Handoff & Help Drill

Diagrams

Diagram 1 - Setup

Diagram 2 - Setup

Purpose

• 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.

Setup

• 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)

Instructions

• 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.

Points of Emphasis

• 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.

Variations

• 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.

Coaching Tips

• 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