Series: Teaching Off-Ball Movement Through Continuous Offenses — Part 4
Why the Double Down-screen Motion Offense Works
Most youth and high school coaches want an offense that combines structure and freedom. Something that teaches players to move with purpose but doesn’t box them into memorized patterns.
Enter the Double Down-Screen Motion Offense: blend of classic pass-screen-away, screen-the-screener action and modern motion principles.
It starts with both wings screening down for your post players, creating immediate movement and spacing, and then flows seamlessly into a pass-and-screen-away continuity that keeps all five players active.
This concept draws inspiration from the Bob Knight Motion Offense. His system was built on spacing, screening, and player decision-making rather than memorized plays. Knight’s Indiana teams popularized the screen-the-screener actions that serve as the foundation for this modern version.
This offense gives players a clear starting action but teaches them how to read, react, and keep the floor balanced; perfect for developing basketball IQ.-
Formation and Setup
This offense begins in a 1–2–2 alignment (3-Out, 2-In set):
-
1 – Point guard up top.
-
2 and 3 – Wings, free-throw-line extended.
-
4 and 5 – Low post players, just above the blocks.
This structure creates vertical balance (two perimeter, two interior players) and sets up natural screening angles. It also makes the entry predictable for your players and unpredictable for the defense.
Coaching Tip:
If you don’t have true post players, you can easily run this from a 5-Out look by starting 4 and 5 near the short corners and having them pop all the way to the arc.
Primary Action — The Double Downscreen Entry
- As 1 (the point guard) dribbles toward the top of the key to center the floor, both wings (2 and 3) set downscreens for the low post players (4 and 5).
- 4 and 5 use those screens to pop up toward the wings or elbows, replacing 2 and 3.
- After screening, 2 and 3 can:
-
-
Pop out to the corners to maintain spacing, or
-
Slip to the rim if their defenders cheat the screen.
-
This quick action creates instant movement and forces switches, communication, and mismatches.
It’s also a screen-the-screener concept — the players who screened (2 and 3) often become the next scoring threats.
Flow into Motion Continuity
Once the initial downscreens are complete and the ball is entered to a wing (for example, 1 passes to 4), the offense transitions seamlessly into motion offense principles:
-
The passer (1) immediately screens away for a teammate.
-
The four players without the ball stay active — cutting, screening, and filling to maintain spacing.
-
The next pass triggers the next screen-away, creating continuous movement.
There’s no need to reset or call a new play — the motion simply loops, keeping your team in rhythm.
Key Teaching Points
1) Timing and Screening Angles
The downscreens should happen just as the point guard centers the ball.
Teach your wings to set wide, stable screens and for your post players to explode off them shoulder-to-hip.
2) Communication
Every screen should be verbalized — “Screen left!” “Use it!”
That communication builds awareness and prevents spacing breakdowns.
3) Read the Defense
If the defense switches → screener seals and rolls.
If the cutter’s defender goes under → pop or flare.
If defenders overplay → slip to the rim.
4) Maintain Spacing
Keep your team roughly 15–18 feet apart. After every cut or screen, someone must fill behind to prevent the lane from clogging.
Why It’s Perfect for Youth and High School Teams
✅ Simple entry that players can execute from multiple sets (1–2–2, 5-Out, 4-Out).
✅ Continuous movement that eliminates standing and watching.
✅ Teaches fundamental motion concepts — screening, cutting, filling, and reading.
✅ Scales easily: start with the entry and add reads as players progress.
This is the kind of offense that teaches the game while you run it.
Historical Connection
The Double Downscreen Motion is a modern interpretation of the principles first championed by Coach Bob Knight and his legendary Motion Offense at Indiana University.
Knight’s philosophy of spacing, screening, and unselfish movement remains one of the best teaching frameworks for developing basketball IQ — and this offense keeps those same ideas alive for today’s game.
What’s Next in the Series
Next up, we’ll bring it all together focusing on key skills that your players will develop with these offenses that will translate to higher basketball IQ.
Part 1: Teaching Off-ball Movement with Continuous Motion Offenses
Part 2: Developing Decision-Makers with the Read and React Offense
Part 3: The Flex Offense: Teaching Timing and Screening
Part 4: Teaching Off-Ball Movement with the Double Down-Screen Motion Offense
Part 5: 5 Offensive Habits Every Player Should Learn from Continuous Motion Systems
Frequently Asked Questions: Double Down-Screen Motion Offense
What’s the main advantage of this offense?
It combines structure (a predictable entry) with flow (continuous movement). You get the teaching benefits of motion with the reliability of a set.
Can I run this without post players?
Yes — the same actions work from a 5-Out alignment. The “post” players just start deeper on the baseline and pop all the way to the arc.
How do I prevent spacing breakdowns?
Use a consistent rule: “When someone cuts or screens, fill the open spot behind.” That keeps balance on both sides of the floor.
How is this different from the Flex Offense?
The Flex has a fixed pattern (cross screen, downscreen, repeat). The Double Downscreen Motion is patterned at the start but free-flowing afterward.
How can Hoops Lab help me teach this offense?
Hoops Lab will let you diagram the offense, animate the first and second actions, and share the sequence visually, making it easier for players to understand spacing and timing before practice.