5v0 Pass & Cut

Video by BreakthroughBBall

The first variation of this drill starts with basic passing and cutting. Players start in their 5 out spots. Or instead of using "spots" we just tell players to fill and space on the the 3 pt line. Then players simply run their offense without taking shots. You want players making good passes, catching in triple threat position, and executing the fine details of your offense. Players can pass to the left or right. In this example, 1 passes to 2. 1 cuts to the basket. 3 and 5 then replace the open areas. (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) (Diagram 3) 1 doesn't get the ball so he fills the open spot in the corner. 2 passes to 3. 2 cuts to the basket and 4 fills the open area. 2 then clears to the open corner. 3 passes to 5 and cuts to the basket. The continuity continues. Cut hard all the way to the basket. Look for the ball as you cut. Player with the ball should watch the cutter. No banana (rounded) cuts -- crisp cuts only. (Diagram 4) (Diagram 5) Use hand signals when filling so passer knows if you're popping out or back cutting. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

5v0 Pass & Pick Away

Video by BreakthroughBBall

In this example, players will screen away and curl every time they pass the ball. 3 passes to 4. 3 screens away for 5. 5 sets up the screen and then curls to the basket. After screening 3 opens up to the ball. 1 fills the open spot. And 5 clears to the corner. The screening process can continue as the ball is passed around. Call out your screen verbally and visually (with fist). Set up your screen. Cutter comes off shoulder to hip. Cutter curls all the way to the backboard and then finds an open spot. (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) For good timing and quick passing, the screener must pop as the screener brushes their shoulder and cuts to the ball aggressively (sprint back to the same spot you came from). Made by Breakthrough Basketball

2 Man Hammer Pass

Video by BreakthroughBBall

The Hammer action was popularized by the San Antonio Spurs and is a common setrun in the NBA This action is intended to generate an open corner three-pointer 1 attacks baseline then passes to 2 2 moves to the corner to receive pass from 1 Goal should be for 2 to line up directly to 1’s line of sight for the pass (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) 2 takes the shot. 1 relocates to 2’s previous spot to receive the pass from coach to take the shot Made by Breakthrough Basketball

Pistol Action Team

Video by BreakthroughBBall

Shooting Pistol action is used at the college and NBA levels. It is used overseas. It is very hard to defend. This is almost identical to the drag and the lift from the first sequence, but we added the dribble handoff and pistol action. It forces the point guard to create space if the dribble handoff gets blown up. The point guard also has to be ready to lift. By having the point guard lift, it is more game speed like. 3-pt. % will go up by practicing shooting from game situations with pressure. 1. Player 2 sprints to the corner. 2. Player 1 dribbles and executes a dribble hand off to Player 2. 3. Player 1 drifts to the corner. 4. Player 4 sprints to set a screen for Player 2. (Diagram 1) 5. Player 4 rolls to the basket immediately, and Player 2 passes it to Player 4 going to the basket. 6. While Player 4 is attacking the basket, Player 1 drifts towards the top of the key. (Diagram 2) 7. Player 3 passes to Player 1 for a 3-point shot attempt. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

DHO Reject Team

Video by BreakthroughBBall

Shooting We want our players to understand they can reject a dribble handoff at any time. Just like you can reject a ball screen, you can reject a dribble handoff. 1. Sometimes the defender knows the dribble handoff is coming. 2. If the defender is overplaying the dribble handoff, Player 1 or Player 2 signals a backdoor cut. 3. Before receiving the dribble handoff, Player two performs a backdoor cut and receives the pass from Player one for a potential layup. 1. The wing, Player 2, does not have to even run up for the dribble handoff. A backdoor cut can immediately be used with a jab step. 2. Don’t make the dribbler guess what you’re going to do- develop a signal for accepting or rejecting the DHO (dribble handoff). 3. It can be as simple as putting up an open hand. It just needs to be visible to the ball handler. (Diagram 1) 4. The signal for rejecting it could be a closed fist. 4. While Player 2 is attacking the basket, Player 4 sets a screen for Player 1. 5. Player 1 flares off the screen and receives a pass from Player 3. Player 1 shoots a 3-point shot. 1. The point guard should flare off the screen ready to catch and shoot. 2. Make sure everyone is on the same page with terminology to avoid confusion. 3. Do you use flare or fade? Whatever you use, use the same terms consistently. (Diagram 2) Don’t interchange to avoid confusion. 4. For us, a screen with the shooter going to the corner is a fade. 5. For us, a screen with the shooter going to the top is a flare. 6. Timing is critical for this action to work. If the point guard gets too far, the angle of the pass becomes harder. The back door pass should come from the point guard at the perimeter of the 3-point line. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

