Passing / 8 MINUTES

Pass, cut, catch

Teach players to deliver a crisp pass and immediately cut toward the basket with balanced footwork to catch and score.

ON THE FLOOR

Half court · attack ↑

One example at a teaching pace.

1 passes to the right wing, cuts to the basket, and receives 2’s return pass before finishing. The wing waits for the cutter.

1PlayerXDefenderBallMovePass / shotDribble

Motion is off with your reduced-motion preference. The setup and action paths show the rep.

Players

Pairs or groups of 3 to 4

Equipment

1 basketball per group, 2 cones per group, 1 hoop per basket station

Space

Half court area around a hoop

Set it up

Place one cone at the top of the key and one on the right wing. A passer starts at the top with a basketball, and a receiver stands at the wing cone. Extra players form a short line behind the top cone.

Run the activity

The top player makes a firm chest pass to the wing teammate and holds a low athletic stance.
Immediately after releasing the ball, the passer plants their outside foot and makes a hard, direct cut toward the rim.
The wing teammate catches, pivots toward the cutter, and throws a bounce pass leading the cutter into their stride.
The cutter catches with two hands, finishes on balance, and rebounds. The previous wing passer moves to the top and receives the ball; the cutter becomes the wing passer. Rotate extra players in after each repetition.

ONE CUE TO SAY OUT LOUD

“Pass, cut, show your hands.”

Watch for this

Cutter starts jogging or floats toward the rim without changing speed after the initial pass.

Make it easier

Shorten the passing distance and remove the finish, allowing the cutter to catch and stop on two feet.

Add a challenge

Add a passive defender near the wing who forces the cutter to choose between a front cut or a back cut.