Early Offense

Molecules

Table of Contents

1. Elements 2

2. Reactions 7

3. Primary Transition 11

4. Pitch 15

5. Flip 21

6. Push 33

7. Swing 40

8. Hit 50
Elements
 Early Offense Molecules
Elements
Elements Elements

Consider this section your Periodic Table of 2

Elements. These basic elements comprise all
the molecules in this Early Offense Package.
FLIP
Like in nature, all the molecules are
combinations of elements. Changing the order
and combinations of the elements creates a
new molecule.
1
Each element is give a one syllable name for
quick communication and a common
language.

Elements o f t h e Early Offense Package H a n d o f f s - "Filp"

A DHO o r early flip t o the ballside wing. Prefer a fluid
exchange o n alike flips and a early flip into a pseudo ball
screen o n unlike flips

Elements Elements

PITCH GUT 1

5 1 5

H a n d o f f s - "Pitch" H a n d o f f s - "Gut"
A DHO o r toss t o the trailer A handoff t o a player coming "u p the g u t"
 Early Offense Molecules
Elements
Elements Elements

DOWN

1 1
TAKE
5 5

H a n d o f f s - "Take" O f f - B a l l Screens - "D o w n"

A handoff o n the perimeter usually delivered f r o m a b i g t o a Simple down screen f o r the corner man
guard by the guard "taking" the ball f r o m the player with
the ball. Put the ball o n a platter f o r the cutter.

Elements Elements

2 2

FLARE

BACK
1 1
5 5

O f f - B a l l Screens - "Flare" O f f - B a l l Screens - "Back"

Simple flare screen Back Screen u p the g u t
 Early Offense Molecules
Elements
Elements Elements

2
Wing
Wing
GET
1 1
5 5
GET
5
1 1
5 Middle

D r i b b l e Entry - "Push" Ball Screen - "Get"

Dribbling the ball toward corner t o o r below FTLE pushes Term f o r a ball screen. Can either be i n middle o r wing/side
the corner player through t o opposite corner o r u p the gut.

Elements Elements

3 2 2

GO
4 1
1 SWING
5
5

D r i b b l e Penetrate - "Go" Pass Reversal - "Swing"

Middle o f the floor is left open f o r the option t o attack the Swinging the ball through the trailer
rim
 Early Offense Molecules
Elements
Elements Elements

2
HIT

CUT

1
1
5 5

Wing Entry - "H i t" Basket C u t - "C u t"

An advance pass t o the wing A basket cut t o the r i m and outside the three point line
Reactions
 Early Offense Molecules
Reactions
Reactions Reactions

REACTIONS REACTIONS

Reactions are reads after the Twist

offense has employed an
element or molecule of elements. Slip

They are reads or reactions to Reject

counter how the defense
chooses to defend an element. Turn

Reactions Reactions

5 x1
x1 5
1
1

Twist Twist
5 seeks t o screen the lower half o f X1 (screen the back pocket), b u t X1 5 "twists" into a rescreen. Improve the angle t o induce X1 into going over
slides under the screen. 1 accepts the screen b u t has n o advantage. the screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Reactions
Reactions Reactions

1 1
5

x5
x5

Slip Slip
5 moves into position t o ball screen f o r 1 X5 gets t o o high, 5 slips t o basket

Look t o slip side and high ball screen whenever screener's defender gets o u t
o f position (too high t o o soon)

*Note: a quick slip can also be used versus a switch

Reactions Reactions

2 empty corner 2 empty corner

x5
x1 ICE
1 ICE
x1 1
x5
5 5
5 5
x1

x1 1
1

Reject Reject
Can I get t o the block? On left - attack the outside shoulder o f the b i g vs. ICE. Favored into the
double gap
On left - Reject the screen into the gap space, favored o n the single side
On right - vs. ICE attack the "Big" especially with empty corner
On right - reject i f you can get t o the block o n the side/wing ball screen;
favored with an empty corner
 Early Offense Molecules
Reactions
Reactions Reactions

2
x2

5
1 5 1
x2

Turn Turn
Off-ball screen when cutter catches with n o advantage... Player 5 immediately "turns" into the ball screen
Primary Transition
 Early Offense Molecules
Primary T r a n s i t i o n
Five Out - Five Lane Break Five Out - Five Lane Break
5

DEAD ZONE
4

1 3
2

RAIL MAIN RAIL

STREET

ALLEY ALLEY

Pitch Ahead

"HIT"

Primary Break T e r m i n o l o g y Outlet o u t o f the dead zone

Look ahead, i f someone has an advantage pitch ahead - HIT.

