What this version covers
The Stevens clinic-note section is separate from the later Rick Majerus section.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
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offense
Brad Stevens: public offensive principles
Stevens publicly emphasized decisions based on the defense and player development instead of scripting every possession. Published analysis describes quick ball movement, spacing, ball screens near the top, and handoffs. His after-timeout plays also used decoy movements and decisions around screens.
How it runs
Hand off, then find the player a defender leaves
This example uses passing, spacing and handoffs from the sources on Stevens. It is not a confirmed Butler or Celtics play or his full offense. Defenders are not shown. Each step explains what to do if the defense reacts as described. Player spots are examples.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 6
1. Pass to 5, then come alongside
1 passes to 5 near the free-throw line, then moves toward 5. 2 and 3 stay on the other side. 4 stays ready in the near corner.
Diagram key
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
- Source: Buzz words: pace-and-space & read-and-react
- Source: 2008 TABC Clinic Notes
- Source: What makes for great after timeout play in NBA?
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
This is an original teaching reference inspired by public discussion and clinic notes. Neither diagram is claimed as a confirmed Butler or Celtics play, and a coach’s career is not one fixed offense.
In this guide · jump to a topic
Starting jobs and useful space
Select roles by usable skills, not a famous label
Our default uses 1 as the entry passer, 5 as a high receiver and 2, 3 and 4 as separated outside options. Choose players who can protect an entry catch, exchange the ball and see the next pass. A player’s usual position does not by itself tell you who should handle the high catch.
Before calling the action, ask who can rebound from the resulting spacing and who gets back. Using an additional perimeter-skilled player does not remove inside responsibilities. The five attackers need a workable plan for a missed shot as well as the first exchange.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Keep the possession going
A handoff should lead to another decision
Begin with a safe pass to the high receiver. The following player approaches where the holder can protect the ball and complete the exchange without moving into a defender. Afterward, the original holder and outside players provide different passing targets. The handler chooses from the defense actually present, not from the diagram’s successful pass.
Use the denied-handoff example as an alternative start, not a compulsory backcut after every exchange. If the return cannot occur, preserve possession and clear the route. The next outside catch gives the team another chance to attack; it does not require a complete reset to the first frame.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Decisions against the defense
The following route is overplayed
When: A defender prevents the receiver from coming alongside.
Do this: Keep the ball and use the separately taught backcut or another visible outlet.
Then: If the cut is also covered, let it clear before passing outside.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
A different-sized defender takes a receiver
When: A potential mismatch appears after an exchange.
Do this: Ask whether the receiver can catch in useful space and use that matchup safely.
Then: Do not stop the other four players or force a post pass just because two players differ in size.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
What to emphasize
- The 2008 clinic notes describe Stevens using daily 3-on-3 work in which defenders approach receivers under control. The allowed dribbles depend on how far away each defender starts.
Problems, fixes and checks
The instruction is only “read and react”
Problem: Players cannot identify the cue that changes their job.
Try this correction: Specify one visible cue and the response you want to practice.
Check: All players describe that cue in the same way.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
More handlers means nobody works inside
Problem: The offense loses rebounds and has no short passing option.
Try this correction: Assign those jobs for the particular lineup before the repetition.
Check: Review a missed shot, not only successful handoff clips.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Versions and diagram coverage
An original denied-handoff scenario
Changes: read, continuation.
- The linked illustration is CoachAssist’s teaching adaptation, not a documented Stevens play.
When to use it: Use to practice possession security when the initial route is denied.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Principles are not a full playbook
Changes: names only, setup.
- Post touches, screening and shared handling can fit many offenses. No additional exact Stevens formation is claimed here.
When to use it: Name the actual setup and task when teaching, and preserve the distinction between notes, analysis and your own design.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
How to teach it
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Practice it step by step
Make a protected exchange
Set it up: Two attackers and an adult guide, without defenders.
- Pass to a stationary receiver.
