to scout—every possession looks the same but ends differently
Practice Plans and Teaching Tips
Use 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 drills to teach:
Away screen reads
Get action
Toss + ball screen
Rehearse spacing with cones or spots.
Stop drills to ask players what the read is, not just what the route is.
This is how you build offensive IQ, not just memorize patterns.
Final Thoughts – Teach Reads, Not Plays
The 5-Out Motion Offense is a system, not a script.
It gives your players the freedom to move, the structure to succeed, and the reps they need to grow.
When your players:
Space the floor
Cut hard
React to defenders
…you won’t just be running an offense—you’ll be teaching basketball the right way.
Let your team move, read, and react.
The results will speak for themselves.
