Dominate with the Rule of Three Motion Offense For Youth Players
A 3X State Champion's Winning System

The Rule of Three Motion Offense is a revolutionary system designed to transform youth basketball teams in grades 3 through 8. This innovative offense was created by Steve Collins, a Hall of Fame coach with an extraordinary track record of success. Coach Collins’ accomplishments speak volumes about the effectiveness of his coaching philosophy:
- 3 State Championships and 4 State Runner-Up finishes
- 14 Consecutive Conference Championships (2004-2017)
- 23 Consecutive Varsity Winning Seasons
- Nationally Ranked since 2004
- 2-Time State Coach of the Year and USA State Coach of the Year
- State record for 9 Consecutive State Appearances (2004-2012)
With over three decades of coaching experience, Coach Collins has distilled complex basketball concepts into simple, easy-to-understand rules that young players can quickly grasp and execute. The Rule of Three Motion Offense is a versatile motion offense that can be configured as either a 5-out or 4-out, 1-in system, adapting to your team’s strengths and the defensive challenges you face.
This offense focuses on fundamental principles and player decision-making, helping young athletes develop their basketball IQ while creating exciting scoring opportunities. Forget about memorizing complicated plays or spending hours drilling set pieces. With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your players will learn to read defenses, make smart decisions, and play together as a cohesive unit.
The beauty of this offense lies in its scalability. You can start with basic concepts and gradually add complexity as your team improves. Whether you’re coaching third-graders just learning the game or preparing eighth-graders for high school competition, the Rule of Three Motion Offense will transform your team’s performance and make you a more effective coach.
Coach Collins’ proven success and dedication to youth basketball ensure that this system will bring out the best in your players and elevate your coaching game. By implementing the Rule of Three Motion Offense, you’re not just teaching a basketball system – you’re instilling a winning mentality and preparing your players for success at higher levels of competition.
Don’t let another season pass with an outdated, ineffective offense. Upgrade to the Rule of Three Motion Offense and watch your team thrive under a system designed by one of the most successful coaches in youth basketball history!
The rule of 3 offense is an excellent resource for coaches at all levels. I have learned more from this offense more than any other I’ve used. Outstanding! Coach
Coach M.
1.) Easy to Learn, Quick to Implement
he Rule of Three Motion Offense uses simple, intuitive rules that players can grasp quickly, allowing you to install the offense in just a few practices.
The Rule of Three Motion Offense is designed for rapid learning and implementation, making it ideal for youth teams with limited practice time. Its straightforward principles allow players to start executing the offense effectively within just a few sessions.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your players will quickly learn to:
- Understand and maintain proper spacing in the 5-out or 4-out, 1-in formations
- Make decisive cuts based on defensive positioning
- Set and use screens to create scoring opportunities
- Read and react to defensive movements without hesitation
As players become more comfortable, they’ll develop advanced skills such as:
- Recognizing and exploiting mismatches on the perimeter or in the post
- Timing their cuts and screens for maximum effectiveness
- Using fakes and misdirection to create space for themselves and teammates
- Seamlessly transitioning between the three levels (Green, Blue, Red) of offensive complexity
The Rule of Three’s structured approach allows you to introduce concepts gradually, ensuring that players build a strong foundation before moving on to more advanced techniques. This systematic method of teaching not only accelerates learning but also boosts player confidence and reduces on-court hesitation.


