HOOPSKETCHBASKETBALL
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Team play / 10 MINUTES

Keep a passing window

Teach off-ball players to relocate along the perimeter to maintain open passing lanes against active defense.

ON THE FLOOR

Partner / station setup
Keep a passing window — drill diagramWith a defender in the middle, 1 passes to 2 while the far off-ball player 3 fills the empty corner. No dribble.Move to open a window123X123X
One example at a teaching pace.
With a defender in the middle, 1 passes to 2 while the far off-ball player 3 fills the empty corner. No dribble.
1PlayerXDefenderBallMovePass / shotDribble

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

Players

Groups of 4 (4 to 12 players)

Equipment

1 basketball per group of 4, 4 cones

Space

Half court perimeter area

Set it up

Set 4 cones in a wide box around the perimeter (top, wings, and corner). Form 3 offensive perimeter players and 1 active defensive player in the middle.

Run the activity

  1. The 3 offensive players start at 3 of the 4 cones, with 1 cone left intentionally open. The defender guards the passing lanes in the middle.
  2. The offense must complete 5 consecutive passes without dribbling. No overhead looping passes are allowed.
  3. Whenever a pass is made, the off-ball player furthest from the ball must read the defense and slide to the open cone to create a clean passing window.
  4. If the defender tips a pass or forces a 5-second violation, the passer swaps spots with the defender.
ONE CUE TO SAY OUT LOUD

“Move when the ball flies, stay in line of sight.”

Watch for this

Standing still after making a pass, causing passing angles to close as the defender shifts.

Make it easier

Expand the space between cones by 3 feet to give passers larger passing lanes and more reaction time.

Add a challenge

With a fifth player, add a second defender for a three-on-two game. Rotate defenders regularly and keep passing distances manageable.