Basketball Team Offense: The Secret Playbook of Passing & Scoring
The Story of Teamwork Magic
Imagine you and your friends are trying to share cookies with someone across the room. But there’s a big grumpy cat sitting in the middle, blocking your way! What do you do?
You work together! One friend distracts the cat, another sneaks around the side, and suddenly—cookie delivered!
That’s exactly what basketball offense is about. It’s teamwork magic to get past defenders and score!
The Universal Analogy: The Cookie Delivery Team
Throughout this guide, think of:
- The Ball = A delicious cookie you want to deliver
- Your Teammates = Cookie delivery helpers
- Defenders = Grumpy cats trying to block you
- The Basket = The friend waiting for their cookie!
1. Pick and Roll Offense
What Is It?
Your teammate becomes like a friendly wall. They stand still to block the grumpy cat (defender), and you roll around them to deliver the cookie!
How It Works
- You have the ball (the cookie)
- Your friend runs over and stands like a statue (this is the “PICK”)
- Your defender bumps into the statue — oops!
- Your friend spins toward the basket (this is the “ROLL”)
- You pass to them — easy basket!
graph TD A["You Have Ball"] --> B["Teammate Sets Pick"] B --> C["Defender Gets Blocked"] C --> D["Teammate Rolls to Basket"] D --> E["Pass & Score!"]
Real Example
Imagine this:
- LeBron has the ball
- Anthony Davis runs up and stands still beside LeBron’s defender
- The defender crashes into AD like bumping into a tree
- AD spins toward the hoop
- LeBron throws a perfect pass
- SLAM DUNK!
Why It Works: The defender has to choose—follow you or follow the rolling teammate. Either way, someone is open!
2. Pick and Pop Offense
What Is It?
Just like Pick and Roll, BUT instead of rolling to the basket, your teammate POPS backward to shoot a jump shot. Like a jack-in-the-box popping up!
How It Works
- Teammate sets the pick (same wall)
- Instead of rolling forward…
- They POP backward to the three-point line
- You pass to them
- They take an open jump shot!
The Difference
| Pick and Roll | Pick and Pop |
|---|---|
| Teammate goes TO basket | Teammate goes AWAY from basket |
| Looking for layup/dunk | Looking for jump shot |
| Best for athletic bigs | Best for shooting bigs |
Real Example
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green:
- Draymond sets a screen
- Curry zooms past with the ball
- Draymond doesn’t roll—he POPS to the three-point line
- Curry passes back to Draymond
- Wide open three-pointer!
3. Give and Go
What Is It?
This is the simplest, oldest trick in basketball. It’s like playing catch while running!
Give the ball to your friend. Go run somewhere new. Get it back!
How It Works
- Give: Pass the ball to a teammate
- Go: Sprint toward the basket (or open space)
- Get it back: Teammate passes to you
- Score!
Why Does It Work?
Defenders are lazy watchers. When you pass the ball, your defender often watches the ball instead of you. That’s when you zoom past them!
graph TD A["Pass to Teammate"] --> B["Defender Watches Ball"] B --> C["You Cut to Basket"] C --> D["Teammate Passes Back"] D --> E["Easy Layup!"]
Real Example
At recess basketball:
- You pass to your friend near the three-point line
- Your defender relaxes and watches your friend
- You sprint past your sleeping defender
- Your friend bounces the ball back to you
- Nobody near you—layup!
4. Backdoor Cut
What Is It?
When the grumpy cat is REALLY guarding you hard at the front door, you sneak in through the back door!
How It Works
- A defender is guarding you very tightly
- Pretend you’re going TOWARD the ball
- Suddenly spin and run BEHIND the defender
- Teammate throws the ball to the basket area
- You catch it behind everyone—wide open!
The Fake-Out
The key is selling the fake. Make your defender believe you want the ball OUT FRONT. Step toward it. Look at it. Then WHOOSH—go the other way!