5 Out Alignment
4 Out, 1 In Alignment
2) Elevate On-Court Decision Making
The Rule of Three Motion Offense is a powerful tool for enhancing players’ understanding of the game, fostering critical thinking skills, and improving overall court awareness.
By emphasizing read-and-react principles, the Rule of Three Motion Offense accelerates the development of your players’ basketball intelligence. This system teaches young athletes to think on their feet and make smart decisions in real-time game situations.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, players will learn to:
- Recognize defensive alignments and adjust their positioning accordingly
- Anticipate teammates’ movements and create synergistic offensive actions
- Identify open passing lanes and scoring opportunities quickly
- Understand the concept of spacing and its impact on offensive flow
As players become more proficient, they’ll develop advanced cognitive skills such as:
- Predicting defensive rotations and exploiting gaps in coverage
- Recognizing mismatches and creating advantageous situations
- Making split-second decisions based on multiple defensive reactions
- Understanding the strategic implications of each offensive action
The Rule of Three’s progressive complexity (Green, Blue, Red levels) allows coaches to gradually introduce more sophisticated concepts, ensuring that players continually challenge and expand their basketball IQ. This incremental approach not only enhances on-court performance but also prepares players for the mental demands of higher-level basketball.
By focusing on decision-making and awareness, the Rule of Three Motion Offense transforms players from robotic executors of set plays into intelligent, adaptable athletes capable of reading and controlling the flow of the game.
3) An Offense That Evolves With Your Team
The Rule of Three Offense’s unique three-tier structure (Green, Blue, and Red) allows you to tailor the system to your team’s current abilities and progressively increase complexity as players develop.
This innovative approach ensures that the offense grows with your team, providing continuous challenges and learning opportunities throughout the season and across multiple years of player development.
With the Rule of Three’s scalable system, you can:
- Start with basic principles that even the youngest players can grasp
- Gradually introduce more sophisticated concepts as your team masters the fundamentals
- Customize the offense to match your team’s strengths and hide weaknesses
- Keep practices engaging by introducing new elements when players are ready
The three levels of complexity allow for:
- Green Level: Focus on essential movements and basic read-and-react principles
- Blue Level: Introduce more nuanced cutting options and off-ball actions
- Red Level: Implement advanced concepts like multiple screening actions and complex weak-side movements
This scalable approach offers several key advantages:
- Prevents overwhelming young players with too much information too soon
- Allows coaches to challenge more advanced players within the same offensive framework
- Provides a clear roadmap for skill progression and team development
- Enables seamless adaptation to varying skill levels across different age groups or seasons
By using the Rule of Three’s scalable complexity, you’ll ensure that your offense remains challenging and effective, regardless of your team’s age or experience level. This adaptability not only enhances player development but also gives coaches a versatile tool that can evolve with their coaching career.
Sneak Peak at Rule of Three Offense:
4.) Improves Fundamental Skills
The Rule of Three Motion Offense is designed to develop and reinforce essential basketball skills, creating well-rounded players who excel in all aspects of the game.
By emphasizing cutting, passing, screening, and spatial awareness, this offense naturally improves players’ fundamental abilities through repetition and practical application in game-like scenarios.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, players will enhance their:
- Cutting skills: Learning to read defenders and make decisive moves to get open
- Passing accuracy: Practicing a variety of passes in dynamic situations
- Screening technique: Understanding how to set effective screens and use them to create advantages
- Ball handling: Improving dribbling skills within the context of the offense’s movements
As players progress, they’ll develop more advanced skills such as:
- Off-ball movement: Mastering the art of creating space without the ball
- Court vision: Improving the ability to see and anticipate plays before they develop
- Timing: Perfecting the synchronization of cuts, screens, and passes
- Finishing: Enhancing scoring abilities from various spots on the court
The Rule of Three’s emphasis on fundamentals provides several key benefits:
- Creates a strong foundation for future skill development
- Improves players’ overall basketball IQ and adaptability
- Enhances team play by focusing on interdependent skills
- Prepares players for success at higher levels of competition
By running the Rule of Three Motion Offense, you’re not just teaching a system – you’re developing complete basketball players. The focus on fundamentals ensures that your players will have the essential skills needed to succeed in any offensive system they encounter in the future, making them valuable assets to their high school and potentially college teams.


