Motion offenceBeginner

Gap

Posts in the dunker spots. 1 drives the gap and reads the help.

Best for: Drive the gap and read the help. Teaches every player to space and finish around the rim.

Needs: any team can run it. Gets you: a layup, a three.

Run it yourself Study every step

Against: man‑to‑man, 2‑3 zone
Formation: 3-out 2-in
Steps: 6 steps vs man‑to‑man, 6 vs 2‑3 zone · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Point guard (top)
2Left wing
3Right wing
4Left post (dunker spot)
5Right post (dunker spot)

Run it yourself

Pick a spot and make the reads.

The court plays out each step when you choose right. Switch spots to learn every job in Gap.

You are 1, Point guard (top)

Your spot

Defence

Step 1 · Drive the gap

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Gap". 5 and 4 are in the dunker spots. 1 has the ball up top.

What do you do?

Pick the read you would make. The play runs when you get it right.

Study every step

The whole play, laid out.

What the defence shows at each step, how everyone moves, and the right read for all five spots.

cut pass screen dribble shotNumbers show the order.

Step 1

Drive the gap

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Gap". 4 and 5 are in the dunker spots. 1 has the ball up top.

1Attack the gap to your right.The posts are low, so the lane is open. Drive it and read the help.
2Lift to the left slot.The drive is going away from you. Lift so x2 has a long way to help.
3Drift to the right corner.The drive is coming your way. Drift so x3 can't help and still guard you.
4Stay in the left dunker spot, hands ready.Stay low and wide. Step in only if x4 leaves or the shot goes up.
5Stay in the right dunker spot, hands ready.Watch x5. If they step up to 1, step in behind them.

Then the defence shows one of 5 looks: Read: no help (29%), Read: x5 steps up (29%), Read: x4 rotates across (14%), Read: x3 helps from the corner (14%), Read: x2 helps from the slot (14%).

Step 2

Read: no help

1 of 5 looks after Drive the gap · 29%

1 is in the paint. Nobody leaves their player to stop them.

1Finish at the rim.Nobody helped. Take the layup.
2Get back as the safety.You are highest on the floor. Someone has to be back.
3Crash from the corner for the rebound.You are close to the rim. Go get a miss.
4Step in and seal x4 as the shot goes up.Now you step in. Get inside position for the rebound.
5Step in and seal x5 as the shot goes up.Now you step in. Get inside position for the rebound.

Layup for 1, with 4 and 5 stepping in for the rebound.

Step 2

Read: x5 steps up

1 of 5 looks after Drive the gap · 29%

1 is in the paint. x5 leaves the dunker spot to stop them.

1Dump it off to 5.x5 left them. 5 is open right behind.
2Stay in the left slot as the safety.Hold your spot. Someone has to be back.
3Stay in the right corner.Keep x3 from rotating to 5.
4Stay in the left dunker spot, ready to rebound.x4 is still with you. Be ready for a miss.
5Step in behind x5 with your hands up.Your defender left. Give 1 a target for the dump-off.

Layup for 5 off the dump-off.

Step 2

Read: x4 rotates across

1 of 5 looks after Drive the gap · 14%

1 is in the paint. x4 leaves the far dunker spot to stop them.

1Dump it off to 4.x4 left them. 4 is open on the far side.
2Stay in the left slot as the safety.Hold your spot. Someone has to be back.
3Stay in the right corner.Keep x3 out of the lane.
4Step in from the dunker spot with your hands up.Your defender left. Give 1 a target.
5Stay in the right dunker spot, ready to rebound.x5 is still with you. Be ready for a miss.

Layup for 4 off the dump-off.

Step 2

Read: x3 helps from the corner

1 of 5 looks after Drive the gap · 14%

1 is in the paint. x3 leaves the corner to stop them.

1Kick it out to 3 in the corner.x3 left them. 3 is open.
2Stay in the left slot as the safety.Hold your spot.
3Stay in the corner and show your hands.Your defender left. Be ready to shoot.
4Stay in the left dunker spot, then crash on the shot.Be ready for the long rebound.
5Stay in the right dunker spot, then seal on the shot.Be ready if 3 misses.