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← Library of Schemes

offense

Spurs Motion Weak

In the documented Weak play, the ball handler passes ahead and cuts toward the opposite wing. Passing the ball back across the court can lead to a cut from the baseline up toward the free-throw line, using a screen from a teammate arriving behind the play.

How it runs

Pass ahead and move the ball back to the opposite wing

One Weak example ends with 3 cutting up from the baseline. These player numbers and routes show this example; the Spurs changed them across seasons. 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.

1. Pass ahead and cut acrossHalf court diagram, frame 1 of 5: 1. Pass ahead and cut across. 5 players, showing pass, cut.12345

Diagram 1 of 5

1. Pass ahead and cut across

1 passes ahead to 2 and cuts across to the opposite wing. 3 waits in that side’s corner; 5 follows above the play.

Diagram key

  • Offense
  • Defense
  • Coach
  • Neutral
  • Ball
  • Cone
  • Cut
  • Dribble
  • Pass
  • Screen
  • Hand-off
  • Shot
  • Def. slide

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.

Our selected Weak example ends in an outside catch; another drawing continues through the elbow. These are historical action choices, not a claim that every Spurs season used identical routes.

In this guide · jump to a topic

Starting jobs and useful space

The first passer changes sides

In our start, 1 passes ahead to 2 and moves across. Player 5 provides the high connection; 3 begins low opposite and prepares the later upward cut. Player 4 stays inside away from the initial passing route. Have every player point to the future outside passer before rehearsing the cutter.

The baseline movement and the high reversal happen in different spaces. Do not let the low cutter rush upward into a screen that is still arriving. The high player must finish the pass and establish the screen before the cutter uses it.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Keep the possession going

Complete the reversal before chasing the next shot

Practice the first passer’s change of side with the ball moving through the high receiver. Then add the baseline-to-upward route. This separates a passing-timing problem from a screening problem and helps players see why the final passer is available.

After the outside catch, the initial movement has done its job even if no shot appears. The linked elbow handoff is one possible continuation. Retain an outside outlet while preparing it; a low cutter still clearing the lane is a reason to wait, not a reason to squeeze the exchange into traffic.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Decisions against the defense

The upward receiver cannot catch

When: The defender stays between the receiver and the outside passer.

Do this: Keep the ball and identify another visible target. Do not aim behind a receiver who cannot turn toward the pass.

Then: Reorganize the next action from the actual catch location rather than assuming the upward pass occurred.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

The elbow continuation is unavailable

When: The relay receiver is guarded or the following route is crowded.

Do this: Use a safe return before initiating the handoff.

Then: The would-be receiver clears and remains passable; no exchange is compulsory.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Basketball glossary

Open full glossary page

What to emphasize

  • CoachAssist practice idea: time the cut with the pass to the opposite side. Then add a defender who tries to block that pass.

Problems, fixes and checks

The cutter leaves before the reversal

Problem: The passing window closes while the ball is elsewhere.

Try this correction: Walk the ball route first and cue the cut from its actual arrival.

Check: Ask the cutter which player is ready to deliver the pass.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

The handoff adds a second inside player

Problem: A teammate waits in the receiver’s driving route.

Try this correction: Name the player who must move outside before the exchange.

Check: The handler has a distinct inside pass and outside release after turning.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Versions and diagram coverage

Elbow handoff after the outside catch

Changes: continuation, read.

  • The linked route keeps the Weak entry, then adds an elbow exchange. It is not Strong’s stagger.

When to use it: Teach the relay catch and the inside clearance before playing it live.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Compare jobs across historical diagrams

Changes: names only.

  • Different player numbers do not change the entry. A different first pass or screening arrangement does.

When to use it: Use role descriptions when comparing clips or another coach’s diagram.

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

Pass and recognize the opposite side

Set it up: Three attackers across two wings and a high connection.

  1. Pass ahead, move across and return through the high player.
  2. Change the initial handler every repetition.

Add more when: All three can identify the next receiver.

Check it in play
  • No hurried pass to a player still looking away.

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
  • Do not infer every route from the word 'Weak'; ask for the version.
Coaches and teams that use it
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.

Pin Down Four Reads
Court diagram · view the drill first

Basketball glossary

Open full glossary page

Builds a skill used in this scheme: Prepares a receiver moving up from the baseline around a screen, often called a zipper cut, to respond to the defender. It does not include Weak’s pass ahead, cut across the court and pass back to the opposite side.

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

  1. 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.
  2. The defender shows the agreed cue; the screener becomes stationary before the cutter leaves.
  3. When the defender follows behind, consider curving around the screen; if the route opens, consider the straight cut.
  4. 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.
  5. Pass to an available target for a controlled shot or reset. Rotate all four roles.
  6. 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.
Give-and-Go Pass and Cut
Court diagram · view the drill first
Watch & learn (1)

Clips may use a different version. Check each match note; links open in a new tab.

  • Give and go: passing and cutting

    By Jr. NBA Jr. WNBA · Coach: Jeremiah Boswell

    A related demonstration of passing and cutting to receive a return pass. Use your drill’s own starting spots, defender progression and waiting-player rotation.

    The player loads only after you choose play.

    Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)If playback is unavailable or embedding is disabled, use the source link.
    Source: Jr. NBA: Give and Go Drill (opens in a new tab)

    Link reviewed 2026-09-08

Basketball glossary

Open full glossary page

Builds a skill used in this scheme: Builds pass-and-cut timing before a Weak entry. This give-and-go drill is not a verified Spurs Weak pattern.

A pass and a purposeful basket cut create a possible return-pass window.

4–16 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs

Purpose

A pass and a purposeful basket cut create a possible return-pass window.

Set it up

Four offensive players rotate through top and wing lines with one active ball. 1 starts at the top, 2 at the wing, and 3 and 4 wait in those lines. The pictured guided-defense progression adds X1 as a fifth player; with four players, omit X1. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

  1. 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.
  2. Pass to the wing and use a controlled setup step before cutting toward the basket.
  3. The wing faces the cutter and reads whether a return pass is available.
  4. If open, lead a balanced catch and finish. If covered, keep the ball and let the cutter clear.
  5. After the rep, recover the ball and return it to the next top player. The cutter joins the back of the wing line and the wing joins the back of the top line; the next players step up only after the court is clear.
  6. For the guided-defense progression, X1 resets between reps. At the end of the set, X1 exchanges roles with the next top player before restarting.
  7. 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

  • A cut in front of the defender is the initial example, not permission to run through a defender.
  • A denied route can be declined; use a backdoor variation only after the coach declares that read.
  • 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.

Spurs Motion Weak · Library of Schemes · CoachAssist