Passer Rules:
- Level 1: Cut to the basketball
- Level 2: Pick away on the nearest man
- Level 3: Read Cutter & slip or pop out
Cutter Rules:
- Level 1: Curl to the basket
- Level 2: Low/Slice cut to the basket
- Level 3: High cut to the ball
5.) Effective Against Multiple Defenses
The Rule of Three Motion Offense is a versatile system designed to create scoring opportunities against any defensive strategy, giving your team a consistent advantage on the court.
This adaptable offense allows your players to react intelligently to various defensive setups, ensuring that your team maintains its offensive flow regardless of the opposition’s tactics.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your team will learn to:
- Exploit gaps in man-to-man defense through smart cutting and screening
- Attack zone defenses by maintaining proper spacing and finding seams
- Counter pressure defenses with quick passing and backdoor cuts
- Adjust to switching defenses by creating and exploiting mismatches
As your team becomes more advanced, they’ll master:
- Recognizing and attacking different defensive alignments in real-time
- Using specific actions to force defensive rotations and create openings
- Adapting offensive spacing to stretch or compress different types of zones
- Implementing quick-hitter options against specific defensive looks
The Rule of Three’s effectiveness against multiple defenses offers several key advantages:
- Eliminates the need for multiple offensive sets for different defensive looks
- Builds player confidence by providing tools to score against any defense
- Reduces preparation time when facing teams with varying defensive strategies
- Allows for in-game adjustments without changing the entire offensive structure
This multi-faceted approach ensures that your team is always prepared, regardless of the defensive challenges they face. Whether it’s a tough man-to-man, a tricky zone, or a pressing defense, the Rule of Three Motion Offense gives your players the knowledge and skills to adapt and succeed.
By mastering an offense that works against any defense, you’ll give your team a significant competitive edge and the ability to maintain composure in the face of diverse defensive strategies. This versatility not only leads to more wins but also prepares your players for the varied defensive schemes they’ll encounter at higher levels of play.
Score More, Stress Less: Rule of Three
6) Fast Break to Full Offense
The Rule of Three Motion Offense seamlessly flows from fast breaks, maximizing scoring opportunities in transition and keeping defenses constantly off-balance.
This system naturally bridges the gap between fast-break situations and half-court offense, eliminating the traditional “set-up” time that often allows defenses to recover and organize. With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your team maintains offensive pressure from the moment they gain possession.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your team will develop:
- The ability to flow directly from fast breaks into organized offense without pausing
- A mindset of constant offensive threat, even after the initial fast break is stopped
- Improved court awareness and spacing in transition situations
- The skills to create scoring opportunities before the defense can set up
As your team masters transition integration, you’ll see advanced offensive elements emerge:
- Immediate entry into offensive patterns as players fill the five key positions on the court
- Exploitation of mismatches created during the transition chaos
- Increased early offense scoring opportunities, particularly from the corners
- Seamless switching between primary and secondary fast break options
The emphasis on seamless transition in the Rule of Three Motion Offense provides several key benefits:
- Reduces the opponent’s ability to set up their preferred defensive strategy
- Creates a more dynamic and unpredictable offensive approach
- Develops players’ ability to think and act quickly in fluid game situations
- Prepares players for higher levels of play where transition offense is crucial
By fostering strong transition integration, the Rule of Three Motion Offense does more than just improve fast-break efficiency – it creates a team that’s always in “attack mode.” Players learn to:
- Immediately cut to the basket after making the first pass across half-court
- Fill all five offensive spots quickly, creating instant scoring threats
- Read and exploit defensive confusion during the transition phase
- Maintain spacing and offensive principles even in high-speed situations
This emphasis on seamless transition not only leads to more scoring opportunities but also helps develop important skills that will benefit your players throughout their basketball careers. The Rule of Three Motion Offense doesn’t just create better fast breaks; it develops players who can think and act quickly, adapt to changing court situations, and maintain offensive pressure throughout the entire game.

You can easily transition into the offense from a fast break. When 1 passes ahead to a wing, he can then cut and pick away to immediately get into the offense.
7) Enhances Team Cohesion
The Rule of Three Motion Offense is designed to create a harmonious, interconnected team that operates as a single unit on the court, fostering unselfish play and constant communication.
This system naturally encourages players to work together, think collectively, and support each other’s success, leading to a more cohesive and effective team dynamic.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your team will develop:
- A shared understanding of spacing and movement principles
- The ability to anticipate and react to teammates’ actions
- A culture of creating opportunities for others through smart play
- Strong on-court communication habits essential for offensive success
As your team’s cohesion improves, you’ll see advanced teamwork elements emerge:
- Seamless rotations and fill-ins when a teammate cuts or screens
- Instinctive recognition of mismatches and how to exploit them as a unit
- Non-verbal communication through subtle cues and movements
- Collective problem-solving against different defensive strategies
The emphasis on team cohesion in the Rule of Three Motion Offense provides several key benefits:
- Reduces selfish play and “hero ball” tendencies
- Creates a more enjoyable playing experience, improving team morale
- Develops leadership skills as players learn to guide and support each other
- Prepares players for higher levels of play where teamwork is crucial
By fostering strong team cohesion, the Rule of Three Motion Offense does more than just improve on-court performance – it creates a positive team culture that extends beyond basketball. Players learn the value of working together, supporting their teammates, and contributing to a collective goal.
This emphasis on teamwork not only leads to better results during games but also helps develop important life skills that will benefit your players long after they leave your team. The Rule of Three Motion Offense doesn’t just build better basketball players; it helps create more cooperative, communicative, and supportive individuals.
8) Boosts Confidence
The Rule of Three Motion Offense empowers players to make intelligent decisions on the court, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-assurance that elevates their overall game.
This system naturally encourages players to read and react to defensive situations, making split-second choices that directly impact the team’s success. As players become more comfortable with these decision-making processes, their confidence grows exponentially.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your players will develop:
- The ability to read defenders and make smart offensive moves
- Confidence in their decision-making skills under pressure
- A deeper understanding of basketball strategy and court awareness
- The skills to create scoring opportunities for themselves and teammates
As your team’s confidence improves, you’ll see advanced player development emerge:
- Players taking initiative in crucial moments of the game
- Increased willingness to attempt high-percentage shots
- Improved ability to adapt to different defensive strategies
- Enhanced on-court communication and leadership
The emphasis on player confidence in the Rule of Three Motion Offense provides several key benefits:
- Reduces hesitation and indecision during offensive plays
- Creates a more assertive and proactive team on the court
- Develops mental toughness and resilience in challenging game situations
- Prepares players for higher levels of play where quick decision-making is crucial
By fostering strong player confidence, the Rule of Three Motion Offense does more than just improve individual performance – it creates a team of self-assured athletes who trust their instincts and abilities. Players learn to:
- Make quick, effective decisions at the “mesh point” of plays
- Vary their cuts based on defensive reactions, keeping opponents off-balance
- Understand and execute different options as passers, cutters, and weak-side players
- Adapt their play style to exploit defensive weaknesses
This emphasis on building confidence through decision-making not only leads to better results during games but also helps develop important life skills that will benefit your players long after they leave the court. The Rule of Three Motion Offense doesn’t just build better basketball players; it helps create more confident, adaptable, and decisive individuals ready to face challenges both on and off the court.