(find the player with an advantage)

Five Out - Five Lane Break Five Out - Five Lane Break
5 5

4 4

1 3 1 3
2 2

"GO"

"PUSH"

Keep Middle Open

Keep the middle open and look t o attack (use the advantage), Ballside dribble PUSH: t o o r below FTLE, corner player pushes
collapse the defense - GO. through t o weak side
 Early Offense Molecules
Primary T r a n s i t i o n
Five Out - Five Lane Break Five Out - Five Lane Break
5 5

4 4

1 3 1 3
2 2

SWING
"GET"

Ball side dribble entry, need t o create an advantage. Create Ball side dribble entry, with SWING t o the trailer
an advantage with the ball screen - GET.

Five Out - Five Lane Break Five Out - Five Lane Break
2 1

1 2
3 3
"GET" "GET"

4 4 5
5

Endpoints o f Primary Break - Push Endpoints o f Primary Break - Pitch ahead

1 dribble pushes 2 t o opposite corner "HIT" - 1 has passed ahead t o 2 and cut through t o opposite
(set u p f o r a side/wing ball screen f r o m 5 o n 1 "GET") corner

(set u p f o r a wing/side ball screen f r o m 5 o n 2 "GET")

 Early Offense Molecules
Primary T r a n s i t i o n
Five Out - Five Lane Break Five Out - Five Lane Break
3 2 3 2

"GET"

4 1 4 1

5 5 "SWING"

End Points o f Primary Break - D r i b b l e Entry End Points o f Primary Break - D r i b b l e Entry
(set u p f o r spread ball screen f r o m 5 o n 1 - "GET")
With "SWING" t o trailer
Pitch
 Early Offense Molecules
Pitch
Pitch Go Pitch Go

3 2
DOUBLE GAP

3 2
4

1
5
4
1
5
Five lane break with wings getting t o dead corners 1 crosses over and attacks the nail, PITCHE t o 5 looping
behind, then splits the defense t o opposite corner
The ball coming u p the alley
5 attacks the double gap t o score (GO) while anticipating
Big i n Main Street and 4 i n opposite alley f r o m the ball help
 Early Offense Molecules
Pitch
Pitch Hit Go Pitch Hit Go

3 2 1 2

3
4 1
5
5 4

1 crosses over and attacks the nail and PITCHES t o trailer 5 looks at 2 prompting blast cut f r o m the corner t o wing
(5)
5 passes t o 2 ("HIT")

Pitch Hit Go

3 2

4 5

2 uses the small advantage presented by the blast cut t o GO

middle o r r i p and GO baseline o n the catch
 Early Offense Molecules
Pitch
Pitch Hit Get Pitch Hit Get

3 2

3 2
4

5
4 1
1
5
Five lane break with wings getting t o dead corners 1 crosses over and attacks the nail.

The ball coming u p the alley 1 PITCHES t o 5 cutting behind then splits the defense t o the
corner
Big i n Main Street and 4 i n opposite alley f r o m the ball

Pitch Hit Get Pitch Hit Get

1 2 1

2
3 3 5

Double Gap
5
4 4

Upon being looked at 2 blast t o the wing 2 is matched o n the catch

5 passes ("HIT") t o 2 at the wing...
5 follows into the wing ball screen ("GET")
 Early Offense Molecules
Pitch
Pitch Hit Get Pitch Hit Get