The Kick Up

Video by BreakthroughBBall

The goal is to get all the way to the basket with intent to score and/or be fouled Start with a sprint step - not a slide - to create more space faster, forcing the defense to respond Kick-ups should force the defender to go through the passer to closeout 1 attacks the basket 2 moves from the corner to the free-throw line extended for an open shot (Diagram 1) 1 should make a “positive pass” by waiting to pass the ball until 2 moves behind 1 Made by Breakthrough Basketball

The Kick Back

Video by BreakthroughBBall

Kick back differs from the kick-up based on angle of attack Ball side wing finds a window for a pass option for the driver Off guard fills behind at least 6-8 feet away from the initial attacker Do NOT do a negative kick-back, defined as a kick-back on the same side as the help defender, making the closeout shorter To be effective, kick-backs should force the defender to go through the passer to closeout on the ball Players who cut through the lane should fill an open area (e. g. the left corner) 1 attacks the basket 4 heads downhill towards the ball and receives a pass from 1 (Diagram 1) 1 should make a “positive pass” by waiting to pass the ball until 4 moves behind 1 Made by Breakthrough Basketball

Handoff & Help Drill

Video by BreakthroughBBall

The zoom action occurs on one side of the floor but it is important to work on both sides of the action for players to read. This drill works on players getting downhill and into the paint and the decisions and reads that will occur in games. Player 1 starts at the top of the key with a basketball and a defender Player 2 starts in the corner with a defender Player 3 starts in the opposite corner with a defender A chair is put in between player 1 and player 2 (where the screen in the zoom would occur) (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) The drill begins with player 1 dribble at the chair (screener) and player 2 coming off for a dribble handoff Once player 2 gets the basketball then the drill is live 3 on 3. This time the entire floor is in play. Where the help defender (x3) is at and what is the best play to make The opposite spot up player (3) staying low and having hands/feet ready for a kick out opportunity. Player 2 reading the action and positioning themselves for a scoring opportunity. Start the Drill Going Both Ways: Player 1 could also choose which direction they want to make the handoff. The other player would then become the spot up player. This makes it more of a live action right off the start without any predetermined actions to begin the drill. 4 on 4: This drill can also be done in the 4 on 4 setting. One variation would be to have the full zoom action with three players on one side and a spot up player on the opposite side. It also can be done with two spot up players on one side of the floor and two players and a chair for the zoom action on the other. Make the Help Defender Make a Decision: Getting downhill and into the paint is a key to success in any action, especially the zoom action. Remind players that the goal is to have the defender be in a position to have to make a decision. In this drill that will be caused by the player receiving the dribble handoff getting into the paint. Attacking Closeouts: This is a great drill to talk about how players should attack closeouts. If the help defender is closing out hard to the kickout player then attacking the shoulder of the defender is a great read. If the player is late to close out then the player must be ready to catch and shoot off of the kick out. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

Post Entry Team

Video by BreakthroughBBall

Shooting In this third variation of Primary Break, we will execute a Laker cut to the basket. The initial ball handler will drift to the corner as the safety valve. 1. The drill begins the same as the previous variations. (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) 2. Player 1 passes ahead to Player 2. 3. Player 3 runs and stops a little higher on the block. 1. Player 2 enters the ball to the post who is set up above the block. 2. Player 2, instead of setting a screen, will execute a Laker cut and receivea pass from Player 3. 3. Player 1 will drift to the corner and receive a pass from Player 4 for a 3-point shot attempt. (Diagram 3) (Diagram 4) 1. This is another option for our players. Once the defense stops one action, we have alternatives for each set. 2. The offense can backdoor or go over the top of the screen depending on the defender’s position. 3. In these drills, the players are getting a lot of reps in a pressure situation which simulates game-like pressure. 4. The players are getting game shots at game speed. 5. They are building their IQ by understanding spacing and concepts 6. These actions will become reads by players during the game. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

