Pistol / 21 offense

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.

Variations & provenance

• 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

A controlled progression teaches setting and using a stationary screen.

Set it up

Three players: screener, cutter and cooperative defender, plus a coach passer. Begin without contact on one side of a half court. 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 screener approaches at walkthrough pace and establishes a balanced position with legal clearance.
3. The cutter waits until the screen is set, then moves close enough to use its angle without colliding with the screener.
4. The coach passes only through an open window; the cutter catches balanced and may shoot from a comfortable range.
5. The screener holds position until the cutter clears, then opens toward the ball. Rotate all player 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

• Do not require contact for a screen to count. Add guided defense only after the group understands positioning and timing.
• 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.

Variations & provenance

• 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.