"Rules of action" for a patterned offense come basically from two types of keying systems-a verbal command or hand signal, or by movement of the ball from a certain position (usually by a guard) to another position or player on the floor.

1-3-1 Offense: In developing rules of action for our own 1-3-1 offense , we based our choice on several factors-simplicity of execution, protection of the ballhandler in getting the offense started, and ease with which a new play may be started in a sequence of 2 or 3 plays.

At Kansas State University, the movement of the ball from the single outside guard is used as the "rule of action." A verbal command or hand signal may be too easily missed by teammates and in a pressure defense situation may be difficult for the guard to give. Also, if a player is late in assuming his set position and has missed the signal, it's difficult for him to know what's being run. On the other hand, movement of the ball as the rule of action allows for simplicity.

NOTE: A secondary position of the ball must be reached as part of the key. Therefore, a player may be late observing the rule of action and still know what's being run.

Keying Movements: The single guard in a 1-3-1 offense should have ample opportunities to move the basketball and begin the offense. Based on these opportunities, we key our offensive plays. The guard is protected so that regardless of how the defense is playing at any time, he has available something to get the offense started. Of course, the defense will also help to dictate not only what can be run but what should be run.

Advantages: Our keying movements for the 1-3-1 offense has three main advantages--(1) One pass from the guard to the high post puts the ball immediately in the 15 ft. scoring range. (2) We find it much harder for the defense to apply pressure on a single guard. (3) This set lends itself easily to a smaller post man's quickness to get open inside and outside or to a medium high post.

Launch Rules of Action