1 1

2
2
3 5 3
5 x5

4 4

REJECT reaction SLIP reaction

Reject the wing ball screen and get t o the r i m Slip the screen t o the r i m

Pitch Hit Get Pitch Hit Get

1 1

x2 2
3 5 3 5
x2
2
4 4

TWIST reaction TWIST Reaction

X2 goes under the ball screen neutralizing the advantage... 5 TWISTS into a rescreen improving the angle inducing X2
into going over the ball screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Pitch
Pitch Flip Go Pitch Flip Go

3 2 1 2

3
4
5
1 4
5

1 crosses over and attacks the nail and PITCHES t o 5 cutting 5 delivers the FLIP (DHO) t o 2 sprinting o u t o f the corner. 2
behind the drive has advantage and attacks the paint

Pitch Flip Go Pitch Flip Go

1 x2 2 1

5
x2
3 3
2
5
4 4

T w i s t Reaction T w i s t Reaction
5 delivers the handoff and X2 goes under the FLIP and 5 then TWISTS into a ball screen
neutralizes the advantage...
Flip
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Get Flip Get

3 2

3 2
4 1
5

4 1
4
Five lane break with wings getting t o dead corners 1 DHOs ("FLIP") with 2 then gets t o deep corner

The ball coming u p the alley

Big i n Main Street and 4 i n opposite alley f r o m the ball

Flip Get Flip Get

3 1 3 1
Back Action

x2

4 2 4 2
Double Gap

5 5

5 sets the ball screen ("GET") f o r 2 coming o u t o f the TWIST Reaction

handoff then rolls t o basket X2 goes under the ball screen neutralizing the advantage...

1 runs "back action" when/if his/her defender tags the roll

 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Get

3 1

4 x2
5

T w i s t Reaction
5 twists improves the angle by TWISTING into a ball screen
o n X2
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Pitch Go Flip Pitch Go

3 2

3 2
4 1
5
4
1
5
Five lane break with wings getting t o dead corners 1 delivers the FLIP (DHO) t o 2 then gets t o deep corner

The ball coming u p the alley

Big i n Main Street and 4 i n opposite alley f r o m the ball

Flip Pitch Go

3 1

2
4
5

2 makes nail drive and PITCHES t o 5

5 attacks the double gap t o score anticipating help

3 & 4 fill t o ball

 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Pitch Hit Flip Pitch Hit

3 2

3 2
4 1

5
4
1
5
Five lane break with wings getting t o dead corners 1 delivers the FLIP (DHO) t o 2 then gets t o deep corner

The ball coming u p the alley

Big i n Main Street and 4 i n opposite alley f r o m the ball

Flip Pitch Hit Flip Pitch Hit

3 1 2 1

3
4 2

5 4 5

2 drives and PITCHES (or DHOs) t o 5 , 2 splits the defense t o the Upon being dribbled at by 5 , 1 blast cuts t o the single gap f o r
opposite corner the wing entry ("HIT")

3 & 4 fill towards the ball

 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Pitch Hit Flip Pitch Hit

2 SPACE
2 Roll

1 1
3 3
5
double gap

4 5 4

Catch & GO - Read the blast cut and USE the small advantage Catch & GET - i f the receiver is matched o n the catch, follow
o n the catch t o attack baseline/middle into a wing ball screen (GET)

5 follows into the wing ball screen

1 has double gap t o attack o r 5 rolling o r spacing

Flip Pitch Hit Flip Pitch Hit

2 2

x1
3 1 3 1
5 5
x5

4 4

SLIP Reaction REJECT Reaction

Slip the screen versus the hedge o r switch Reject the screen i f you can get t o the r i m
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Pitch Hit Flip Pitch Hit

2 2

3 x1 3
1 5
5 x1
1
4 4

TWIST reaction TWIST Reaction

5 follow into ball screen and X1 goes under the screen 5 TWISTS into a rescreen improving the angle and inducing X1
neutralizes the advantage... into going over the screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Swing Down Flip Swing Down

2 3 1
3

2
4
4
1 5
5

Flip Swing Down Flip Swing Down

3 1 3 1

2 2
4 4 DOUBLE GAP

5 5

Pass t o back cut o r tight curl Flip t o the long straight cut
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Swing Down Flip Swing Down

