Building a Secondary Offense: Transition, Flow & 'Play the Game' Concepts

with Duane Simpkins;
American University Head Coach;
2025 Patriot League Regular Season Champions;
2025 Patriot League Tournament Champions;
George Mason University Assistant Coach (2015-2023);
UNC Greensboro Assistant Coach (2012-2015);
Towson Basketball Operations Coordinator (2011-2012);
St. Albans School (DC) Head Basketball Coach;
Sidwell Friends School (DC) Head Basketball Coach;
Bishop O'Connell HS (VA) Assistant Coach;
Played professionally from 1997-2003 in the USBL, ABA, and in Italy and China;
Played college basketball at Maryland for Gary Williams;
Played for Morgan Wootten at DeMatha Catholic HS (MD);
McDonald's All-American (1992)

In this outstanding video, American University's Duane Simpkins shares the offensive philosophy that has helped his teams play with pace, spacing and confidence. Coach Simpkins demonstrates how to build a secondary offense that flows naturally into his 'Play the Game offense, allowing players to make smart decisions while maintaining offensive structure.

Simpkins begins by explaining the importance of scoring within the first seven seconds of the possession. Coaches will learn how to organize transition offense, emphasize defensive rebounding to ignite the break and create high quality scoring opportunities through layups, open three point shots and trips to the free throw line before the defense becomes organized.

Coach Simpkins progresses through a complete series of offensive concepts that build continuity throughout the possession, including:

• Transition organization that flows directly into secondary offense!
• Double drag ball screen actions that create multiple scoring options!
• Army, Marine and Navy cuts that establish clear teaching terminology and offensive recognition!
• Ball screen concepts for corner empty, corner filled and two behind alignments!
• Away actions including Curl, Get, Flip, Keep, Stag and Twirl variations!
• The Four D's that teach player movement and spacing after penetration!
• Baseline and middle drive reactions that keep the offense connected and difficult to defend!
• Two player actions, reset concepts and continuity options that allow players to continue attacking without stopping the offense!

Throughout the video, Coach Simpkins emphasizes teaching rather than memorization. He explains how consistent terminology, 'sticky words' and clear offensive rules help players process information more quickly and make instinctive decisions during live play. Coaches will also gain valuable insights into adapting offensive concepts to their personnel rather than forcing players into a rigid system.

More than a collection of quick hitters, this video presents a complete offensive philosophy built around spacing, decision making and continuous movement. The result is an offense that creates structure while giving players the confidence to read the defense and simply play the game.

If you want to improve your transition offense while developing players who understand how to play with freedom, pace and purpose, Coach Simpkins provides a complete blueprint for building an offense that consistently creates quality scoring opportunities.

Customer Review: 5 Out of 5!!: 'I thought this video by Coach Duane Simpkins is a five out of five. I loved all of the offensive actions he demonstrated. The awesome thing about his system is that they all come from similar set-ups, but they have wrinkles within them that challenge defenses. Throughout the video, he does a great job having players demonstrate these hard-to-guard actions and explain why that counter is particularly important in his offensive scheme. This was a well done video and I would highly recommend it to anyone!'

77 minutes. 2026.