What this version covers
A 2024 Loop observation uses successive cutters; it is not the default 2015 sequence.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
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offense
Spurs Loop / Zip family
Popovich's public Loop teaching starts with a player cutting from the corner through the paint to receive a pass from the opposite side, then using a sequence of screens. Related Zip/Loop plays include a cut from the baseline up toward the free-throw line or a route using screens along the baseline.
How it runs
Loop: two covered cuts into two down screens
Follow the public Loop sequence through its next screens. This is one branch, not the Spurs’ 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 9
1. Loop to the top
2 runs beneath the basket and up the lane. 1 keeps the ball.
Diagram key
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
- Source: Run Gregg Popovich's Motion Offense!
- Source: Learning the Spurs playbook: scoring with off-ball screens
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.
The default follows a public 2015 sequence through covered cuts. The 2014 high-screen counter is a separate example. Our practice tasks keep those versions distinct and test what happens when an expected catch is removed.
In this guide · jump to a topic
Starting jobs and useful space
Identify the first receiver and the later cutters
Our default begins with 1 holding on the side and 2 moving underneath to the top. Players 4 and 5 later screen on separate sides, with 3 beginning low outside. Trace only the first receiving route before learning the two simultaneous actions that follow. Similar-looking starting spots do not establish the same later screens.
The top holder must see both sides without assuming both are open. Keep the low players in distinct spaces while the next screens arrive. When one route is denied, identify where that cutter clears before beginning another route through the lane.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Keep the possession going
Covered cuts lead to a choice, not an automatic turnover
Teach the initial catch, then stop at the moment the two returns are covered. Ask the ball holder to explain why keeping possession is the right decision. Walk the cutters’ separate low positions before adding the next down screens. This makes the continuation intelligible rather than simply making a longer animation.
On the final outside catch, the screeners become possible receivers; the new handler must look at help before deciding. Do not require the ball to visit both sides. If the initial cut creates a good shot, there is no reason to continue the covered-option sequence just to reach its last frame.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Decisions against the defense
Neither initial return is available
When: Both defenders remain in the passing windows.
Do this: Retain the ball and let the taught covered-cut continuation develop.
Then: Wait for screeners to establish their next positions; do not throw toward a future spot before a receiver reaches it.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The outside catch happens under pressure
When: The receiver cannot shoot comfortably.
Do this: Face the floor and identify the opening screener or an outside return.
Then: Use the next possession decision from that catch rather than restart the entire Loop by habit.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
What to emphasize
- The public 5-on-0 demonstration emphasizes timing, legal screening, passing and communication.
Problems, fixes and checks
The two low cutters share a route
Problem: One cutter leaves before the other has cleared.
Try this correction: Walk the covered-cut phase with the ball stationary and name separate destinations.
Check: Both players can move without changing course to avoid each other.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The coach calls one version and teaches another
Problem: Players expect a high screen while teammates prepare two down screens.
Try this correction: Label the selected example by its opening and continuation, not Loop alone.
Check: All five can state what follows a covered first catch.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Versions and diagram coverage
A different Loop look ends with a high screen
Changes: entry, continuation.
- The linked counter does not continue from the default’s last frame. Start it independently.
When to use it: Choose it as its own taught call.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Later observations are not fully diagrammed here
Changes: entry, read.
- The 2024 example remains written-only. Different cutter assignments must not be inserted into the 2015 sequence without redesigning the entire possession.
When to use it: Use the historical comparison to ask better role questions, not claim one universal Loop play.
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
Arrive ready for the entry pass
Set it up: Two attackers and an adult passer, without screens.
- Walk the looped receiving route.
- Catch facing the next action and stop under control.
Add more when: The receiver can see the passer while changing direction.
Check it in play
- No blind pass to a moving back.
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
- Loop, Zip and Floppy describe related entries/actions, not an interchangeable universal playbook.
Coaches and teams that use it
Gregg Popovich · San Antonio Spurs
Public examples show these Spurs motion plays. The starting actions and players changed across seasons.
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.
Popovich Loop 5-on-0 Walkthrough
Court diagram · view the drill first
Practices this scheme: Rehearses the reviewed corner loop, reversal and connected screens with five attackers. Walk through legal positioning before adding speed or defenders.
Rehearse the Loop entry: a corner player circles a post player to receive the ball, then teammates respond to off-ball screens.
5–15 players · 5–12 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
Rehearse the Loop entry: a corner player circles a post player to receive the ball, then teammates respond to off-ball screens.
Set it up
A wing ballhandler, two corner players and two post players walk through before adding defense. Name which post leads the action and which follows. 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.
- Corner guard loops around the lead post toward the top and receives the wing pass.
- The following post player screens toward the baseline for the opposite wing; the leading post player screens for the original passer.
- Pass to an open cutter. If no cutter is open, continue the offense the coach has chosen.
- 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
- Teach timing before speed.
- This is one public Loop example.
- Stop and name the next read when the first cutter is denied.
- 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.
- Provenance (source-based): Core teaching idea is supported by the linked public source. Coordinates, timings and rotation logistics are original SportsPlay teaching aids, not reproduced source diagrams. Coach review is required.
Pin Down Four Reads
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Adds isolated off-ball coverage reads needed after the Loop entry; it does not replace the five-player walkthrough.
A screen for a low cutter offers a curved cut, a straight cut, an outward cut or a cut behind the defender, depending on the guided defense.
4–12 players · 8–15 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A screen for a low cutter offers a curved cut, a straight cut, an outward cut or a cut behind the defender, depending on the guided defense.
Set it up
Four players: passer, screener, cutter and guided cutter defender; a coach indicates the coverage. Use one ball and rehearse one cut at a time. 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 defender shows the agreed cue; the screener becomes stationary before the cutter leaves.
- When the defender follows behind, consider curving around the screen; if the route opens, consider the straight cut.
- If the defender leaves space or stands above the cutter to block the route toward the screen, consider moving outward or cutting behind the defender only when that space is clear.
- Pass to an available target for a controlled shot or reset. Rotate all four 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
- These are possible reads, not guaranteed scoring outcomes.
- The diagram’s four paths are alternatives. A sound read still counts as learning when a shot misses.
- 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.
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.
- Run Gregg Popovich's Motion Offense!
Kevin Fitzpatrick, featuring Gregg Popovich · Championship Productions · 2015-10-28
Relevant public drill description visible in indexed search text; direct retrieval returned 403. Paid footage not reviewed.
- Learning the Spurs playbook: scoring with off-ball screens
Jeje Gomez · Pounding The Rock · 2014-03-18
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
- Learning the Spurs playbook: Post-ups and Pick & Rolls
Jeje Gomez · Pounding The Rock · 2014-04-10
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
- Spurs Playbook: Using Wembanyama in “loop” action
Jacob Douglas · Pounding the Rock · 2024-01-21
Public written analysis of selected possessions. Embedded game clips not fully reviewed in this pass; no exact five-player reconstruction claimed.