Zoom Reads Drill

Video by BreakthroughBBall

Once players are able to make reads in the 1 on 1 and 2 on 2 drills then it is time to introduce the full zoom action in 3 on 3 small sided games. This drill incorporates all three spots and works on all of the reads that will be happening within this action. This drill can be focused on a specific action, players, or read and should be a staple of any practice plan for teams implementing zoom actions in their offense. Player 1 starts at the top of the key with a basketball and a defender Player 2 starts on the wing with a defender Player 3 starts in the corner with a defender (Diagram 1) The drill begins with player 2 setting a screener for player 3 while at the same time player 1 dribbles directly at player 2. At this point the drill is live 3 on 3 with the opposite lane line serving as an out of bounds. Reads/reactions to the other players Getting downhill into the paint on the dribble handoffs. Quick/Hard cuts while reading the zoom action Start with the ball on the opposite wing: Have a coach or manager start with the basketball and the drill begins when the ball is passed to the player at the top of the key. Also, the defenders should be in their help positions while the ball is on the opposite wing. This allows for a more accurate timing of when the ball is swung directly into a zoom action. Predetermine Reads: When beginning to teach the zoom action, it may be beneficial to give the cutter a predetermined action (back cut, take dribble handoff, or don’t take dribble handoff) in order to focus on exactly what the read will look like in live 5 on 5 action. Specific Player Must Get a Shot: Challenge your players with giving them a predetermined player who must get the shot. This will help them focus on which read will be needed in the zoom action. This shouldn’t be done all of the time but a good changeup to help get more out of the drill. Mistakes Are Going to Happen: Remind players that the read they make won’t be the best one every time. A bad read that is done quickly and decisively is always better than in decision. Teach by Using the Defense: Teach the reads within the zoom by using the defensive players. For example, talk about the defensive player who went under the screen and that is why the offensive team got an open look. This will help the players understand the “why” behind the reads of the zoom action. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

25-Point Incentive Scrimmage

Video by BreakthroughBBall

A small-sided scrimmage with a scoring system built to reward the habits the earlier drills installed, not just baskets: 3 points for a ball reversal, 2 for an offensive rebound, 1 for every completed pass, 2 for a made basket, and a turnover hands the ball straight to the defense. No dribbles are allowed except one off a basket or back-door cut into a layup, so players have to move the ball and cut to score. First team to 25 wins — bump the reversal bonus even higher if a group isn't moving the ball side to side enough, since that's what actually breaks a defense down. Designed to scale up toward 4v4 and 5v5 as more players join. This drill comes from BreakthroughBBall.

2v2 Attack & Kick

Video by BreakthroughBBall

A numbers-advantage 2v2: the ball handler starts with a beaten defender trailing to recover while a single live defender has to guard both offensive players and buy time for their teammate to get back. The ball handler attacks thinking score first — if the help defender commits, they've got the pitch to a wide-open teammate; if the help stays back, they keep attacking downhill or rise into a pull-up. Dribbles are capped (starting around two) to force a real decision instead of over-dribbling, and roles rotate so every player works both the advantage and the recovery. This drill comes from BreakthroughBBall.

Ball Screen Reads

Video by Coach Ashworth

A ball-screen read progression for a passer working with a screener and a guard coming off the action: straight pick-and-roll, pick-and-seal (a slower, more deliberate post-up read off a switch), pick-and-pop for a catch-and-shoot, pick-and-pop into a closeout attack, a slip when the defense jumps the screen early, and a ghost screen where the screener fakes setting it to confuse a switching or hard-hedging defense. Run through each read so the passer learns to make the right decision every time, not just hit the roll. This drill comes from Coach Ashworth.

