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…down the court (as quickly as they can): 1 passes to 2 and then leads toward 3; 3 dribbles the ball initially and then passes to 1; 1 catches the pass and immediately passes back to 3 (who kept moving forward); 1 now moves toward 2 to receive a pass…

Pass the Ball Ahead To effectively run the fast break, players must develop a mentality of passing the ball ahead to a player that is open. They must also develop the ability to throw the pass and this can be challenging for young players. Rather than throw the pass…

…torso (even if the defender is moving) it is considered that the defender was in position first.13 13 Article 33.4, FIBA Basketball Rules Changing Direction To change direction, the player performs a reverse pivot (also called a “drop step”) with the foot of the direction that they are moving. The…

There are many situations that will occur during a game where the defence is outnumbered, for example: Defending in “transition” (whether after a turnover, score or a missed shot); After the defence has double teamed a player and the ball has been passed; After a defender has rotated to…

…cone once they leave it. For example, if Player 5 replaced Player 3 before Player 1 got to the cone, Player 1 cannot return to their cone. Nor can Player 5 move back. In this situation, another player must move to create a space for Player 1. There are many…

“Back Cut” The defender may step in the path of the cutter so that they cannot go over the top of the screen. The cutter steps into their defender (as if cutting over the top of the screen) and then changes direction to “back cut” toward the basket….

“Flare Cut” If the defender moves under the screen, in order to beat the cutter to the “other side” of the screen, the cutter should move toward the screen and then move away from the screen, so that the screener is between them and their defender. The screener may…

…moves to the “Diagonal” position 5 moves to the “Same Side” position 3 moves to “Long” If Players 1 and 2 can’t get open, Players 3 and 5 cut toward the ball, and 1 and 2 move to create space. Players 3 and 5 can also move to screen for…

“Curl Cut” If the defender stays below the screen (to stop a “back cut”) the cutter steps toward them and then cuts off the top of the screen. If the defender “locks” to the cutter to run behind them, the cutter curls to cut to the basket. As the…

Again, the defender of the cutter starts low, forcing the cutter to use the screen. The defender then goes on the other side of the screen, moving quickly to intercept the cutter. The defender of the screener has stepped into the screener, so that their team mate will cut…

The defender of the screener steps to the ball, creating a gap between them and the screener, which their team mate can move through. The defender of the cutter starts low, forcing the cutter to use the screen and then goes on the other side of the screen, moving…

In “switch” the two defenders swap responsibility for guarding the offensive players. This is most commonly used where the two offensive players are similar (e.g. a “guard to guard” screen or a “big to big” screen), although particularly late in the shot clock a team may switch all screens. In…

Initially, “Motion Offence”emphasizes the movement of players, with players needing to be able to play in all positions on the court. Moving the ball requires defenders to move significantly, often in a short period of time. As defenders are moving to a new position, this may create opportunities to…

…3 and 1 against x1. If the ball is passed back to 1, x1 must decide whether to guard 1 or remain with 3. 1 must be a scoring option, either a jump shot or driving to the basket. This must be done before x2 can recover. 3×2 – The…

Screener Movement After the cut, the screener should also move. The general principle is “one high, one low”. So that if the cutter makes a straight cut, the screener would roll to the basket. Similarly, if the cutter made a curl cut, the screener would “pop” high….

Important principles for the fast break are: Starting the Break: Outlet Pass; Dribbling Out; Stealing the ball “Running wide lanes”; Passing the ball ahead; Advantage/Disadvantage – 2×1 Advantage/Disadvantage – 3×2 Moving into offence – “Be Quick but Don’t Hurry” Starting the Break There are a number of important aspects to…

Advantage / Disadvantage – 2×1 A key aspect of fast break basketball is looking to create opportunities for the relatively easy score of a lay-up, hopefully without defence! However, fast break basketball can also create an opportunity of out-numbering the defence. They key to scoring in a 2×1 situation is…

“The Split Line” The next defensive team concept that players must be taught is the “split line”, which is an imaginary line that runs down the middle of the court – from basket to basket. This is also called the “help line” and is an important concept when putting…

…a player can catch up and get ahead, they get it back! Play 1×1 back, with whoever took the shot being on defence. “3×0” / “2×1” 3×0 fast break, with shooter playing defence against the other two players on the way back. On initial break, players may go for a…

…down court, so that the player with the ball now plays 1×1, without the prospect of any double teaming. If additional help is required, it is often the centre or forward who will cut back to receive a pass – as their defender may be less able to place pressure…

…guarding the basket. It can be effective though for them to hedge towards the ball, forcing them to think they have committed, and then retreating to the basket to possibly intercept the pass or to defend the lay-up. By x1 and x2 first moving to a “safety” position when the…

It is also important that players stay “within range” when developing jump shooting technique, although many players will immediately want to move out to the three point line! The advantage of a jump shot is that it enables an offensive player both to get additional strength in the shot…

“Moving on the Pass” A common mistake made by defenders of all ages is being slow to move in response to the offensive play, or not moving to the correct position. Every time the ball is passed, all defenders must move, even if only a subtle adjustment of position (e.g….

…and to play from a more open stance. Denial – 1 pass away Adopting a denial stance defenders X3 and X2 are close to their opponents and would have their backs to Player 1. Both defenders would have the arm closest to the ball extended, so that they can knock…

…The perimeter players must move the ball to whoever has the best passing angle. Initially the defender may be relatively passive, but can build to full 1×1 contest. “1×0” Each player has a ball and passes to the coach, moves into the low post and receives a pass from the…