3 x1 1 3 2

4 2 4 5
x1
5 1

TWIST Reaction TWIST Reaction

X1 goes under the DOWN Screen and the FLIP neutralizing 5 TWIST into a ball screen improving the angle and inducing
the advantage... x 1 into going over the screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Swing Flare Flip Swing Flare

2 3 1

3
2
4

4 1 5
5

Flip Swing Flare Flip Swing Flare

3 2 3 2

x1
4 1 4 1

5 5

5 passes t o the screener (HIT)... Has the option o f a ball screen (GET)
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Swing Flare Flip Swing Flare

3 2 3 2

x1
4 1 4 5
x1
5 1

TWIST Reaction TWIST Reaction

I f 5 uses a GET and X1 goes under the ball screen 5 TWISTS into a rescreen improving the angle and inducing
neutralizing the advantage... X1 into going over the ball screen

Flip Swing Flare Flip Swing Flare

3 2 3 2

x1
4 1 4 1

5 5

5 may also elect t o FLIP t o the screener TWIST Reaction

I f 5 uses a FLIP and X1 goes under the DHO neutralizing the
advantage...
 Early Offense Molecules
Flip
Flip Swing Flare Flip Swing Flare

3 2 3 2

5 4 1
4 x1

1 5

TWIST Reaction 5 may also elect t o platter the ball and allow the screener
5 TWISTS into a ball screen improving the angle and (1) t o TAKE the ball.
inducing X1 into going over the ball screen

Flip Swing Flare Flip Swing Flare

3 2 3 2

x1
4 1 4
x1 5
5
1

TWIST REACTION TWIST Reaction

5 may also elect t o platter the ball and allow the screener 5 TWISTS into a rescreen improving the angle and inducing
(1) t o TAKE the ball. X1 into going over the ball screen

I f X1 goes under the TAKE neutralizing the advantage...

Push
 Early Offense Molecules
Push
Push Get Push Get

3 2

2
3
4
5 1
4 1
5

2 & 3 deflate the defense by getting t o dead corners 1 signals t o 2 t o PUSH through t o other side, 3 and 4 fill t o
ball. 4 cannot g o near midline!
4 is i n alley opposite the ball stops at high wing (TOC extended)
5 sprints into the wing ball screen
1 brings the ball u p the alley
NOTE: 1 m u s t g e t t h e b a l l b e l o w FTLE!

Push Get Push Get

POP REJECT
2 ROLL 2

1 1
3 3
5 5

4 4

With an empty corner, 5 may roll o r p o p REJECT Reaction

1 may reject the screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Push
Push Get Push Get

2 2

SLIP 1 x1 1
3 5 x5 3
HEDGE
5

4 4

SLIP REACTION TWIST Reaction

5 may SLIP t o hoop versus hedge 5 sets ball screen (GET) o n 1 and X1 goes under the screen
neutralizing the advantage...

Push Get

5
3 x1
1
4

TWIST Reaction
5 TWISTS into a rescreen inducing X1 into going over the ball
screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Push
Push Back Swing Push Back Swing

3 2 3
5

1
4 4 2

5
1

1 dribble pushes 2 ("PUSH") I f 5 is n o t open, reverse t o 2 second cutting t o the t o p then

2 sets back screen f o r 5 ("BACK") get t o deep corner ("SWING")

First option: pass t o 5 coming o f f back screen 2 has option t o catch and shoot/drive

Push Back Swing Push Back Swing

3 1 3 1
5
5

4 4
x2 x2
2 2

I f 2 has n o advantage... Now into Spread Ball Screen alignment

5 sprints into the flat o r late angle ball screen ("GET")
2 has a "two-way g o" and may drive either way - "g o
opposite the show"
 Early Offense Molecules
Push
Push Down Swing Push Down Swing

3 2 3 2
x2 x2

4 4
1 1
5 5

1 PUSHES ball at o r below FTLE 2 may straight cut the down screen and get the catch at t o p
2 pushes through b u t comes u p the g u t receiving DOWN
screen. I f X2 trails, 2 may curl the screen

Push Down Swing Push Down Swing

3 3 1

5
1

4 x2 4 5
x2
2 2

TURN Reaction TURN Reaction

5 recognizes that 2 has caught with n o advantage and 5 must establish the proper screening angle, whether flat o r
TURNS into the ball screen angled.

