5-Out Motion (Pass, Cut, Replace)

Scrimmage/finisher

Teach spacing and constant movement with one simple rule: pass, cut to the basket, then replace the open spot.

12 min 5+ (10 to go live) Half court
TeamworkPassingU12U14U16

Read & react

5+ (10 to go live) · 1 ball, half court

Get everyone ready

Five outside · one ballFive players occupy the top, both wings and both corners at the three-point perimeter. This is an unopposed teaching example; no defenders or waiting queue are omitted. 12345

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Five players spaced around the three-point arc — two corners, two wings, one up top. Nobody stands in the middle.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Keep big gaps — space the floor.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Five players spaced around the three-point arc — two corners, two wings, one up top. Nobody stands in the middle.

  1. Pass to a teammate.
  2. Cut hard to the basket, looking for a return pass (give-and-go).
  3. If you don't get it, clear out to an open spot.
  4. The nearest player replaces the spot you left — always stay 5-out.
  5. Repeat: pass, cut, replace, over and over.

Suggested reset

For a walkthrough, finish one action and stop. The shooter retrieves and returns the ball to the starting handler. Walk back outside the cutting lanes, then cycle the starting roles before repeating on the other side. Waiting groups replace the whole group between repetitions. When adding live defence, stop on a score, turnover, foul, ball out or controlled rebound; return the ball to the start and swap attack and defence.

Coaching cues

  • Keep big gaps — space the floor.
  • Cut with purpose every single time you pass.
  • Fill the open spot so the team is always balanced.
  • Move the ball side to side, don't hold it.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: Walk through it with no defence until the pattern is automatic.

Harder: Add defenders and play live, or require 5 passes before a shot counts.

Back Cut: Add one rule: if your defender overplays the pass, cut behind them to the rim instead of receiving it.

Watch it runAI-generated demonstration
What this drill teaches

A whole team offence built from one repeatable rule: pass, cut, replace. Because everyone follows the same rule, kids learn spacing and movement as a system, not memorised plays — the floor stays balanced no matter who has the ball.

In games: Replaces the game-day swarm-around-the-ball with organised, unselfish offence — an open key for cutters and drivers, and a team that doesn't collapse when one player is guarded.

What good looks like
  • A hard basket cut after every single pass, no exceptions
  • The vacated spot filled within a couple of seconds
  • The middle of the floor kept empty until a cutter uses it

U12: walk it with no defence — expect forgotten cuts and unfilled spots for weeks. U16: expect live play with back cuts punishing overplays.

Equipment

1 ball, half court

Setup

Five players spaced around the three-point arc — two corners, two wings, one up top. Nobody stands in the middle.

Steps

  1. 1Pass to a teammate.
  2. 2Cut hard to the basket, looking for a return pass (give-and-go).
  3. 3If you don't get it, clear out to an open spot.
  4. 4The nearest player replaces the spot you left — always stay 5-out.
  5. 5Repeat: pass, cut, replace, over and over.

Coaching points

  • Keep big gaps — space the floor.
  • Cut with purpose every single time you pass.
  • Fill the open spot so the team is always balanced.
  • Move the ball side to side, don't hold it.

Why kids love it

It looks and feels like real team basketball, and the simple 'pass-cut-replace' rule gives even young teams organised, unselfish offence.

Variations

Easier

Walk through it with no defence until the pattern is automatic.

Harder

Add defenders and play live, or require 5 passes before a shot counts.

Back Cut

Add one rule: if your defender overplays the pass, cut behind them to the rim instead of receiving it.

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill