Fast Break Drill

Notice: This article was written by Steve Jordan, Coach's Notebook. Email the author at sjordan@alaskalife.net.

Requirements
4 or more players, 2 basketballs, 2 baskets as shown.

Benefits
Simulates fast break action and emphasizes critical fast break skills. Run enthusiastically, it helps conditioning in a fun, productive manner.

Setup
There is one 2-player team at each basket. Additional team pairs are fine, they just wait in line at each end of the court for their turn. Two teams are always going at once. Its possible for one team to overtake the another and that just makes it more fun.

Objective
Each team will get one long shot and, if missed, one follow up layup . No extra shots. If the long shot is made, the team gets two points. If the long shot is missed and the following layup is made, the team gets one point. The first team to achieve the required number of points and get both players into the circle at half court wins. The other team pairs must do pushups (coach's discretion). The predetermined number of points should be about 8.

Step by Step
We'll follow the yellow team starting at the bottom of the diagram. Y3 retrieves the basketball and hits the outlet, Y4. Y3 must then get on his horse and run hard to the wing spot down court to shoot a three. Meanwhile, Y4 dribbles to mid court then feeds a pass to Y3. Y3 shoots a three. If Y3 misses, Y4 rebounds and passes to Y3 for the layup. The rebounding position Y4 takes is very important. Insist that Y4 be in the most likely place to get an errant three point attempt from the opposite wing.

Once the team has made their basket (or missed both shots!) they must go to where the blue team started. If you have more than two team pairs, then Y3 and Y4 will likely need to wait in line a short time.

Skiils Reinforced
Outlet pass (and calling for it). Dribble to mid court and jump stop. Running the outside lane. Passing on the move and leading the recipient. Stopping and shooting a three after a hard run. Proper rebounding position. Rebounding and passing to a cutter.

Hustle and attention to details wins this race. Have fun.