Teaching the 5 out motion offense requires more than explaining concepts on a whiteboard. Players need repetition, muscle memory, and the chance to practice reads in controlled environments before running the full offense in games.
The drills below are designed to build the 5 out offense in layers—starting without defense, adding token resistance, and eventually moving to live competition. Each drill reinforces specific skills while keeping players engaged and learning.
For coaches working with elementary and middle school players, these drills serve a dual purpose: they teach offensive concepts while developing fundamental skills like cutting, screening, spacing, and decision-making.
Before adding defenders, players need to understand the basic movements and flow of the offense. These drills establish the foundation.
Purpose: Teach players where the five perimeter spots are and how to maintain spacing.
Setup:
Place five cones on the court at the five spots (top, both wings, both corners)
No basketballs yet—just movement
How it works:
Players start at the five spots (one player per cone)
Coach calls out "rotate right" or "rotate left"
All five players move to the next spot in that direction
Players must stay wide and fill their spot completely before the next call
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: Overhead view showing five cones at the five spots with arrows indicating rotation patterns]
Coaching points:
Wings should be at free throw line extended, not drifting high or low
Corner players stay in corners, not creeping up the baseline
Top player stays at the top of the key
Emphasize wide spacing—players should feel far apart
Progression: Once players understand the spots, remove the cones and have them maintain spacing by feel.
Purpose: Learn the basic rhythm of pass-cut-fill without defensive pressure.
Setup:
Five players at the five spots
One basketball starting at the top
How it works:
Player at top passes to either wing
Passer cuts hard to the basket, all the way through
Passer fills the opposite corner
Other three players fill toward the ball to maintain the five spots
Repeat the sequence—wing passes to corner, top, or opposite wing
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: Sequence showing pass from top to wing, cut through to opposite corner, and filling pattern of the other three players]
Coaching points:
Cuts must go all the way to the rim before filling
Passer watches the cutter through their entire cut
Players wait to fill until the passer has finished looking at the cutter (teaches timing)
No rushing—let the rhythm develop naturally
Call out "cut!" and "fill!" to reinforce the language
Progression:
Add a second ball so players are continuously passing and filling
Require players to catch in triple-threat position facing the rim
Time: Run for 5-7 minutes until movements become automatic.
Purpose: Practice all four basic passes and cuts from Progression 1.
Setup:
Five players at the five spots
One basketball
How it works: Players practice the four basic cuts in sequence:
Top to wing → passer cuts to opposite corner
Wing to corner → passer cuts through to opposite corner
Corner to wing → passer makes short cut and returns to same corner
Wing to top → corner player rotates up to wing
Run through the sequence slowly at first, then increase tempo as players get comfortable.
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: Four separate diagrams showing each cut with filling patterns clearly marked]
Coaching points:
Players should recognize which cut applies based on where they are and where they pass
Corner to wing is the only "short cut"—passer doesn't go all the way through
When the ball goes wing to top, the corner player must recognize they need to fill up to the wing
Keep track of which cuts players struggle with and give them extra reps
Progression: Call out random passes and have players execute the correct cut without prompting.
Once players understand the movements, it's time to add defensive pressure and teach them to read situations.
Purpose: Teach players when to front cut versus back cut based on defensive positioning.
Setup:
Two offensive players (one at top, one on wing)
Two defenders
One basketball
How it works:
Offensive player at top has the ball
Defender on wing plays three different ways:
Normal defense (playing behind or neutral) → wing player executes a front cut
Denying the pass (playing in the passing lane) → wing player back cuts immediately
Overplaying (too aggressive) → wing player back cuts
Top player passes to wing (or hits the cutter on back cut)
If wing receives the pass, top player cuts and they reset
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: Three scenarios showing defensive positioning and the appropriate offensive response - front cut vs back cut]
Coaching points:
Start with token defense so players can practice reading without pressure
Defender should exaggerate positioning at first (make it obvious)
Offensive players must make eye contact with the passer before cutting
Emphasize that back cuts happen immediately when denial is recognized—no waiting
If the cutter receives the ball, they should look to score
Progression:
Go live 2-on-2 and let the defender choose how to play
Add a third offensive player and defender (3-on-3)
Require offense to complete two passes before shooting
Time: 8-10 minutes with rotations.
Purpose: Build flow and timing with all five players working together.
Setup:
Five offensive players at the five spots
No defense
One basketball
How it works:
Players run the pass-cut-fill sequence continuously
Goal is to complete 10 consecutive passes without the ball hitting the floor or players losing their spots
Every pass must result in a proper cut and fill
If the ball is dropped or spacing breaks down, restart the count
Coaching points:
Focus on crisp passes and hard cuts
Watch for players drifting out of position
Passer should always watch the cutter all the way through
Cuts should be made at game speed, not casual
Players should catch in triple-threat facing the rim
Progression:
Increase the goal to 15 or 20 passes
Add a requirement that the ball must go to all five spots before shooting
Time the drill—how many passes can they make in 90 seconds?
