What this version covers
Hart’s public preview distinguishes a handoff from a keeper decision.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
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offense
Pistol / 21 offense
Pistol starts as the ball handler advances, with a wing teammate on the ball side and another teammate arriving behind the play. Begin with a pass to the wing, a handoff, or a screen between guards; continue with a ball screen or a screen that frees a teammate to move away from the ball.
How it runs
Pass ahead, move to the corner and screen for 2
One Pistol example: 1 passes ahead to 2, then 5 follows to screen for 2. Other versions start with a handoff or a screen by a guard. Defenders are not shown. Each step explains what to do if the defense reacts as described. Player spots are examples.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 5
1. Pass ahead on the side
1 passes ahead to 2 on the wing, then runs outside 2 to the corner. 5 follows the play. 3 and 4 stay spread out on the other side.
Diagram key
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
Pistol names a family of side actions. Our pass-ahead and handoff-first examples make different players the next handler; do not combine their routes into one automatic sequence.
In this guide · jump to a topic
Starting jobs and useful space
Identify the handler after the first exchange
Our base starts 1 advancing on the side, 2 ahead on the wing and 5 trailing toward the action. Players 3 and 4 occupy the other side. Before running, ask who should have the ball after the first pass. In the pass-ahead version it is 2; a return handoff changes that answer.
The first passer’s outside route needs enough room to pass the receiver without running through a defender. Do not park a second teammate in that corner. The trailer must see where the eventual handler is going before approaching the next screen.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Keep the possession going
Connect early movement to an organized next action
Practice the entry at a speed that lets the receiver catch without stepping into the sideline. Then add the trailer’s approach and a deliberate stop before screening. If the entry arrives late or the trailer is behind the play, retain the ball and organize; the word early is not permission to hurry into contact.
After the turn, keep the corner and opposite side available. A pass to either side starts a new decision, not a requirement to return to the original handler. If the screen produces no advantage, choose the team’s familiar half-court action from the spacing you actually have.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Decisions against the defense
The return handoff route is blocked
When: The defender sits between the following passer and receiver.
Do this: Keep the ball protected instead of forcing the exchange. Use a taught keeper or another visible pass.
Then: The would-be receiver must clear rather than circle into the ball holder repeatedly.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The screen is switched
When: The handler faces a different defender after turning.
Do this: Assess balance, space and help before attacking. A new matchup does not guarantee a driving lane.
Then: If help closes the attack, find the separate inside or outside receiver.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
What to emphasize
- CoachAssist practice idea: choose one way for three players to start the play. Then let the defenders choose how to guard it.
Problems, fixes and checks
The passer and corner player arrive together
Problem: The entry produces two attackers beside the sideline.
Try this correction: Assign the corner before the pass and move the other player to a separate outlet.
Check: The receiver can turn without a teammate immediately beside the ball.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The trailer screens a place the ball has left
Problem: The handler continues moving before the screener arrives.
Try this correction: Slow the catch-to-screen connection and let the handler communicate the side.
Check: The screener can arrive and stop without chasing contact.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Versions and diagram coverage
Flip into drag
Changes: entry, continuation.
- The linked start returns the ball by handoff before the trailer’s screen; our default leaves it with the first wing receiver.
When to use it: Teach the exchange separately before adding transition speed.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Other named Pistol packages
Changes: names only.
- A familiar Pistol label does not establish every coach’s keeper, flare or later screen call. Unshown packages remain written-only.
When to use it: Ask for the intended first exchange and player jobs before adopting another team’s name.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
How to teach it
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Practice it step by step
Pass ahead and leave a clear lane
Set it up: Three attackers on one side, without defense.
- Pass to the wing and walk the outside route.
- Ask the receiver to point to the trailer before adding the screen.
Add more when: All three identify the next ball handler.
Check it in play
- No blind exchange near the sideline.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
What can go wrong and how to adjust
- Pistol is an action family, not a fixed sequence. It is not automatically Zoom.
- No standalone named drill was verified from this source.
Coaches and teams that use it
We have not confirmed a specific coach or team using this version. Teams may use the same name for different plays.
Drills for this scheme · steps and diagrams
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Drag Screen 2-on-2 in Transition
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Develops the advancing-handler/trailing-screener timing useful in some Pistol continuations. It does not teach the wing entry, handoff or complete 21 sequence.
An advancing handler and trailing screener work against two defenders in an early ball-screen action.
4–12 players · 6–12 minutes · basketballs
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
- 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.
- The handler advances while the trailer follows in a separate route, then establishes a stationary screen.
- Defenders communicate the selected coverage before the screen.
- The handler reads the available drive, pass or reset; the screener cuts toward the basket or moves outward after the handler clears.
- Finish the possession under control, then rotate all four roles.
- 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.
Screen Setting Fundamentals (P.A.S.S.)
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Prepares legal screening and cutter timing only. A downscreen breakdown is not Pistol, Zoom or an interchangeable entry.
A controlled progression teaches setting and using a stationary screen.
3–12 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs
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
- 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.
- The screener approaches at walkthrough pace and establishes a balanced position with legal clearance.
- The cutter waits until the screen is set, then moves close enough to use its angle without colliding with the screener.
- The coach passes only through an open window; the cutter catches balanced and may shoot from a comfortable range.
- The screener holds position until the cutter clears, then opens toward the ball. Rotate all player roles.
- 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.
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.
Sources and what we could confirm
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
Coaches run this in different ways. The sources below describe the versions covered here. These sources do not cover every possible version.
- Pistol Action Plays
James A. Gels · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
- 5-Out Actions to Create Early Offense
Chandler Sturtz · Hooper University · 2022-05-06
Public written early-action examples reviewed; publication date confirmed in the publisher’s index. Original selected Pistol and double-drag situations, not every rule in those families.
- How to Score Fast with the Pistol 21 Series Offense
Marc Hart · System Basketball Newsletter · 2025-08-19
Public preview only. No inference of the full Ricky/Hammer series or paid installation.