1. Teaching the…
“Read and React” Offensive System
(Torbett, Rick 2008)

2. It is a basketball offensive system
developed by Rick Torbett of “Better
Basketball Incorporated”
“It is a way to get quality movement
on offense without having to learn
set plays”(Torbett, 2008)

3.  As the Varsity Head coach it is my
responsibility to make sure all the players in
my program are developing and improving as
to raise the success of the varsity team year
after year.
 In order for this to happen a common system
had to be implemented so the younger
players in elementary school and sub-varsity
teams are exposed to the same fundamentals
and terminology that is used at the varsity
level.

4.  Rick Torbett’s “Read and React” system
provides this unified approach by players and
coaches alike.
 This offensive system also allows us to
“adjust different formations ( 5 out, 4 out 1
in, 3 out 2 in) based on each teams strengths
and weaknesses throughout our program”.
(Torbett, 2008)

5. 1 player with the ball always has
the freedom to pass, shoot, or
dribble anytime they see fit.(Torbett, 2008)
The other 4 players “react”
specifically to what the ball
handler chooses to do.(Torbett, 2008)

6. The offensive system is divided into
separate layers (About 20 total for the
whole system) (Torbett, 2008)
“Each layer focuses on 1 type of ball-
handlers option with the ball (ie. Pass
or Dribble) and the other non ball-
handlers reactions to that option.” (Torbett,
2008)
Each layer is learned through repeated
practice drills to form habits in
reaction to the ball movement.(Torbett, 2008)

7. Every player without the ball
watches the ball-handler (Torbett, 2008)
Every player, at any position on the
floor, has just 1 reaction to a
movement by the ball-handler. (Torbett,
2008)
Repetitions of reaction drills in
practice create habits that become
natural movements while playing
games. (don’t think-react) (Torbett, 2008)

8. Layer 1- dribble penetration
with circle movement(Torbett, 2008)
Layer 3- Pass, cut, defense
overplays(Torbett, 2008)
Layer 4- Post Reactions to
dribble penetration(Torbett, 2008)

9.  The Farwell Basketball program feels that
these 3 layers are the basic fundamental
reactions and movements to create quality
movement on offense.
 These layers can be run at all levels (4th
grade up to Varsity teams)
 These 3 layers are key to set the foundation
to successfully teach and learn the other
layers. (Torbett, 2008)

10.  When a player on the perimeter drives
“Right” past their defender. The other
players move, with equal spacing, to the
“Right”. (Torbett, 2008)
 When a player on the perimeter drives “Left”
past their defender. The other players move,
with equal spacing, to the “Left”. (Torbett, 2008)

11.  Ball-handlers passing options if lay-up or shot is
not available after the dribble drive.
 Pitch- a pass out to a player on the wing
 Dish- a pass to the player cutting baseline
 Safety Valve- a pass to the player filling behind the
ball handler.
(Torbett, 2008)

12.  When the ball-handler can’t dribble
penetrate they naturally pass to a teammate
 After a pass is made the passer makes a
basket cut and all players rotate to fill open
spots on the floor from the baseline up to
the top.
(Torbett, 2008)

13.  When a defender guarding a player without
the ball denies a pass from them; that
offensive player automatically makes a
basket cut
 All other players fill empty spots created
from the cut from the baseline up to the top
(Torbett, 2008)

14.  When a player is “posted up” in the lane and a
perimeter player drives to the hoop the post
must slide to an open spot.
 When the ball-handler drives the lane above the
post player the post player slides to the short
corner on the baseline
 When the ball-handler drives below the post
player along the baseline the post player slides
up to the high post.
(Torbett, 2008)

15.  University of Iowa’s Women's Basketball (dark
uniforms) running the Read and React system

16.  Farwell Boys Varsity (purple uniforms) running the offense
at team came during the summer of 2010

17.  Torbett, Rick. “Read And React Offense”. DVD. Better Basketball
Inc. 2008
 Farwellbasketball. “Farwell vs. CCC Summer Basketball Video”
(June, 2010). Retrieved October 28th, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyoml0vWrpk
 Read and React Tribe. “University of Iowa Women’s Basketball
Video” . (March 9th 2010). Retrieved October 28th, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RcB218kE-o