Use TWIST reaction i f x 2 goes under the screen.

 Early Offense Molecules
Push
Push Swing Gut Take Push Swing Gut Take

DEAD CORNER DEAD CORNER

3 2

2
3
HIGH WING 4
1
4 1 5
5

2 & 3 deflate the defense by getting t o dead corners 1 dribbles at 2 PUSHING h i m / h e r through

4 is i n alley opposite the ball stops at high wing (TOC extended) 1 should get just below FTLE

1 brings the ball u p the alley

Push Swing Gut Take Push Swing Gut Take

2 2
3 3 x2 1

4 4

5 5

2 "hides o u t" under backboard 2 sprints "u p the GUT" t o TAKE the handoff f r o m 5

1 centers t o 5 (SWING) I f X2 trails 2 takes handoff and curls into the attack

use the small advantage and maintain i t with Find Use Create principles
 Early Offense Molecules
Push
Push Swing Gut Take Push Swing Gut Take

2
3 x2 1 3 1
x1
BACK
ACTION

4 4
x2
5
5 2

TWIST

2 sprints u p the g u t and takes handoff f r o m 5 , b u t X2 cheats o n the handoff... After handing t o 2 , 5 t u r n s and sets ball screen f o r 2

Spread ball screen alignment with 1 o n back action i f their man tags

2 drives t o score. 5 rolls t o the rim.

On any pass t o player with an advantage maintain the advantage f o r the remainder o f
the possession using Find Use Create Principles
Swing
 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Cut Go Swing Cut Go

3 2 1 2

3 double gap

4 1

5 4 5

1 SWINGS t o 5 5 drives o f f the b u t t o f 1's cut into the gap

1 CUTS through t o opposite corner creating double gap f o r
5 Drive t o score b u t anticipate help f r o m X2 o r X1. See chest
think pass
 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Cut Hit Swing Cut Hit

3 2 1 2

3
4 1

5 4 5

1 SWINGS t o 5 and CUTS t o opposite corner 5 shortens pass by dribbling at 2

2 blast cuts f r o m the corner f o r the pass t o the wing ("HIT")

Swing Cut Hit Swing Cut Hit

1 1

2 2
3 3

5 5
4 4

Catch & GO - read the blast cut and use the small Catch & GET - I f the wing is matched o n the catch, follow
advantage o n the catch right into a middle o r r i p and g o into a wing ball screen (GET).
baseline drive
 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Cut Hit Swing Cut Hit

1 1

x2 2
2 3 5
3
5
4 4

REJECT Reaction TWIST Reaction

2 may REJECT the ball screen and drive t o the r i m X2 goes under the screen neutralizing the advantage...

Swing Cut Hit

3 5
x2
2
4

TWIST Reaction
5 TWISTS into the rescreen improving the angle t o induce
X2 into going over the ball screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Cut Flip Swing Cut Flip

3 2 1 2

3
4 1
5 4 5

1 reverses t o 5 (SWING) and cuts through t o opposite corner 5 delivers the FLIP t o 2 blasting o u t o f the corner

2 uses the advantage t o attack the paint

Swing Cut Flip Swing Cut Flip

1 x2 2 1

3 3 5
x2
2
5
4 4

TWIST Reaction TWIST Reaction

5 delivers the FLIP t o 2 , X2 goes under the FLIP neutralizing 5 TWISTS into a ball screen f o r 2 improving the angle t o
the advantage... induce x 2 into going over the ball screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Take Swing Take

3 2 3 2

4 1 4 x1 1
5
5

1 enters the offense by SWINGING t o 5 1 immediately sprints into the TAKE using the burst as a means
t o create an advantage. 5 gets wide base and puts the ball o n a
platter f o r 1 t o TAKE.

