Team play / 8 MINUTES

Keep it or hand it off

Teach ball handlers to read the defender's positioning to either deliver the handoff or keep the ball and drive.

ON THE FLOOR

Half court · attack ↑

The drawing shows the deny read: 1 approaches the wing, sees the defender jumping the exchange, keeps the ball, and drives the vacated lane. A trailing defender allows the handoff instead.

1PlayerXDefenderBallMovePass / shotDribble

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

Players

Groups of 3: 3–12 players

Equipment

1 basketball per group of 3, 2 cones per group

Space

Half court (wing and top of the key)

Set it up

Set up groups of three. Player A starts at the top of the key with the ball. Player B starts on the wing with defender C playing guided, controlled defense.

Run the activity

Player A dribbles toward the wing to initiate a handoff action with Player B.
Player B cuts toward Player A to receive the ball while Defender C chooses one of two guided actions: trailing behind or jumping the passing lane.
If Defender C trails behind, Player A executes the handoff to Player B for a pull-up shot or drive.
If Defender C jumps over the exchange lane to deny, Player A keeps the ball, changes pace, and drives directly into the vacated lane for a finish.
Rotate offense to defense after every two repetitions.

ONE CUE TO SAY OUT LOUD

“Read the lane: clear to share, blocked to drive!”

Watch for this

The ball handler forces the handoff even when the defender is directly occupying the exchange space.

Make it easier

Coach calls out 'Give' or 'Keep' audibly before the action starts so the ball handler focuses strictly on executing the right footwork.

Add a challenge

Defender plays live defense after the handoff point, contesting the resulting drive or shot without fouling.