Real Example
Picture this:
- You’re on the wing, guarded super tight
- You step toward your teammate with the ball
- Defender leans forward to block the pass
- You spin 180 degrees and sprint to the basket
- Teammate throws a perfect bounce pass
- You catch it under the hoop—two points!
5. High-Low Offense
What Is It?
Imagine two tall friends—one at the top of the key (HIGH) and one near the basket (LOW). They work together like a seesaw!
How It Works
- One big player stands at the free-throw line (HIGH)
- Another big player stands near the basket (LOW)
- The ball goes to the HIGH player
- The LOW player’s defender looks at the HIGH player
- HIGH passes to LOW for an easy bucket!
The Magic
When you’re LOW and your defender turns their head to watch the HIGH player, they can’t see you anymore. You slide into perfect position!
graph TD A["Ball to HIGH Post"] --> B[LOW Player's Defender Looks Up] B --> C["LOW Player Sneaks Behind"] C --> D["HIGH Passes to LOW"] D --> E["Easy Score Inside!"]
Real Example
Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol:
- Pau at the high post with the ball
- Shaq down low, defender watching Pau
- Pau fakes a shot, Shaq’s defender jumps
- Pau passes down to Shaq
- Nobody can stop Shaq that close!
6. Inside-Out Offense
What Is It?
Start the cookie inside the house, then pass it outside. Then back inside for the surprise!
The ball goes inside, defenders collapse, you kick it outside for an open shot!
How It Works
- Pass the ball inside to a post player
- All defenders rush to help inside
- Post player kicks it OUT to a shooter
- Shooter has a wide-open three!
Why It Works
Defenders HATE when the ball is near the basket. They all run over to help. But that leaves shooters alone outside!
The Rhythm
Inside (defenders panic) → Outside (open shot) → Inside again (if they close out, pass back in!)
Real Example
San Antonio Spurs style:
- Ball goes to Tim Duncan in the post
- Three defenders crowd around him
- Duncan sees Tony Parker wide open at three-point line
- Kicks it out
- SPLASH! Three-pointer!
7. Ball Reversal
What Is It?
Swing the ball from one side of the court to the other. Like waving a flag back and forth, making the grumpy cats run back and forth until they’re tired!
How It Works
- Ball is on the left side of the court
- Defense shifts left to guard it
- Pass to the top, then to the right side
- Defense scrambles to catch up
- Someone on the right is now OPEN!
Why It Works
Defenders are slower than the ball. A pass travels 30 feet in one second. A defender takes 2-3 seconds to run that far. The ball always wins the race!
graph TD A["Ball on Left Side"] --> B["Defense Shifts Left"] B --> C["Pass to Top"] C --> D["Pass to Right Side"] D --> E["Defense Still Running Left"] E --> F["Open Shot on Right!"]
Real Example
Any good basketball team:
- Ball is on the left wing, no shot available
- Pass to point guard at the top
- Point guard swings it to the right wing
- Right-side player catches while defender is still running
- Open three-pointer or drive to the basket!
Putting It All Together
The Offense Toolbox
| Play | Best When | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Pick and Roll | Big athletic teammate | Layup or dunk |
| Pick and Pop | Good shooting teammate | Open jump shot |
| Give and Go | Defender ball-watches | Easy backdoor layup |
| Backdoor Cut | Overplayed on the wing | Layup behind defense |
| High-Low | Two skilled big players | Inside scoring |
| Inside-Out | Strong post player + shooters | Open three-pointers |
| Ball Reversal | Defense shifts too much | Open perimeter shots |
The Secret?
These plays COMBINE!
- Run a Pick and Roll into a Ball Reversal
- Use Give and Go after Inside-Out
- Mix Backdoor Cuts with High-Low!
You’re Now a Playmaker!
You just learned 7 powerful offensive plays that NBA teams use every single game.
The next time you watch basketball or play with friends, you’ll see these plays everywhere!
Remember: The ball is the cookie, your teammates are helpers, and together you always find a way to deliver it to the basket!
Now go practice—and have fun with your new playbook!