Downhill Offense Made Simple: Layers, Scoring Cuts & Paint Touches for an Unscoutable Attack

with Grant Leonard
Queens University of Charlotte Head Coach;
2026 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Tournament Champions;
Head coach appointment was simultaneous to Queens moving to D-I;
2022 Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic Rose Hall Division Champions;
Queens University Associate Head Coach from 2016 to 2022;
Queens University Assistant Coach from 2013 to 2016;
Paine College Assistant Coach from 2011 to 2013;
Flagler College Assistant Coach from 2009 to 2010;
Played college basketball for William Penn University

Flow Meets Freedom: Grant Leonard's Downhill Offense
Keeping your offense simple, teachable, and productive doesn't mean sacrificing creativity or pace, and in this video, Coach Grant Leonard proves it by walking you through his Downhill Offense: a fast-paced, read-and-react system built on tempo, clarity, and relentless rim pressure.

Whether you're rebuilding a roster or refreshing your scheme, Coach Leonard's approach gives your team structure and freedom, allowing your players to play fast, with purpose, and without overthinking.

Three Layers to Offensive Flow:
Coach Leonard teaches a progression-based offensive system organized into three layers. Each layer is easy to install and helps players understand how to create, keep, and capitalize on advantages.

Layer 1: Transition
Run with purpose! Learn how to:

• Use the "Sequence Drill" to connect transition spacing with downhill actions
• Teach sprinting to help teammates, not just for spacing
• Initiate quick-hitting plays without needing a called set

Layer 2: Secondary Break Options
When the break slows, the pressure continues. Coach Leonard shows how to:

• Use dribble handoffs, empty corner entries, and pistol action to attack
• Teach players to make reads on the fly within a simple framework
• Maintain rhythm and spacing through movement and timing

Layer 3: Paint Touches & Scoring Cuts
Finish the job! Players are taught to:

• Use scoring cuts and backdoor actions to disrupt defenses
• Attack the paint with intention to force rotations and open looks
• Use drills like "Around the Horn" to connect movement with decision-making

Teaching Randomness with Purpose:
Coach Leonard emphasizes "planned randomness" - blending freedom and structure. Learn:

• How to practice spontaneous reads with a purpose
• How to build confidence in unpredictable moments
• How to maintain spacing even when the play breaks down

Bonus Concepts & Drills:

• Dead Ball Offense: Quick hitters, circle cuts, and how to keep flow after stoppages
• Tracking Offense: A unique drill to teach off-ball reads and second-side execution
• PPP Breakdown: Use points-per-possession data to guide offensive priorities

Simple. Fast. Efficient. Coach Leonard's Downhill Offense gives you a complete system that empowers your players to play with pace and purpose and keeps defenses on their heels from tip to buzzer.

74 minutes. 2025.