- Approach from a clear side and exchange without reaching across a teammate.
Add more when: Both players can stop and protect the ball.
Check it in play
- The receiver knows who has possession after the exchange.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
What can go wrong and how to adjust
- These public examples cover part of Stevens' work at Butler and Boston. Name the season and action to narrow the advice.
Coaches and teams that use it
Brad Stevens · Butler / Boston Celtics
Public clinic notes and reports describe some of Stevens’ teaching and offensive ideas. They do not cover every Butler or Celtics play.
Drills for this scheme · steps and diagrams
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Ball Screen 4-on-4 Spacing
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices high ball-screen reads and perimeter spacing from the documented broad offensive principles. This is not presented as a Stevens-authored drill.
Four-on-four connects a ball-screen pair to two perimeter outlets.
8–12 players · 10–18 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
Four-on-four connects a ball-screen pair to two perimeter outlets.
Set it up
Eight players: top/wing handler, screener, two corner receivers and four defenders, with one ball. Agree which corner receiver moves up toward the wing and which stays available in the corner before starting. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
- Start the possession with the selected ball screen, set legally before use.
- In this version the corner player on the ball’s side moves up toward the wing, while the opposite corner player stays available for a pass; keep the screener’s route to the basket clear.
- The handler reads the available finish, a pass to the screener cutting toward the basket and passes to the perimeter. Receivers remain ready to catch or move to an open window.
- An optional extra-pass phase can isolate ball movement; later remove that constraint and compare the decisions.
- End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.
Scoring
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Coach the details
- The two outlets, not three extra attackers, complete this four-player offense.
- These corner-movement rules describe this drill variant. Do not force a covered corner pass or insist every possession produces a three.
- Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
- Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.
Ways to adapt the drill
- Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
- The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
Drive and Kick — One More Pass
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Supports advantage passing and ready receivers; the catalog’s mandatory extra pass is a constraint, not a rule attributed to every Butler or Celtics offense.
A driver reads the help defender, passes out to the perimeter and practices an optional extra-pass rule.
4–12 players · 6–12 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A driver reads the help defender, passes out to the perimeter and practices an optional extra-pass rule.
Set it up
Four players: driver, two perimeter receivers and one guided helper, one ball. Name one rebounder for the first phase and keep the other routes clear. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
- The driver approaches an open gap under control while the helper shows the agreed response.
- Read the help and pass to the available perimeter receiver; stop or reset rather than entering a blocked lane.
- For the extra-pass phase, that receiver passes to the next open receiver for a balanced shot. Do not force a covered extra pass.
- The designated rebounder collects the ball after everyone has landed; rotate the driving and receiving roles.
- End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.
Scoring
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Coach the details
- Passing need not wait for an arbitrary paint landmark when help has already committed.
- An extra pass is a teaching constraint, not proof that a defender cannot recover.
- Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
Ways to adapt the drill
- Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
- The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
Sources and what we could confirm
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
The main ideas are supported by the sources below. These sources do not cover every possible version.
- Buzz words: pace-and-space & read-and-react
Bill Sy · CelticsBlog · 2014-10-06
Attributed Stevens media-day philosophy plus author film interpretation. Does not authenticate every illustrated action as a Stevens call.
- 2008 TABC Clinic Notes
Uncredited note-taker; Brad Stevens section · The Basketball Playbook · 2008
Two-page notes, not a coach-authored transcript. Exact rotation and scoring of 3-on-3 closeouts are not supplied.
- What makes for great after timeout play in NBA?
David Aldridge · NBA.com · 2017
Public analysis; used only for the narrow observation that Stevens used misdirection and screening reads in ATOs.
- Brad Stevens | Rick Majerus Clinic Notes
Coach Peterman, publisher of clinic notes · Men’s Basketball HoopScoop · 2013-12-22
Published December 22, 2013; Stevens notes identify Spring 2008 IBCA clinic. Majerus section is separate. Not an exact transcript; unsafe contact wording excluded.