Transition Drills
1 vs. 2 - 2 vs. 1The players assume a basic three lines drills position on the baseline. The central line one with the ball (offensive player) and those lateral without the ball (defensive players). On the coach's signal the first player with the ball (central line) dribbles the length of the court for a lay-up at the opposite basket. On a second signal from the coach (two or three seconds later), the first player from each of the two lateral lines sprints to stop the ball. After a make or a missed shot the two defenders immediately become offensive players, and the former offensive player sprints back to become the defender in a 2 on 1 defensive situation. After a score the two former defenders must inbound the ball under the basket they have defended.
1-1 Fast Break
Sometimes used as warming up drill. Two teams stand behind their own baseline. One player has ball, and one defender of the other team with him. The player with the ball goes to the other side as fast as possible to score, while the defender tries to steal the ball. As soon as the player has scored (or lost the ball) he will become defender against a new offensive player (a team mate of the earlier defender).
Player must score or loose the ball before the new player may take over. The 1st player must be aware of his defensive role after his score. The new player must also go as fast as possible.
11 Man Fastbreak
This is a continuous 3 on 2. It is designed to work on a good outlet pass, smart decisions when on a 3 on 2, and good defense when faced with a 3 on 2. Uses 11 Players. Start with players in each of the four outlet positions, two players playing defense in each key, and three players at half court (with one ball). The three players at half court go 3 on 2 at either end of the court.
When a shot is taken all five players fight for the rebound. Whoever gets the rebound makes an outlet pass to whichever outlet is closer. The outlet who gets the ball dribbles to the middle of the court, the player who made the pass fills the lane on the side the pass was made to, the other lane is filled by the player in the other outlet position. These three players now have a 3 on 2 going the other way. The four players who did not get the rebound go to one of the open positions, 2 go to the outlet position and 2 play defense. The same happens at the other end of the court and so on.
2 on 1 Fast break
Form two equal lines about five feet above the top of the key (offense). Players face the basket. A third line is formed at the base of the basket (defense). One defender moves up just short of the foul line. The object is to teach the two offensive players how to perform a two on one fast break. It also teaches the defender how to defend a two on one.
The two offensive players begin push passing the ball back and forth as they run toward the basket (no dribbling is allowed until the player with the ball shoots or determines to set up the offense). Their job is to keep the defender off guard with quick, crisp passing. The defender must decide whether to back up and wait for a last second chance to challenge one shooter or to attempt to steal the ball. What usually happens is the defender eventually realizes that he has to make a stand before the two offensive players get to close to the basket. The offensive players have to decide 1) when to hold the ball and drive to the basket, 2) fake a pass to pull the defender out of position and then drive, 3) pull up and take a short jumper, or, if the play breaks down, 4) setup and run the offense.
2-2 Transition Defense
Make groups of two. Set up an offensive and a defensive team on one basket. The other groups of 2 divide up at the position free throw line extended-sideline equally on both ends of the court. One player is positioned on the right side his teammate on the left side.
The two teams on the court play against each other until either the offense scores or defense gets the rebound. The rebounder then quickly outlets the ball to one of the player waiting free-throw-line extended (does not matter if outlet is to right or left side) who takes off with his teammate trying to score an uncontested lay-up.
The former offense gets defense and has to hustle back to other end of the court to try to stop the new offense. Former defense goes at the end of the line position free-throw line and sideline. This is a continuous drill for a specific amount of time. Do this drill as a contest. Give a point to each group preventing the offense from scoring without foul. Play for a specific amount of points.
- No layups for any offensive team.
- Make a quick transition from offense to defense.
- Accurate outlet passes by the defensive rebounder.
Its like a three-man weave but no weaving. The conversion is like fast break conversion.
Get three lines of players. 1's and 2's in the middle and 3's-5's in the other two lines. They pass back and forth all the way down. The person in the middle alternates who they are passing it to. As they are going down the court passing they are saying the name that they are passing it to. When the two outside guys get to the opposite free throw line they break to the basket for a lay-up or a alley-oop dunk but it must be finished. After the basket is made it is the same thing down to the other end.
Full Court Lay-ups
This is a great drill for any level. It will work on conditioning, lay-ups and passing in the transition game. Teams that like to beat the defense back down the floor for easy baskets will find this drill valuable. Split teams into two equal lines. One line stands out of bounds near the outlet area. The other line stands under the basket with two balls.
Player 1 under the basket bounces the ball off the backboard, rebounds it and fires a crisp outlet pass to the player 2 in the outlet line. Player 2 dribbles the ball to the middle of the floor down to the opposite foul line. Player 1 fills in the lane near the sideline on the outlet side of the floor and sprints to the block under the opposite basket, receives a pass from player 2 and makes the lay-up.
After player 1 makes his lay-up, he rebounds his make and jumps out of bounds to inbound the ball. Player 2 the sprints up the floor (on the opposite side of the court as the first lay-up) near the sideline. Player 2 must look back to the ball and receive a full court pass from player 1 and then make the lay-up.
Players 1 and 2 switch lines after their first rotation through the drill. As soon as player 1 and 2 reach the first lay-up point, the next two players should start their rotation through the drill. This will allow for continuous motion and conditioning.
Tunnel drill
The drill involves everyone on the team and they stay in constant movement most of the time. Place three players on each side of the court, spaced at the foul lines extended and at mid court. One or more players are then placed under each basket. The drill starts with the player under the baskets passing to the right to the first player along the sideline. He or she runs a route down court about 15 ft from the sideline. He or she receives the pass back from the first person and then passes to the player at mid-court, receives a pass back and passes to the player at the other foul line extended, receives pass back and shoots a lay-up. The shooter then goes to the other side of the court and receives the first pass from the person under the basket who rebounded the ball. The court should look like an oval race track with 2 cars going around it. The people receiving the passes should move down one slot each time they receive a pass until they reach the end of the court where they assume a position in line under the basket.
