Transition to offense - half court

This drill gets players moving the ball quickly, passing and cutting, and a short offence to finish off to the hoop. It can also be slightly modified as a end ball offence.

Instructions

Player 1 starts at end ball, either side of backboard. player 2 start in line with player 1 on edge of key at the lowpost. Player 3 starts at opposite corner at half court, ALL THE WAY TO HALF COURT (no cheating), Player 4 satrts at opposite wing to where ball starts, foul line extended, and player 5 starts at opposite elbow.

These numbers are the order of who is going to touch the ball in what order, not in order of possition on court.

To start drill, you may get the player with the ball outside the court to hit the ball or call out to notify the drill is starting as you would to start an inbound play in a game.
Player 2 makes a hard cut outside the 3pt line closest to the player with the ball, player 1 then passes to player 2 and makes a hard cut inside the court, leading up to the spot where player 3 is, once player 2 has caught the ball, he should hold the ball for no longer than 2 seconds, pass goes back to player 1 who is on the run, ball is caught and in the same motion as catching the ball, he is ready to pass to player 3 who has a strong cut towards player 1. Player 3 catches the ball and comes to a jump stop, as soon as player 1 passes player 5, it is an indication the player 5 then steps out and sets a high screen for player 4. Player 4 then gets around screen, and replaces player 5 position at the elbow, ready to receive the ball, calling for the ball the moment he gets around the screen, after player 3 comes to a jump stop at the 3pt line, he shot fakes, then an inside pass to player 4, after he passes, he then makes a hard cut to the ring, and is there for a rebound. Player 4 pass fakes to player 3, then pass to a moving player 5 after he has set the screen , then rolled. Player 5 catches the ball and without a dribble, of two steps, finishes with a lay-up.
Next player in line at the base line steps out to rebound the ball, takes three big steps to get back outside the court, and just as quick as he steps out side the court, inbounds to player 1 who has become player 2.

The rotation is, player 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 3, 3 becomes 4, 4 becomes 5 and 5 goes to the end of the end ball line. new player becomes 1.

Variations

• make all passes bounce passes
• add another ball to get players moving always
• player 3 can pass fake, dribble fake, shot fake.
• using 3, 4, and 5 set a offence where 3 dribble entries down to the wing, 4 goes to the low post, 5 cuts through the key using 4 as a screen, then sprints up to the top. Now two options of pass to low post, or pass to player 5 at top for a shot or a dribble entry and shot.

Tips

When adding more balls, pick out the players who are confused, and get them to tell you the drill to see if they understand. This drill can get confusing, there are alot of aspects to think about, thats why i think it is so effective, because it gets players thinking quickly on their feet, trying to observe different things happening at once. just like the situation you get on a basketball court.

Crack down on the players that get lazy on any aspect of the drill, lazy passes, missed lay-ups, weak screens, players that run before a screen is set, not using voices to call for ball, not running to receive the ball, letting the ball hit the ground (penalise that except if you change to bounce passes) count the amount of times the ball hits the ground and use that as a basis for a penalty, give them a target to get, but before you set a target, give them some time to perfect the drill without being lazy.

Skills

Passing and cutting, recieving on the run, Timing of screens, screen and roll, leading to the ball and one step lay-ups.

Players

At least 6 players needed, up to a squad of anywhere up to 15