Basketball Wheel Offense Pdf

Offense

Animated basketball play called carolina motion. From the categories: offense motion and offense man. Animated basketball play called carolina motion. From the categories: offense motion and offense man.

The wheel offense is one of the oldest offensive strategies in basketball. It was one of the offensive fore runners for what we know today as motion and continuity offenses. Aspects of the wheel offense can be seen in many modern offensive structures as well as being an offensive system in its own right.

The wheel offense was created by Garland Pinholster, Head Coach at Oglethorpe University in the 1950’s. It was Coach Pinholster’s vision to develop an offense that could be used against both man to man and zone defences. This concept alone would make it more versatile than most offensive sets then and something even in today’s modern coaching landscape, with a multitude of offenses, is very rare. As part of Garland Pinholster’s development of options for the wheel offense various terminal sets and trick plays were also added for greater flexibility in the offense. Coach Pinholster also wanted an offense that could be run with a variety of different players of changeable height and ability.

The wheel offense is a relatively simple and versatile offense, which allows it be used by a wide range of different players with different abilities. Although the offense has been surpassed by more complex offenses that play to the individual strengths of certain players. The wheel offense is still effective for teams who know how to work players into scoring positions which are focused around the individual’s offensive strengths and skill sets.

Some coaches have cited the wheel offense as a solid team building exercise, because it forces all of the five players on the court to rely on each other and work on their offensive skills.

The offense allowed teams without an individual standout talent to work the ball with player movement to get highly efficiency shots. Because of the constant player movement it also created regular mismatches on the offensive end, with it’s frequent cuts often causing the defence to have to switch post players onto perimeter players, and vice versa.

The key strength of the wheel offense is its versatility. To truly uphold the philosophy of the wheel offense system all five players need to be strong shooters, ball handlers, and cutters. That means that the defence does not know where the offensive focal point is. If anyone on the court can shoot and score, all five defensive players have to stay focused for longer, which is demanding even for the most well drilled teams. It is important to note that if your players are not well rounded as part of your strategy, you can still use the wheel offense. Just make sure these players understanding what their offensive options are when they are to use these skills.

As with many motion or continuity offences the wheel offense has a number of disadvantages and as a coach you should be aware of these to avoid them hampering your implementation. The first issue is that the offense can make players focus too much on the pattern of the offense and not enough on making good “reads” from the defensive player in front of them. Players will often revert to running the movement and not the opportunity when they become fatigued both physically or mentally.

Additionally in its original set the wheel offense does not allow a creative offensive player to get isolated. If you have a talented player who can help get you easy baskets, that player would have to break the offensive scheme in order to be effective. So be prepared to add additional play options to allow for this flexibility.

As an older offense, it does not make use of many modern basketball innovations such as screens. Screens and variations to the cuts would make this offense much more effective, but could also make it more rigid, like the Princeton Offense, one of its more complex descendants.

Because the wheel offense uses a number of misdirection and optional trick plays, and relies on frequent cuts, it can be difficult for a man or zone defence to cover. The key will be your team’s ability to guard cutters effectively and this really comes down to drilling the defensive fundamentals like talking on help defence, jumping to the ball and bumping cutters.

With the offense also having a pattern element to it, focus on isolating players with a weakness from the rest of the team. If you know a player is a poor shooter try to have them catch on the perimeter and then deny the passing options hard while containing the dribble. This will disrupt the opposition’s offense and cause the wheel to become unmanageable.

Wheel Offense Standard Diagram 1

In this example of the offense, sets up in a 1-3-1 formation.

Basketball Wheel Offense Pdf

The point guard (One) passes to the shooting guard (Two) on the wing to start off the plays movement.

The center (Five) cuts to the weak side of the keyway, while the power forward (Four) replaces to the strong side low post.

The small forward (Three) then flashes to the foul line looking for a pass.

If any of those rotations are open, the shooting guard (Two) can pass to that offensive player.

Basketball wheel offense pdf cover

Just because this play looks simple, does not mean your players are allowed to run only straight cuts or stand in their spots. Sealing, creating a lead and faking should always be encouraged by the offensive players.

If not scoring opportunity presents itself. The shooting guard (Two) passes back to the point guard (One) who dribbles to the weak side of the floor making sure to finish outside the elbow extended.

The center (Five) steps out to receive the ball on the wing.

Wheel Offense Standard Diagram 3

Basketball Wheel Offense Pdf Sheet

The ball is swung to the center (Five). The small forward (Three) and power forward (Four) switch places.

The shooting guard (Two) rotates into the middle lane at the foul line.

If any of those rotations present a scoring opportunity, the center (Five) passes to that player.

The center swings the ball back to the point guard, who dribbles back to the opposite side of the floor. The small forward cuts out to the wing and the entire play resets.

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Components
1. 4 out 1 in, 3 out 2 in sets.
2. Constantly attacking the rim.
3. Utilizing the 3 point shot as a weapon.
4. Putting tremendous pressure on individual man defense of our opponents.

“1”

Basketball wheel offense pdf download
  • Attack player # 1
  • Our main ball handler.
  • The catalyst of our attacking offense
  • Will be best penetrator/creator

We look to attack at all times.

“2”

Basketball wheel offense pdf sheet
  • 2 is the best shooter and will start on the right wing.
  • Will run the right lane – Sets up two feet above free throw line extended.
  • Is the opposite end @ free throw line extended versus full court pressure.
  • “SOB” = Weak-side corner

“3”

  • Our second post or biggest guard.
  • Runs the left lane – sets up with two feet above free throw line extended.
  • Sets up in weak-side corner versus full-court pressure
  • SOB = weak side block.