Time: 5-8 minutes.
Purpose: Execute Progression 1 against live defense in a controlled environment.
Setup:
Four offensive players (top, both wings, one corner)
Four defenders
Half court
How it works:
Offense runs pass-cut-fill against live defense
Goal: Score within 4-5 passes using only pass and cut (no screening yet)
If defense gets a stop or forces a turnover, they become offense
Play to 5 baskets, losers run
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: 4-on-4 setup showing initial positions of offense and defense]
Coaching points:
Offense should look for cutters first, open shots second
If a player gets denied, they must back cut
Defenders will learn to cheat toward cuts—offense should recognize this and attack
Watch for spacing—if players bunch up, stop and reset
Don't let the offense rush—good spacing and hard cuts will create shots
Progression:
Add the fifth player and go 5-on-5
Set a rule: must complete 3 passes before shooting (teaches patience)
Award extra points for baskets scored off cuts
Time: 10-12 minutes.
Once pass and cut is solid, add screening away from the ball.
Purpose: Learn the mechanics of setting and using screens away from the ball.
Setup:
Three lines: one at top, one on left wing, one on right wing
Coach or manager has a ball at the top
How it works:
Player at top passes to left wing
Instead of cutting, they set a screen for the right wing player
Right wing player uses the screen and cuts tight to the basket
Screener pops back to the top
Cutter receives pass from left wing and finishes at the rim
Players rotate lines: passer goes to back of opposite wing line, screener goes to back of top line, cutter goes to back of passer's line
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: Three-line drill showing pass, screen away action, cut, and player rotation pattern]
Coaching points:
Screen must be set at an angle (screener's back toward the basket)
Screener calls the cutter's name and holds up a fist
Cutter should rub shoulder-to-shoulder with the screener (tight curl)
Screener waits for the cut before popping back out
For youth teams, always have the cutter curl to the rim (don't give them pop or fade options yet)
Progression:
Add token defense on the cutter
Require the screener to pop out and receive a pass for a shot
Time: 6-8 minutes.
Purpose: Practice screening away against live defense.
Setup:
Three offensive players (top, both wings)
Three defenders
One basketball at the top
How it works:
Top player passes to either wing
Top player must set a screen away for the opposite wing
Cutter uses the screen and looks to score
If the shot isn't there, players continue with pass-cut-fill or another screen away
Play until offense scores or defense gets a stop
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: 3-on-3 showing initial setup and screen away action]
Coaching points:
Watch the angle of the screen—too high and the defender slips under easily
Cutter must wait for the screen to be set (no rushing)
If the screener's defender helps on the cutter, the screener should be open popping out
Teach the passer to look at both options: the cutter and the screener popping
Progression:
Require two screen aways before the offense can shoot
Add a fourth or fifth player
Defenders can switch on the screen—offense must recognize and adjust
Time: 8-10 minutes.
Adding pick-and-roll elements increases scoring opportunities.
Purpose: Teach the mechanics of setting and using on-ball screens.
Setup:
Two offensive players (one on wing with ball, one at top)
Two defenders
Start with token defense
How it works:
Player at top comes down to set an on-ball screen for the wing player
Wing player uses the screen and attacks the basket
Screener reads the defense:
If their defender helps on the ball handler → roll hard to the rim
If their defender stays home → pop out for a shot
Ball handler makes the right read (score, pass to roller, or pass to popper)
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: Two scenarios - one showing roll action when defender helps, one showing pop action when defender stays]
Coaching points:
Screen must be set solid (screener's feet set, not moving)
Ball handler should attack off the screen, not just dribble sideways
Screener should wait a beat before rolling/popping (let the ball handler clear)
Ball handler should use the screen—not reject it or dribble away
Progression:
Go live 2-on-2 and let defenders make their own choices
Add a third offensive player on the weak side (teaches spacing)
Defenders can hedge, switch, or trap—offense must read and react
Time: 8-10 minutes.
Purpose: Integrate on-ball screens into the full 5 out flow.
Setup:
Five offensive players at the five spots
No defense initially
One basketball
How it works:
Players run pass-cut-fill as normal
After any pass, a player can set an on-ball screen instead of cutting or screening away
Ball handler uses the screen, screener rolls or pops
Other three players maintain spacing on the weak side
Continue the flow with passes, cuts, and screens
Coaching points:
On-ball screens should happen naturally when passing lanes are tight
Other players must stay spread—don't drift toward the ball
Screener should always roll or pop, never stand still
Ball handler can pass out of the screen if nothing is there
Progression: Add defense and make it live 5-on-5.