Players learn to make reads at the “Mesh Point”
9) Adaptable to Player Strengths
The Rule of Three Motion Offense is a versatile system that can be customized to showcase your team’s unique talents, whether you have sharpshooters, dominant post players, or lightning-quick guards.
This offense is designed with flexibility at its core, allowing coaches to emphasize different aspects of the system to best utilize their players’ abilities. By adapting the offense to your team’s strengths, you’ll maximize efficiency and keep defenses guessing.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, you can tailor your approach to:
- Highlight perimeter shooters with specific cutting and screening actions
- Showcase post players through strategic positioning and entry passes
- Utilize quick guards with dribble-drive options and penetrate-and-kick plays
- Leverage versatile players in multiple roles within the offense
As you adapt the offense to your team’s strengths, you’ll see advanced strategic elements emerge:
- Custom play actions that create mismatches for your best scorers
- Specialized weak-side movements that complement your primary offensive threats
- Varied pacing options to control game tempo based on your personnel
- Creative screening combinations that free up your most potent offensive weapons
The adaptability of the Rule of Three Motion Offense provides several key benefits:
- Maximizes the effectiveness of your roster, regardless of its composition
- Allows for in-game adjustments to counter defensive strategies
- Develops players’ versatility by exposing them to multiple offensive roles
- Prepares teams to evolve as players improve and develop new skills
By leveraging this adaptability, the Rule of Three Motion Offense does more than just run plays – it creates a dynamic system that grows with your team. Coaches can:
- Implement a 4-out-1-in variation for teams with a dominant post player
- Emphasize dribble-drive actions for teams with quick, penetrating guards
- Focus on perimeter movement and screening for teams with exceptional shooters
- Incorporate post-up options for guards or forwards with strong interior games
This emphasis on adaptability not only leads to more effective offensive execution but also helps develop well-rounded players who understand multiple facets of the game. The Rule of Three Motion Offense doesn’t just adapt to your current team – it provides a framework for player development and team evolution over time.
As demonstrated in Coach Steve Collins’ examples, the offense can incorporate various elements like:
- Post-up opportunities for skilled interior players
- Drive-and-kick actions for teams with good perimeter shooting
- Backdoor cuts against aggressive defenses
- Pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop plays for versatile big men
By mastering the adaptable nature of the Rule of Three Motion Offense, you’ll be able to create a unique offensive identity that maximizes your team’s potential and keeps opponents constantly guessing. Whether you’re coaching a team of sharpshooters or a squad dominated by post players, the Rule of Three Motion Offense provides the flexibility to play to your strengths and attack defensive weaknesses.
10) Prepares Players for Higher Levels
The Rule of Three Motion Offense instills fundamental concepts and decision-making skills that align seamlessly with advanced offenses used in high school, college, and beyond, giving your players a significant competitive edge as they progress in their basketball careers.
This system goes beyond teaching set plays, focusing instead on developing basketball IQ and instinctive court awareness that will serve players well at any level of competition. By mastering the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your athletes will be primed for success in more sophisticated offensive systems.
With the Rule of Three Motion Offense, players develop skills crucial for higher-level play:
- Reading and reacting to defensive positioning in real-time
- Understanding spacing principles that apply to all modern offenses
- Making quick, intelligent decisions with and without the ball
- Recognizing and exploiting mismatches on the court
As players internalize these concepts, you’ll see advanced basketball intelligence emerge:
- Intuitive understanding of offensive flow and rhythm
- Ability to anticipate teammates’ movements and defensive reactions
- Improved court vision and passing skills
- Enhanced offensive creativity within a structured system
The focus on higher-level concepts in the Rule of Three Motion Offense provides several key benefits:
- Smooths the transition to more complex offenses in high school and college
- Develops adaptable players who can thrive in various offensive systems
- Instills a deep understanding of basketball strategy beyond memorized plays
- Prepares players mentally for the increased speed and complexity of higher-level play
By emphasizing these advanced concepts, the Rule of Three Motion Offense does more than just win games at the youth level – it lays a foundation for long-term basketball success.
Players learn to:
- Make decisions at the “mesh point” similar to those required in collegiate motion offenses
- Understand the importance of off-ball movement, a crucial aspect of high-level basketball
- Recognize and create scoring opportunities through intelligent cutting and screening
- Adapt their play style based on defensive strategies, a key skill at higher levels
This focus on preparation for advanced play not only enhances players’ current performance but also gives them a significant advantage as they move up to more competitive levels. The Rule of Three Motion Offense doesn’t just teach plays; it develops basketball players who think the game at a higher level.
By mastering the Rule of Three Motion Offense, your players will develop a basketball IQ that sets them apart from their peers. They’ll enter high school and college programs with a deep understanding of offensive principles, spacing, and decision-making that typically takes years to develop. This advanced preparation gives them a competitive edge, allowing them to quickly adapt to and excel in more complex systems, potentially opening doors to playing opportunities at higher levels.