“4”

  • Our best offensive post player (catcher and finisher).
  • Our best rebounder.
  • SPRINTS the floor to the rim.
  • Is opposite end of the floor versus pressure.
  • Sets up on the left block if does not have anything in transition.
  • SOB = ball-side block.

“5”

  • Our second best ball handler and creator.
  • One of our best passers.
  • One of our best offensive players.
  • Inbounds the ball with speed and trails.

Offensive Rules
1. ATTACK
2. “4 out set 1 in”, the offense will have the right block open on the initial drive.
3. “On a miss” Must fill 4 perimeter spots on a miss, run lanes and be interchangeable.
4. “On a Make” – numbered brake.
5. “Must have a drag man” (Fills behind on penetration – 5 initially)
6. “If Denied” –
• Extend defense – (creates larger gap to penetrate)
• Hard Back Door – (Dribble at = go back door) (Ball Fake = back door)
7. “Opposite Wing Flares on dribble penetration (extend the defense)
8. If there is a dribble to the corner on 4’s side, instant high low.
9. “Divers” create contact off of the dribble –
– “1st Contact” and “Second Contact”
10. Penetrators almost always empty left. “This will result in a wheel action”
11. Never pass the ball to a man inside the three-point line coming away from the basket.
12. Standing and dribbling is not productive unless a great player. Learn to play off the catch.
13. Anytime we a have a player on the block catch the ball = dive the next biggest player on the weak side to the opposite block, as well as the shooter on the weak side making a diagonal cut anticipating a skip.

“4 Set” 4 out 1 in = Wheel

  • More of a passing offense.
  • Post on the left block. If penetrators break though the shell – no one is home.
  • Extended defense = back door.
  • Never 2 wings on the right side at the same time.

“3 Set” 3 out 2 in = Kickbacks

  • Easier to penetrate ( only three on the perimeter)
  • Easier to get 3’s in this offense.
  • Look to get the ball in the “Golden Area” at the elbows.
  • Strong side post seals on penetrations.
  • Opposite wings flare.
  • Strong side wing reads defense (loops)

X

  • This is when 1 passes to 2 or 5 and instead of cutting though, 1 gives 5 trailing a rub screen to either drive or cut to receive a pass from 2.

2 Game

  • This is our stall.
  • 3 and 2 will be in the corners instead of a step above free throw line extended.
  • 5 and 1 will play keep away up top.
  • 4 is always on the block opposite of the ball.

5 Set “Hot”

  • This is our 2-1-2 press break.
  • Easy – 4 flashes middle.

4 Down

  • Isolation for the inside man.
  • Stationary on the perimeter, can interchange when next closest is pressured.
  • Good against sagging defenses where we can swing or reverse the ball with ease (defense cannot get around in time).

1 ATTACKS – “Penetration Reads for 1”

Rules
1. Pass to the corner = basket cut.
2. 1 to 5, 5 to 1 = X Cut
3. On the X-Cut – cut to the elbow. 5 waits for 1 to get to the elbow before penetrating.
4. On any penetration or pass = 2 players to the corner and 1 player will drag behind.
5. If you want 1 and 5 to be your primary ball handlers = always X cut – this will keep them up top.
6. Options on penetration = get to the rim, wrap around lay-up, kick for 3.
7. On any dribble to the wing = go back door.
8. Sub – 3 minutes on – 1 minute off – 3 minutes on.
9. Always sub 2-3 at a time, never 4.
10. In a 40 minute game = shoot 110 shots.
11. In a 32 minute game = 75 shots.

1 4 Basketball Offense Pdf

Offensive Alignments
Wheel = 4 out 1 in
Kickbacks = 3 out 2 in
4 = Spread Offense – delay game
Hot = 2-1-2
5 = 4 out 1 on isolation for the post
2 Game = Stall, 1 and 5 play keep away up top.
13 = 1-3-1 alignment against zone
14 = 4 out 1 in against zone
Box = Zone Set
Spread = Zone Set

Dribble Rules
Crack back = Dribble from the wing to the post area, nearest perimeter player
fills behind.

Loop = Dribble from the top of the key area to the paint/foul
area and the nearest person up top fills behind for the 3.
Drift = Baseline drive, basline drift.
Fade = Drive from the top, wing players fade to the corner.
Opposite = Dribble at a post player, he will always cut opposite.
Go = Dribble at, back door.
Yo Yo = Dribble replace.
Dribble Throw back = Drive in the lane, jump stop, turn and throw behind.
Button Hook = Dribble at a man to post him up.
Flash = Low post player will flash high and we will enter the ball to
the post by using the dribble to improve the angle. (yo,yo)
to circle to post-feed.
Circle = Send the corner man through with an opposite post screen
*Circle with a back screen
circle to post-feed.
Shallow = Dribble replace

Pass Rules
Pass to the wing = Basket cut and fill opposite.
Pass guard to guard = X – cut to the dead spot.
Pass to the post = Dive and split
Sweep = Hand off
Double sweep = 2 Hand offs
Triple sweep = 3 Hand offs
Pass Fake = Back cut
X = Side cut
Smash = Back screen
Post = Basket cut ball screen
Post Feed = Split

Click on the pdf link to download the basketball coaching clinic notes:

Wheel Offense by Anthony Menard