🏀 TEACHING Offense for Boys & Girls
As players get older, everything begins to speed up — the game, the reads, the decisions, the teamwork. There is an important skill in learning how to create space, move with purpose, and play confidently under pressure. This can all be learnt during early years, and developed as boys and girls mature in their basketball journey. Earlier this week I attended a basketball clinic run by the Opal’s head coach Sandy Brondello and this inspired me to reflect on what and how we teach offense to our younger athletes.
At One Thru Five, we focus on building thinking players 🧠 — athletes who understand why the game works the way it does, not just what play to run.
1. Giving Everyone Room to Play
We start and acknowledge players spread around an area. This could be the perimeter, this could be a jump circle, this could be a baseline or a sideline or the area inside the key.
Why it matters:
More room to drive 🚗
If there is a pass to another player, everyone gets touches 👐
More space means less crowding and chaos
Understanding space — is one of the most important skills at this age.
2. ➡️ PassING, Cutting & Screening With Purpose
If there’s one golden rule we love, it’s this:
After you pass… you must MOVE. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
That movement might be:
A strong cut to the basket
A screen for a teammate 🧱
To replace to fill space 🔄
Why it’s huge:
It creates flow, unpredictability (harder to guard), and teamwork (someone does, others pay attention) — and prevents “pass and freeze” habits.
3. 🧭 Off-Ball Activity: Creating Opportunities Without the Ball
Junior athletes (think U14 all the way to U18 and beyond) who improve fastest are often the ones who move without the ball.
There are a number of ways to teach boys and girls to:
Back-cut when overplayed ✂️
Drift to open space on drives 🌊
Stay ready with hands and feet prepared ✋👣
Why it matters:
Offence becomes a team effort, not a one-player show.
4. ⚡ QUICK Decisions PREVENTS Hesitation
We encourage players to make and anticipate decisions early:
Shoot 🏹
Pass 👉
Drive 💨
And reflect on why they were holding, freezing or dribbling the air out of the ball.
Why:
Builds individual confidence
Enables players to play the game at a higher speed
Reduces turnovers 🔄
Makes offence fun 🎶
As one of the biggest jumps as boys and girls get older U13 —> U15 or U12 —> U13.
6. 🦵 Two-Foot Finishes & Balance: Strong, Safe, Controlled
Kids grow fast — coordination changes, balance shifts.
We focus on:
Jump stops 🛑
Two-foot finishes 🦶🦶
Pivots 🌀
Controlled gathers
Why it matters:
Better balance = better decisions + safer play + more made layups. Good habits built during earlier years also builds habits, balance and proprioception for injury prevention and injury management.
💬 Final Word
Offence at the junior level is about building boys and girls who can think, move, and play together — not just learning plays.
At One Thru Five, our coaching focuses on spacing, movement, decision-making, teamwork, and confidence. These concepts are the foundation for long-term basketball development and for future success.
To see how we teach these ideas, explore our programs at onethrufive.com.au
