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The Offensive Debate - 10 Reasons to Run Set Plays
By Coach Randy Brown

There is a long standing debate among coaches on the topic of offensive efficiency. Some coaches believe set plays are the best way to score baskets. Others contend that motion offense gives your team the best chance to win. Both sides fiercely defend their stance on the best way to score. In this on going challenge neither side will surrender.

My intention is not to take sides or determine the winner of this debate. Rather, I will lay out the advantages of both approaches to aid the coach in determining which style fits best. There is not perfect way to play basketball as history can attest. Winners in high school, college and the NBA have represented an array of different styles and philosophies. Picking the right approach for you and your program is the prime consideration.

Basketball purists tend to favor either sets plays or motion offense. Due to long held beliefs about either style, change is a hard thing to swallow. Coaches defend their basketball programs and beliefs as if life itself hung in the balance. Many coaches take bits and pieces of various offensive systems and morph them into their own style. Approximately 80% of coaches fall into this mixture between set plays and motion.

Let's examine the advantages of set plays and let you make the decision:

SET PLAY OFFENSE--ADVANTAGES

1. Coach has a large degree of control over which players take the shot. Set plays are purposefully designed for specific players to receive the ball in specific spots on the floor. Usually, that player is the one taking the shot also.

2. Execution is high due to the predetermined nature of set plays. Players know exactly where to start, what to do during the play, and how to finish the play.

3. During late games or special situations, set plays can be very good.

4. Coach can determine who handles the ball during plays to reduce turnovers.

5. Set plays take advantage of players strengths and hide player weaknesses.

6. Set plays can be called from the bench by coaching staff.

7. Set plays can focus on a 2-point basket, a three-point basket, or a need to penetrate.

8. Each set play can have multiple options. One play becomes six plays by reading the defense and taking.

9. Makes for a difficult game prep for the opponent because each set must be defended.

10. Set plays can be altered each year based on player strengths and skills.