If X1 trails 5 rolls and 1 uses the small advantage t o penetrate

the defense

Swing Take Swing Take

3 2 3 2

4 x1 1 4
x1 5
5
1

TWIST Reaction TWIST Reaction

1 TAKES the ball f r o m 5 , X1 goes under the TAKE neutralizing 5 TWISTS into a ball screen f o r 1 improving the angle t o induce
the advantage... X1 into going over the ball screen.

5 rolls i f X1 goes over

 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Down Flip Swing Down Flip

3 2 3 2

DOWN

4 4
SWING
5 1
1
5

Transition into Five-Out DOWN screens f o r 2

1 SWINGS t o 5 then...

Swing Down Flip Swing Down Flip

3 1 3 1

FLIP 2 FLIP 2
4 5 4 5

5 delivers the FLIP (dho) t o 2 coming o f f the DOWN screen I f the FLIP creates a small advantage use the small
advantage t o score o r transfer the advantage when/if help
comes
 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Down Flip Swing Down Flip

3 1 3 1

GOES UNDER
x2
2 TWIST
4 4 x2 5
5
2
"TWIST" REACTION "TWIST" REACTION

Should X2 g o under the FLIP and n o advantage is present, The TWIST results i n a Spread Ball Screen alignment
TWIST the FLIP into a GET (ball screen).
 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Flare Take Swing Flare Take

3 2 3 2

4 1 4 1
5 5

1 reverses t o 5 (SWING) 2 FLARE screens f o r 1

Swing Flare Take Swing Flare Take

3 1 3 1

x22 x2
2
4 5 4 5

After setting the FLARE screen, 2 sprints into the TAKE f r o m TWIST reaction
5 . Player 5 must get a wide base and p u t the ball o n a I f X2 goes under the TAKE neutralizing the advantage...
platter f o r 2 t o TAKE i t .

X2 trails and 2 uses the advantage t o penetrate the defense

 Early Offense Molecules
Swing
Swing Flare Take

3 1

4 5
x2
2

TWIST Reaction
5 TWISTS into the ball screen f o r 2 improving the angle t o
induce X2 into going over the screen
Hit
 Early Offense Molecules
Hit
Hit Cut Get Hit Cut Get

3 1

2 2
3
4
4 5
5

1
A HIT usually occurs o n a long pitch ahead t o the ball side wing The trailer (5 as shown) sprints into the wing ball screen f o r 2
i n transition before the ball side wing gets t o the deep corner. (GET).

1 HITS 2 with the pitch ahead and CUTS through t o the

opposite corner

Hit Cut Get Hit Cut Get

1 1

x2 2
3 5
3 2
5

4 4

REJECT Reaction TWIST Reaction

2 rejects the ball screen t o get the r i m X2 goes under the ball screen neutralizing the advantage...
 Early Offense Molecules
Hit
Hit Cut Get

5
3
x2
2

TWIST Reaction
5 TWISTS into a rescreen f o r 2 improving the angle t o induce x 2
into going over the screen
 Early Offense Molecules
Hit
Hit Take Hit Take

3 2
2

4
4
5 1
1
5
1 HITS 2 with the advance pass t o the wing... 1 sprints into the TAKE f r o m 2
 Early Offense Molecules
Hit
Hit Swing Gut Hit Swing Gut

3 1

3
2 2
4

4 5
1
5
1 HITS 2 with the advance pass i n transition the runs a fake 2 SWINGS t o the trailer (5 as shown)
TAKE o f f o f 2

Hit Swing Gut Hit Swing Gut

3 1 3 1
x1 x1

2 2
4 4
5 5

1 sprints u p the GUT t o take the handoff f r o m 5 TWIST Reaction

Should x 1 cheat the handoff u p the g u t and neutralize the
I f x 1 trails use the small advantage t o penetrate the defense advantage...

5 rolls
 Early Offense Molecules
Hit
Hit Swing Gut

3 2

4
5 x1
1

TWIST Reaction
5 TWISTS into the ball screen improving the angle o f the
ball screen t o induce X1 into going over the ball screen

5 rolls