Making Motion Offense Unstoppable: Ball Screens and Handoff Actions

with Joe Jones,
Boston University Head Men's Coach;
2022 HoopsHD.com Patriot League Coach of the Year;
2020 Patriot League Tournament Champions;
2014 Patriot League Regular Season Champions;
2020 HoopsHD.com Patriot League Coach of the Year;
2018 Reese's College All-Star Game Head Coach (West Squad);
2016 NBCSports.com Patriot League Coach of the Year;
3x Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year Award finalist ('13, '14, '20);
2x Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award finalist ('14, '17)

As the scouting becomes more thorough and prevalent at all levels, teams are always looking to create an edge offensively. An unpredictable motion offense can help give your team that advantage. 

In this presentation, Boston University’s Joe Jones outlines his motion offense – which he’s transformed into a tough-to-guard attack through the use of a variety of ball screens and handoff options. 

In this highly valuable instructional video, Coach Jones has put together a terrific presentation that provides you with:

• An in-depth knowledge of the offensive structure behind the concepts.
• Multiple off-the-ball screening actions.
• Wing and step-up ball-screen options.
• Dribble handoff options.
• Effective entries. 

Coach Jones supplies everything you’ll need to take your motion offense to the next level in this video presentation!Spacing, Movements & Offensive Actions

To begin, Coach Jones describes his development as a coach and how he has adapted what he has learned from other coaches into his own style. He starts out by showing the spacing and movements that occur off pass-and-cut actions within his motion offense. Jones explains why having specific concepts and structure built into your motion offense allows your players the freedom to make decisions and be unpredictable within the flow of the offense. 

Playing out of the post is an important part of this motion offense. Coach Jones shows that once the ball is entered, there are a plethora of different actions that can occur. The 45-cut and elbow screen, for example, is detailed to illustrate this concept and show how these actions occupy the defense and provide multiple scoring threats off the ball. 

Every offense needs organization once the ball is put on the floor. Coach Jones details the spacing and slides along the perimeter and in the post when the ball is driven from the wing. Off-the-ball actions, such as backdoor opportunities, are also shown once a player chooses to drive.

Coach Jones shares multiple examples of actions to run within the flow of the offense and all the different scoring options that can come from each. Each of these options has a name for easy communication within the game. For example, ‘Husky’ is a double-screen away, but within that action, players can utilize other actions. The ‘Billy Cut’ is a backdoor cut for when the defense jumps the screen early and the ‘Husky’ action is also designed to bring the post player out to the perimeter for a 5-out set up. Coach Jones also includes a few counters that are designed to keep the defense honest while running ‘Husky,’ including an option that’s perfect for a big player who can shoot.

Ball Screens and Handoff Options, Entries

Coach Jones explains how he has adopted many different wrinkles within his motion offense over the years. Each tweak he has implemented serves a different purpose and has been used as specially designed actions that would be effective versus different teams and personnel. To demonstrate this, Jones runs through his ‘Motion Follow’ action, which brings the center into a slot ball screen.

Many teams now employ ice coverage defensively, and as a ‘counter to the counter,’ Coach Jones has developed a multitude of options he’s put in place and showcases three options to attack the ice coverage.

Coach Jones shows details on how using down screens into dribble handoffs on the wing are incorporated with earlier-described concepts (such as the ‘Billy Cut.’) Off-the-ball actions are also shown such as how to use down screens with flare screens. These actions keep the defense occupied, while also providing great opportunities for three-point shot options while the guard comes off the ball screen or dribble handoffs.

To make things even tougher-to-defend and create an even more potent motion offense, Coach Jones provides you with multiple entries and actions that complement the flow of the offense. Jones provides more actions that you can use against the ‘ice ball-screen coverage’ counter and shows how to effectively create space for drives to the basket.

If you are ready to take your motion offense to the next level or you are just looking for creative ways to add tough-to-guard actions for specific players, this is a must-own video for you!

Customer Review: 5 Out of 5 Stars.‘Excellent video! I really liked the actions and organization … the ideas that Coach Jones provides in this video are more valuable than anything I’ve seen in years!’

75 minutes. 2023.