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…second foot returns to a balanced stance. It is important that the step is to an angle, keeping the defender’s torso pointing at the offensive player. A common mistake that players make is that their first step goes behind them, which turns them sideways to the offensive player. Once the…

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…

…important during practice to give as many opportunities to practice passing as possible and the coach should always consider having players act as the “passer” in an activity rather than the coach. One of the most common examples of a straight lead that moves away from the passer is a…

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…

…the head, hand or feet position and only one person at each position. Any cut must go into the “heart” (the key) but then come out to one of those positions. Initially have only the players closest to the ball leading. Players can use varying leading techniques. Here 4 uses…

“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…

“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…

…get the ball to 2. “If the Driving Lane is not defended – Drive” If the defender does not commit to guarding the dribbler, the dribbler should attack the basket. The role of the defender is to make the dribbler believe that the defender has committed to one action but…

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…

“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…

Advantage / Disadvantage – 3×2 Another common advantage / disadvantage situation in fast break basketball is 3 offensive players against 2 defensive players. The goal of the offence is to get one of the defenders to commit to guarding the ball, and then passing the ball to a 2×1 situation….

…is open. “Wake Forest” This activity requires at least 10 players, divided into two teams. It is a fast paced, competitive activity that has a number of “advantage / disadvantage” situations and it also places an emphasis on the importance of free throws. The activity may be done with all…

…movement by players to ensure that players do not simply “stand around”. Retreat when the 2nd Defender Commits A retreat dribble can be very effective to releasing pressure. Keeping the dribble alive, the dribbler wants to attract a trapping defender, once that defender starts to commit, a retreat dribble can…

…shown in the diagrams below, if the last defender simply runs toward the person that has the ball, this will allow a simple pass over their head to an opponent to score a lay-up. Accordingly, a player should not commit to guarding the player with the ball, until someone is…

Play with the ball Once the low post player has the ball, there are two options: If there is a free path to the basket, it moves fast and throws; If there is no free path to the basket, put “chin on shoulder” and take the time to LOOK….

“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….

Stance – Denial or Open Players need to be instructed in the two types of stance that may be utilized in defence. A “denial” stance is where the defender’s back is to the ball and they are very actively stopping a pass being made to their opponent. A “floating”…

…post tries to establish position, and the perimeter players pass the ball (or dribble on the perimeter) to identify a passing lane, and then pass into post. This can then be played to score/defensive possession. For added complexity, add one and then two perimeter defenders. “Post Decisions” This activity is…

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…