Purpose: To teach five players to execute the fast break while being pressured on the rebound, at midcourt, and by their basket. Good drill to use to begin incorporating defense against your transition offense. Drill: The five offensive players set up on one end of the court as shown. One defensive player sets up near the basket, one stands near half court, and one starts near the opposite basket. The drill begins with the coach taking a shot. The 5 players (and 1 defender) go after the … [Read more...]
1-4 Low Pick and Roll with Backscreen
This 1-4 set puts four players down low to run a pick and roll with an added backscreen for creating a great scoring opportunity. To run this play out of a 1-4 low alignment, O1 dribbles the ball to the side wing area. Either side works just fine so if the play is called, all players should know what to do from any position. This play can create several open shot opportunities depending upon how the defense plays it. As O1 reaches the free throw line extended, O5 comes up and sets an on-ball … [Read more...]
Middle Double Screen Play
This 1-4 Quick Hitter utilizes several screens to get an open scoring opportunity. O1 begins the play by dribbling to the right. O2 will cut down to the low block area, setting a screen for O3 coming all the way through. (If the pick is set towards the middle of the lane, O3 may be open on the low block before cutting all the way to the three-point line). After setting the screen, O2 cuts to the top of the key, using the double screen set by O4 and O5. Once O2 has cut to the top, O5 screens … [Read more...]
Two-Man Layup Drill
Purpose: To work on 'finishing' a fast break or slow break situation. Players will work on passing and catching in a simulated break environment. Drill: Begin with players in the three lines, as shown; the basketball is in line O1. A coach or manager (C) stands near the elbow area. O2 starts by cutting hard to the area around the free throw line extended. O1 passes to O2, who executes a jump stop upon the catch. O3 will start his run and cut at the same time as O2 and will run his … [Read more...]
Dribble Entry to 2-Man Game
Starting from a box set formation, this play begins with a dribble entry to the wing. The initial look is in to the low post but if that is unavailable there are several other options available throughout this quick hitter. O1 dribbles to the wing area as O5 and O3 set a double screen in the lane for O2. After setting the screen, O3 cuts diagonally up and across the lane as O4 slides down to the weakside low block. O5 posts up on the strongside low post after setting the screen. O1 is on the … [Read more...]
Quick Break Transition Offense
The Quick Break Transition Offense is an early offense you can use following your opponents missed shot or turnover. It's a transition from defense to offense that, while not being a full-blown fast break, it allows you to push the tempo and score quickly with an easy, early shot. The first diagram here shows the transition following a missed shot and rebound. The point guard (O1) moves to the outlet area to receive a pass from the rebounder (O5). O2 moves to the middle area of the court as a … [Read more...]
Backscreen to Double Box Set Play
Following a quick attempt at a give and go to score, this quick hitter from out of a box set incorporates a backscreen and double screen to get a great shot opportunity. O1 passes to O3 on the right wing and cuts hard to the right block looking for a possible return pass for a layup. If nothing, O3 reverses the basketball with a pass to O4, who is flashing to the top of the key. On the reversal pass from O3 to O4, O1 sets a backscreen for O3. O4 and O5 then set a doublescreen for O1. This is … [Read more...]
Reaction 3-Man Weave to 2-on-1 Drill
Purpose: To work on transition offense, transition defense, conditioning, and reacting quickly to a situation that occurs on the court. Drill: The players will set up in three lines outside the baseline. The first three players (O1, O2, O3) move onto the court and begin executing a 3-man weave going down the court. The players will continue until the coach blows his whistle or yells the command 'change'. Upon hearing the whistle, whoever has the basketball will immediately drop it and sprint … [Read more...]
3-on-2 to 2-on-1 Drill
Purpose: To work on the transition game where the offensive is at a man advantage. The emphasis of this drill is dependent upon your fast break strategies and whether you choose to focus on the offense or defense. Drill: Form three lines on the baseline as shown. Two players, X1 and X2 line up on either side of the halfcourt line. The first three players in line begin by tossing the ball off the backboard, making the outlet pass and breaking down the court. On the toss, the two defenders will … [Read more...]
Start Your Fast Break Drill
Purpose: To teach the players to fill the lanes properly on a fast break in a scramble situation. Drill: The coach, standing on the perimeter, will throw the basketball to one of the five players in the lane area. The player who catches the ball cannot dribble -- the fast break must be initiated by a pass. The other players must fill the lanes as required by your fast break offensive philosophy (generally, guards fill the outside lanes and bigs act as trailers and then going down … [Read more...]