Series: Teaching Off-Ball Movement Through Continuous Offenses — Part 4
Why the Double Down-screen Motion Offense Works
A simple rule can create purposeful movement in your basketball offense: pass to one wing, then screen away for the opposite wing.
This double down-screen entry gives your team a clear way to start that action. Both wings screen down for the low players, bringing them up to receive the ball. From there, the offense flows into pass-and-screen-away movement that helps players practice screening, cutting, and creating opportunities for teammates.
Below, we’ll break down the starting alignment, the opening screens, and the teaching points that help the action work.
Starting Alignment: Three Out, Two In
Begin in a 1–2–2 alignment:
1 has the ball at the top.
2 and 3 start on the wings, near free-throw-line extended.
4 and 5 start near the low blocks.
The wings need enough room to move down and establish their screens. The low players should be ready to set up their defenders before cutting toward the perimeter.
These numbers describe starting spots. You can assign players based on the matchups and skills you want to develop.
The Entry: Two Down Screens
The offense begins with simultaneous down screens on both sides of the floor.
1 centers the ball at the top.
2 and 3 move down to screen for 4 and 5.
4 and 5 use the screens to cut up toward the wings.
1 passes to an available wing to begin the next action.
A down screen is an off-ball screen set by a player moving toward the baseline to free a teammate coming up the floor. In this entry, each wing screens for a low player.
Here, “double” refers to the two down screens happening on opposite sides of the floor. It does not mean two players screening the same defender.
Coaching the Entry
Teach the cutters to let the screens develop. Leaving early makes it easier for defenders to follow without encountering the screen.
The screeners should arrive under control and establish a legal screening position. The cutters should bring their defenders toward the screen, then cut close enough to make it effective.
After screening, players must clear into available space or respond to an opening near the basket. Avoid leaving both screeners standing in the lane.
The Continuation: Pass, Then Screen Away
Once a low player comes up to the wing and receives the pass, the passer screens away for the opposite wing.
For example, if 1 passes to 4 on one wing, 1 then screens for 5 on the opposite wing. That gives 5 an opportunity to use the screen and become the next receiving option.
The teaching rule is straightforward:
Pass to one side. Screen the other way.
“Screen away” describes the screen’s relationship to the ball. After passing, the player moves away from the ball to screen for a teammate.
As the action continues, players need to preserve passing lanes and fill available space. Start by teaching the first pass and screen-away action clearly. Add further movement once players can execute that sequence with good timing and spacing.
Teaching Points That Make the Action Work
1. Make the Pass Before Leaving
Players can rush toward their next assignment before completing the pass.
Emphasize a controlled pass to the receiver, followed by a purposeful move into the screen. The screen-away action should follow the pass without sacrificing passing accuracy.
2. Screen a Defender
Young players often run toward a teammate and stop nearby without affecting the defender.
Help the screener identify the defender they are screening and choose an angle that supports the intended cut. Establish a legal position and avoid moving into the defender as contact occurs.
3. Set Up the Cut
The player using the screen has a job, too.
Teach the cutter to move their defender before changing direction, wait for the screen to be established, and come close to the screener. Leaving a large gap gives the defender room to squeeze through.
4. Read the Defense
Once players understand the basic route, introduce options based on the defender’s response.
If the defender trails: The cutter can curl toward the basket when space is available.
If the defender takes away the intended cut: Look for a backcut when the lane and passing angle are open.
If defenders switch: The screener may have an opportunity to seal a smaller defender.
Introduce one read at a time. Players should understand the base action before being asked to choose among several options.
5. Keep the Floor Balanced
Movement only helps if it creates usable space.
Watch for players cutting into occupied areas, screeners remaining in the lane, and teammates crowding the ball. Pause the action when necessary and show players where an open passing lane or empty spot has developed.
How to Introduce It in Practice
Start Without Defense
Walk through the alignment, both down screens, the wing pass, and the opposite-wing screen.
Ask players to identify whom they are screening for and where the ball is going. Run the entry to both sides.
Add Guided Defenders
Have defenders follow the cutters initially so players can practice timing, screening angles, and passing windows.
Then introduce one defensive response, such as trailing the screen, and teach the corresponding read.
Progress to Live Play
Let the defense compete and ask the offense to begin with the double down-screen entry.
Evaluate whether players create an advantage, recognize an open teammate, and maintain spacing. A clean scoring opportunity is a reason to attack, even if it arrives before the full sequence is complete.
Common Problems to Watch For
The cutter leaves before the screen arrives.
Slow the action down and reinforce the sequence: set up the defender, wait for the screen, then cut.
The passer watches the ball after passing.
Return to the cue: “Pass, screen the other way.”
The screen misses the defender.
Review the screener’s target and angle.
The lane becomes crowded.
Clarify where players move after screening and which spaces need to remain open.
Build and Share the Sequence in Hoops Lab
Use Hoops Lab to diagram the starting alignment, animate the down-screen entry, and show the pass-and-screen-away action that follows.
Sharing the sequence gives players a visual reference for where to start, whom to screen for, and how the next movement develops.
Explore the basketball play designer →
For help organizing this action alongside your other sets and concepts, read our guide:
How to Create a Basketball Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide for Coaches →
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pass and screen away” mean?
After passing the ball to a teammate, the passer moves away from the ball to screen for another player. In this example, a pass to one wing is followed by a screen for the opposite wing.
Is a down screen the same as a screen away?
The terms describe different aspects of a screen. A down screen describes its direction, with the screener moving toward the baseline. A screen away describes its location relative to the ball. Depending on the action, a screen can fit both descriptions.
Is this a screen-the-screener offense?
That depends on the continuation. Screen-the-screener action occurs when a player sets a screen and subsequently receives a screen from another teammate. The opening two down screens alone do not establish that sequence.
Can players exchange roles?
Yes. The starting numbers identify positions in the diagram. Rotating players through the roles can help them learn both screening and using a screen.
More Ways to Teach Off-Ball Movement
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.
Teaching Off-ball Movement with Continuous Motion Offenses
Developing Decision-Makers with the Read and React Offense
The Flex Offense: Teaching Timing and Screening
5 Offensive Habits Every Player Should Learn from Continuous Motion Systems