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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…

…stationary, players should be encouraged to develop the ability to throw a chest pass, whilst on the run. Coaches should not stop activities to berate players for missing a pass, instead coaches should accept that as the mentality and skills of fast break basketball are developed, there will be mistakes…

…target with your hands for where you want the ball to be passed – have your hands ready to catch the ball. Straight Cut Players will usually be taught to pass and catch while standing still because this allows them to focus on those particular skills, however, basketball is a…

…may be undefended. If the outnumbered defenders can put doubt into the mind of the offensive player about what they are going to do (and who they will defend) that can be sufficient to win the contest. To put doubt in the mind of the offensive players, an outnumbered defender…

Before teaching the intricacies of an offensive system, players must be taught how to work together, including: Basic Floor Spacing; Ball Reversal Pass & Cut Pass, Cut & Replace Basic Motion Offence Introducing Post Players Basic Screening Principles Motion Offence with Screens Basic Fast Break Principles Press Offence Young players…

“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 defender…

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 dribble….

…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….

…alternate hands when there are no nearby defenders. Many young players will only use their preferred hand and this needs to be discouraged. Starting the Break – Dribbling Out Particularly when a “long rebound” is taken (i.e. the ball has bounced well away from the basket), the rebounder may see…

…those defenders are active on the split line – and they should regard it not as a specific spot, but as a “thick line”. Defenders on the split line should move in anticipation of what is about to happen. For example, if they anticipate that the player with the ball…

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….

Practicing Fast Break Fundamentals “2×2 Fast Break” Rebounder outlets the ball to one of the offensive players who move to play 2×2. The players contest “up and back” and then new players join the activity. “1+2 on 2” The players on the first and second pass are closely guarded. “4×0”…

…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…

…A team must prepare to play defence the moment that they shoot the ball. It may be a mistake for all players to pursue the rebound as that can leave a fast break open. Accordingly, players should move to one of two positions: • Into the keyway to contest the…

…position and movements of the other defenders; The position of his teammates. An important skill is to make passes from the low post and all players must develop a specific ability to pass from this position: Short passes with one hand to players who cut into the basket (including stinging…

“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….

…“open” stance is where the defender’s back generally faces the baseline. Players must be able to play both techniques. Defending One Pass Away Coaches need to make a decision as to which technique they wish to use and in what circumstances. Players must be able to both deny an opponent…

…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 and…