Develop a “positionless” style of play that maximizes each player’s strengths
- 5-out spacing system with options for 4-out, 1-in
- Customizable for different team strengths
- Detailed rules for passing, cutting, and screening
- Player decision-making guides
- Works Against Man Or Zone - You Have ONE Offense To Learn!
- Effective against man-to-man and zone defenses
- Easy-to-follow drills for skill development
- Video tutorials for visual learning
- Comprehensive playbook and instructional materials
Includes Step-by-Step Instructions








- Simple Installation: The Rule of Three's basic concepts can be taught in just a few practices, getting your team game-ready quickly.
- Minimal Memorization: Players learn principles, not plays, reducing the cognitive load and allowing them to play freely and confidently.
- Builds on Existing Skills: The offense utilizes fundamental basketball movements, making it accessible for players of all skill levels.
- Gradual Complexity: Start with the basics and add advanced concepts at your own pace, ensuring your team is always challenged but never overwhelmed.
The Rule of Three Motion Offense begins with a 5-out setup, ensuring all players start outside the three-point line. This positioning keeps the lane open for driving opportunities and forces defenders to cover the entire court. As the offense unfolds, players make decisions based on defensive reactions, creating a dynamic and unpredictable system.
At its core, the Rule of Three Motion Offense emphasizes reading the defense and reacting accordingly. For example, a player who passes the ball has three primary options: cut to the basket, set a pick for a teammate, or read the cutter and decide whether to slip to the basket or pop out for a shot. These options are structured into three levels of complexity (Green, Blue, and Red), allowing coaches to tailor the offense to their team’s readiness.
The beauty of the Rule of 3 offense lies in its adaptability to different skill levels and team dynamics. I wholeheartedly recommend the Rule of 3 offense to any coach looking to enhance their team's offensive prowess and overall game understanding.
Coach James

The offense also provides solutions for common scenarios. Against pressure defense, the immediate cutting action after passes creates opportunities for back-door layups. For teams with strong post players, there are options to flash to the post or duck in after setting screens. The weak-side movement keeps all defenders occupied, preventing easy help defense and opening up driving lanes.

Rule Of Three Motion Offense System

Whether you’re coaching third-graders or preparing eighth-graders for high school, the Rule of Three Motion Offense is designed to make your team more competitive and successful on the court.
- Comprehensive Playbook: Detailed instructions and diagrams for every aspect of the offense
- Video Tutorials: Step-by-step visual guides to help you and your players understand the offense
- Practice Drills: Specific drills designed to reinforce the key components of the Rule of Three Offense
- Coaching Tips: Insights and advice from experienced coaches who have successfully implemented the offense
- Defensive Counters: Strategies to overcome common defensive tactics used against the Rule of Three
- Access to Online Community: Join a network of coaches to share experiences and gain additional support
- Regular Updates: Stay current with the latest strategies and modifications to the offense
- Lifetime access
- Email Support: Direct access to our coaching experts for personalized advice and answers to your questions

Coach Steve
3 State Championships and 4 State Runner-Up finishes
14 Consecutive Conference Championships (2004-2017)
23 Consecutive Varsity Winning Seasons
Nationally Ranked since 2004
2-Time State Coach of the Year and USA State Coach of the Year
State record for 9 Consecutive State Appearances (2004-2012)
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