3v3 Down Screen & Flare Screen Drill

Video by BreakthroughBBall

The same screening concepts scaled up to 3-on-3 with a coach at the top, adding more space and a second action (a flare screen in addition to the down screen) so the defense has to decide between staying with their own assignment or helping on the screen. Emphasizes quick ball reversal after the initial action, a retreat dribble instead of picking the ball up on the baseline, and reading whether to attack downhill off the catch or reset and re-screen. This drill comes from BreakthroughBBall.

2v2 Down Screen Drill

Video by BreakthroughBBall

A live 2-on-2 introduction to a screening-based offense: a wing entry leads into a sprint down screen (no switching allowed defensively) and a quick ball reversal rather than a slow reset, giving the ball handler a two-dribble window to score off the screen. Missed shots stay live for an offensive putback, reinforcing that a miss isn't a reason to stop competing. Coaches emphasize reading the defender's positioning on the screen — curling if the defender trails, fading if the defender goes over the top — rather than running one scripted cut every time. This drill comes from BreakthroughBBall.

Keep Away

Video by MOJO (yougotmojo)

Three offensive players stand at the corners of a small square (one corner left open) while a single defender works the middle; offense passes around the square trying to keep the ball away from the defender, but can only catch a pass while standing at a cone. A defender's interception swaps them into offense with whoever threw the errant pass. Since there's always an open cone somewhere on the square, it trains players to recognize and move into open space before calling for the ball. This drill comes from MOJO (yougotmojo).

Endzone

Video by MOJO (yougotmojo)

A football-inspired possession game: two teams advance the ball into an end zone on a marked rectangle, with the offense limited to three dribbles before they must pass. An interception flips possession instantly and the new offense heads the other way; reaching the end zone scores a 'touchdown.' Periodic huddles between rounds give teams a chance to talk through how to move the ball into space with fewer defenders. This drill comes from MOJO (yougotmojo).

Dean Smith

Video by MOJO (yougotmojo)

A small-sided scrimmage where every basket must come directly off an assist — the shooter has to point to whoever passed them the ball and call out 'nice pass' to make it count. Named for the coaching legend known for building around ball movement, it discourages players from hunting their own shot and reinforces that an assisted look is usually a more open one. This drill comes from MOJO (yougotmojo).

2 on 1

Video by MOJO (yougotmojo)

An advantage/disadvantage drill: a pair on offense at the three-point line plays live 2-on-1 against a single defender rotating in from the baseline. Teaches the ball handler to dribble directly at the lone defender to draw them in, which leaves the second offensive player wide open for an easy pass and score. This drill comes from MOJO (yougotmojo).

Good Shot, Great Shot

Video by MOJO (yougotmojo)

A small-sided game (e.g., 4-on-3) that rewards finding the extra pass: the ball handler can pass or shoot but not dribble, and every made shot is scored by the coach as either a 'good shot' (contested, worth one point) or a 'great shot' (wide open, worth two). Because offense outnumbers defense, there's always an open teammate somewhere — the drill teaches players to keep moving the ball until they find them rather than settling for the first contested look. This drill comes from MOJO (yougotmojo).

Ball Screen Reads

Video by Coach Ashworth

Works the read a ball handler has to make coming off a ball screen when the weak-side defender sinks off a corner shooter to help on the roll. The ball handler reads that 'tagging' defender, then delivers an accurate pass to the corner shooter before the defender can recover — practiced on both sides of the floor so players get comfortable making the pass with either hand. This drill comes from Coach Ashworth.

2v0 Offense

Video by BreakthroughBBall

An unopposed two-player pass-and-cut progression that teaches spacing before defense gets added: pass and cut to the rim, fill the vacated spot, and read whether to cut hard or pop back out based on whether the passer is showing them the ball. Includes back-door reads for an overplayed cutter and finishes with crashing the offensive glass for put-backs. This drill comes from BreakthroughBBall.

Fill Cut & Rear Cut

Video by BreakthroughBBall

A perimeter passing-and-cutting drill. After passing, a player fills the open spot on the wing; if the defender denies tightly, they take the defender up a step or two, then back-cut straight to the rim instead of forcing the entry pass. Cutters show a target hand on cuts toward the ball and hide it on cuts away, so the passer always knows whether to throw it or not, and refill to the wing to repeat if they don't get the ball. This drill comes from BreakthroughBBall.