Five players. One ball. Simulate the play or choose a step below the court.
Teaching pace · choose 0.5× to slow it down.
When to use this example
Use this half-court sequence to teach movement after a pass without a screen. Begin with the pass and cut, then add clearing, filling, and reversal. The example is set up for age 11 and illustrates one continuation when the give-and-go is covered.
Starting positions
- 1 begins at the top with the ball.
- 2 starts on the right wing; 3 starts on the left wing.
- 4 starts in the left corner; 5 starts in the right corner.
Left and right follow the diagram. Player numbers identify jobs in this example; they do not assign permanent roles to children.
Run it in order
Pass to the wing
1 passes to 2 on the right wing.
Cut and look
1 cuts to the rim. 2 looks for the give-and-go; this sequence continues with 2 holding the ball.
Clear and fill
1 clears to the left corner. 4 replaces 3 at the left wing and 3 fills the top.
Reverse safely
2 passes to 3 at the top to continue the offense.
If the first option is covered
If the give-and-go is covered, hold the ball and reverse to 3 after the top is filled.
A passing arrow shows an intended action, not a guaranteed opening. Rehearse the alternative and check your competition’s restart rules before using an inbound example.
Give players one cue at a time
- Cut after your pass rather than standing still.
- Keep looking at the ball while cutting.
- Fill behind the cutter and preserve space.
What to watch for
- 1 watches the pass instead of cutting: connect the pass and first two steps.
- 3 and 4 fill before the cutter clears: freeze the picture and identify the space each player is moving into.
- 2 forces a pass to the cutter: practice keeping the ball and reversing to 3 after the top is filled.
Rehearse the decision
Teach the pass and cut first, then add clearing and filling. Have 2 look at the cutter on every rep, but practice the illustrated continuation with 2 keeping the ball. Add a defender only when the players can explain where the next passing window will be.
Explain what the movement is trying to do
Passing changes where the defense must look. Cutting gives the passer a moving target. Clearing prevents the cutter from staying in the lane, and filling gives the ball handler another teammate to find. The diagram illustrates those ideas; it does not promise that a defender will allow a particular pass.
Connect the idea to the next practice
Start in pairs with a pass followed by movement to a new receiving spot. Progress to a small group with one defender when the players can keep their spacing. Use the five-player sequence only when the group is ready to connect the actions. The practice planner offers an eight-minute pass-and-move block that you can lengthen or shorten.
Check the fit for your team
This example has no screen and stays in the half court. The appropriate pace, distance, and level of opposition depend on experience, not just an age label. Confirm your local competition rules before building a lesson around a defensive tactic.
Questions a coach might ask
Is this a complete offense?
It is a teaching sequence. It can introduce movement after a pass, but a complete offense also needs decisions for different defensive responses.
What if the cutter is covered?
Keep the ball safe, allow the cutter to clear, and look at the next available teammate. Do not force a pass because an arrow appears on the page.
Can I simplify it?
Teach only the pass and cut first. Add clearing and filling after those two actions make sense.
Keep learning
For official development guidance, see USA Basketball’s Youth Basketball Guidelines. For another example of movement after a pass, see the Jr. NBA Post Pass and Cut Drill. These are further-reading resources; they have not reviewed or endorsed this HoopSketch example.
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