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Help & recovery / 8 MINUTES

Talk the X-out recovery

Communicate a shared recovery when one helper must stop the drive.

ON THE FLOOR

Half court · attack ↑
Talk the X-out recovery — drill diagramA helps on the controlled drive. On the wing kick-out B takes 2, while A recovers to corner player 3. These are spoken assignments for the illustrated pass, not a universal rotation rule.B takes wing · A takes corner123XX
A helps on the controlled drive. On the wing kick-out B takes 2, while A recovers to corner player 3. These are spoken assignments for the illustrated pass, not a universal rotation rule.
1PlayerXDefenderBallMovePass / shotDribble

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

MAKE IT FIT YOUR GROUP

Coach the players in front of you.

Ages 12–14

Teach each destination separately and freeze at the first catch before joining the sequence.

Ages 15–18

Vary drive and pass timing. Evaluate communication and coverage before counting a contested shot as a success.

Work & rest
Two guided possessions, then rotate and reset the assignments.
Look for success
The two defenders call distinct receivers and recover without running through the same space.
Players

3 attackers and 2 guided help defenders

Equipment

One basketball, Basket, Three perimeter markers

Space

Half court with a driver and two weak-side receivers

Set it up

Put a driver on the right wing and receivers at the left wing and corner. Two defenders begin on the weak side. Walk through who covers the drive, who takes the first wing pass, and who then recovers to the corner.

Run the activity

  1. The driver approaches the lane at controlled speed. The upper helper covers the open gap early; the lower defender sees both weak-side receivers.
  2. On a pass out to the weak-side wing, the lower defender calls “ball” and closes with room to stop.
  3. The first helper calls the corner assignment and recovers to the lower receiver. Keep the recovery lanes separate and freeze if they cross into each other.
  4. Reset before a second pass or live shot. Rotate every two reps; later vary the driver’s decision so the exchange is a read.
ONE CUE TO SAY OUT LOUD

“Call your player before you recover.”

Watch for this

Both helpers chasing the first pass or silently assuming someone else has the corner.

Make it easier

Rehearse a named drive-and-wing-pass sequence at walking speed.

Add a challenge

Add the skip pass directly to the corner and agree on its recovery rule before playing live.

Coaching references

Original HoopSketch activity and drawing. These references informed the coaching principles; the age fit, constraints and pacing are our editorial guidance. Adjust to readiness and your league’s rules.

Age and development framework

References checked October 22, 2026. Basketball-coach review pending.