Fresno Dribble-Drive Motion Offense
Introduction & Acknowledgements
Unlike other offensive sets or flex offenses that we run, Fresno is a motion offense. Within set or flex offenses the rules tell you where to go, where to pass, where to shoot, etc. Fresno rules tell you where to start, but from there they govern how to move instead of where to move, and how to react to your teammates’ decisions. You could run Fresno several times in a row with it looking different every time but always staying within the rules of the offense.
The Fresno Offense submits that an offense can beat a good defense by making it hard for teams to prepare to face you because you’re not relying on a scheme, but on executing basketball fundamentals. Fresno is still a system, but the most important factors are floor spacing and execution of basic fundamentals (dribbling, passing, and shooting) rather than rigid sets, impeccable timing, and waiting for your opponent to make a mistake. This is effective even against a good defense because this well-spaced offense forces the defense to rotate, move, and scramble. Even the best defense is a step behind the ball if the offense has players who can pass, shoot, and move the ball quickly.
Learning this offense will be different from learning any other kind of set offense. In almost any other offense, you would be told “First, do this. Then do that. Next, cut here and screen him.” This offense doesn’t have a “First, Next, Then” arrangement. Instead, it is built on “If, Then, Otherwise”. IF the defense is doing this THEN we will do that, OTHERWISE we will do this other. Do not let the number of options become overwhelming. Once you learn the rules, all the options will make sense. It is having all these available options, after all, that will break down the defense.
The offense is primarily used to attack man-to-man defenses. There is a section dedicated to making adjustments in order for the offense to fit as a zone offense.
This system was introduced to me by Scott Kiburis who learned it from Vance Walberg at Fresno City College (thus the name “Fresno”). Walberg was the original mastermind behind the offense, and showed it to John Calipari who was at Memphis at that time. Calipari is responsible for popularizing the offense. By the 2007-2008 basketball season, at least 224 junior high, high school, college, and professional teams were using some form of a dribble-drive motion offense.
Key Concepts
Attack Mentality
The desired shots in the Fresno system are 3-pointers and layups. The reason for this is based on statistical probabilities and mathematics. We have a goal to average above 1.00 point per possession (ppp). By being selective about which shots we take and by attacking the defense (and drawing fouls) we can maximize our points per possession.
Spacing & Gaps
We want to keep the defense spread out as much as possible, and having great spacing principles allows us to do that.
1 and 5 start at the top of the offense, slightly wider than the lane and at least a step above the 3-point line.
The 2 starts even with the front of the rim, a step outside the 3-point line on the right side of the basket.
The 3 starts a step or two above the front of the rim on the left side of the basket, a step outside the 3-point line.
The 4 starts slightly above the block opposite the ball.
We prefer to start offense on the right, but can easily start left-side if necessary.
We want to use our movement to create gaps in the defense that will allow for penetration.