Pace-and-space offense

Purpose

Attack a temporary 3-on-2 while a delayed defender recovers.

Set it up

Six players: three attackers, three matching defenders and a coach with one ball. Use the full-court arrangement only with a clear route and stopping area; walk the delay and recovery first. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

1. Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
2. Coach passes to any attacker; that player’s defender touches the starting baseline.
3. Offense attacks the far basket against the other two defenders; the delayed defender sprints back.
4. When the delayed defender returns, play 3-on-3. Reset and have a different defender start late next time.
5. End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.

Coach the details

• The first two defenders communicate ball and basket coverage; the recovering defender finds the remaining matchup.
• A recovering player slows before entering a crowded landing area. No rear lunge or chase-down contact.
• Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.

Ways to adapt the drill

• Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
• The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
• Provenance (source-based): Core teaching idea is supported by the linked public source. Coordinates, timings and rotation logistics are original SportsPlay teaching aids, not reproduced source diagrams. Coach review is required.

Purpose

Five players connect an outlet pass, wide running lanes and a teammate running toward the basket to an early scoring decision.

Set it up

Five attackers and one ball, no defense. One post starts the outlet, one runs toward the rim, two occupy wide lanes and the guard receives. Rehearse one trip before adding a different read. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

1. Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
2. Receive the outlet facing upcourt while teammates move into separate wide, rim and trailing lanes.
3. Choose one read for this trip: wing pass, opposite-wing pass or an available pass to the teammate running toward the basket.
4. On a later trip, use a legally set trailing ball screen and read a drive, a pass to the screener cutting toward the basket or an outward outlet.
5. If the first opportunity is covered or a route becomes crowded, retain the ball and flow into the coach’s chosen half-court action.
6. End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.

Coach the details

• There is no universal four-second speed standard here; prioritize vision, catch control and separated routes.
• Recover the ball and reset or rest between trips. A missed shot does not require another trip.
• Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.

Ways to adapt the drill

• Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
• The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.

Purpose

An advancing handler and trailing screener work against two defenders in an early ball-screen action.

Set it up

Four players and one ball: handler, screener following behind the play and their defenders. Choose a starting distance and screening location that fit the available court and stopping space. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

1. Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
2. The handler advances while the trailer follows in a separate route, then establishes a stationary screen.
3. Defenders communicate the selected coverage before the screen.
4. The handler reads the available drive, pass or reset; the screener cuts toward the basket or moves outward after the handler clears.
5. Finish the possession under control, then rotate all four roles.
6. End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.

Coach the details

• A trailer must stop legally before screening; arriving quickly is not permission to hit a defender.
• The coach chooses screening location and coverage. No single distance or automatic counter fits every matchup.
• Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
• Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.

Ways to adapt the drill

• Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
• The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.