Time: 6-8 minutes.
The final progression handles situations where passing is difficult.
Purpose: Teach players to recognize and execute dribble-at situations.
Setup:
Two offensive players (one at top with ball, one on wing)
Two defenders
How it works:
Top player dribbles directly at the wing player
Wing player has two options:
Take the handoff and continue the offense
Back cut if their defender is pressuring
Player who gave up the ball cuts to the basket
Play out the 2-on-2
[DIAGRAM NEEDED: Two scenarios showing handoff action and back cut action off the dribble-at]
Coaching points:
Wing player must read their defender—if defender is sagging, take the handoff; if pressuring, cut
Player giving the handoff must protect the ball
Both players should be aggressive looking to score after the action
No standing around—if you give up the ball, you cut
Progression:
Add a third defender and offensive player
Require the offense to execute a dribble-at before they can shoot
Time: 6-8 minutes.
Once players are comfortable with all four progressions, these drills put everything together in competitive environments.
Purpose: Run the full offense against live defense while reinforcing specific concepts.
Setup:
Five offensive players versus five defenders
Full or half court
Set specific rules to emphasize concepts
Rule variations:
No shot until 2 screens: Forces screening and cutting
Ball must touch all 5 spots: Teaches patience and ball movement
No dribbling except to attack the basket: Emphasizes passing and cutting
Must score off a cut or screen: Rewards proper execution
How it works:
Play regular basketball but enforce the chosen rule
Violating the rule results in a turnover
Play to a score (7 or 11 baskets) or for time (8-10 minutes)
Losing team does conditioning
Coaching points:
Stop play when you see teaching moments
Don't let players revert to isolation basketball
Praise good cuts, hard screens, and smart reads
Rotate in new defenders to keep energy high
Time: 10-15 minutes.
Purpose: Build confidence in the offense by starting easy and adding difficulty.
Setup:
Start 3-on-2 (offense has advantage)
Progress to 4-on-3, then 5-on-4, then 5-on-5
How it works:
Offense runs the 5 out motion with a numbers advantage
Goal is to score quickly and efficiently
Once they score 3 baskets at 3-on-2, add a defender (now 4-on-3)
Continue until they're playing 5-on-5
Coaching points:
Even with numbers advantage, players must execute properly
Don't let them get lazy just because they outnumber the defense
Watch for players making good reads (attacking advantages, hitting cutters)
When it gets to 5-on-5, the habits built earlier should carry over
Time: 10-12 minutes total.
Don't try to install all four progressions in one practice. Spend a week (or more) on pass and cut before adding screening away. Some youth teams never need to go beyond Progression 2.
Call out what you see: "Great cut!" "Hard screen!" "Watch the cutter!" Your voice helps players understand what good execution looks like.
If a player makes a lazy cut AND fills the wrong spot, fix the cut first. Too many corrections at once overwhelms young players.
If possible, film scrimmages and show players what good spacing looks like versus bad spacing. Visual feedback accelerates learning.
Add scoring, time limits, or consequences (losers run). Competition keeps players engaged and simulates game pressure.
Make sure every player practices from every spot. The point guard needs to practice cutting from the corner. The big needs to practice making decisions from the top.
Don't just celebrate made shots. Celebrate good reads, unselfish passes, and hard cuts that create opportunities for teammates.
Players need reps without defense before they can execute against pressure. If you go live too early, bad habits form because players are just trying to survive rather than learning proper movements.
Run drills until movements become automatic. If players are still thinking about where to go, they need more reps.
Every cut should be game speed. Every screen should be solid. Every pass should be crisp. Don't accept anything less, even in drills.
Coaches sometimes rush to the advanced progressions because they look more impressive. But if players can't execute Progression 1 cleanly, adding screens and dribble-ats just creates chaos.
The goal isn't to run the drill perfectly. The goal is for players to learn. Stop when you see teaching moments. Correct mistakes. Then continue.
These drills don't just teach the 5 out motion offense—they develop fundamental basketball skills that transfer to any system.
Players who practice these drills learn:
How to cut effectively and use their body to create advantages
How to set solid screens and read defensive reactions
How to maintain spacing and understand floor balance
How to make quick decisions based on what the defense gives them
For elementary and middle school coaches, the 5 out offense and these drills provide a framework for development that keeps all five players engaged, teaches real basketball concepts, and prepares players for the next level.
Start with the basics, build in progressions, and watch your players grow into smarter, more confident decision-makers on the court.