3v2 to 2v1 Fast Break

How to run it

Three attackers run a fast break against two defenders in tandem. When the defence gets the ball it goes straight back 2-on-1 the other way. The drill trains decisions at speed, filling the lanes and the quick switch from offence to defence.

Set-up

The full court. Three attackers (blue) at their own basket, two defenders (red) in tandem at the other end: one at the free-throw line and one under the basket.

Instructions

1. 1No. 1 has the rebound under their own basket. The wings are on the side lines, two defenders wait in tandem at the other end.
2. 2Outlet pass to no. 3 on the right wing. No. 2 sprints the left lane.
3. 3No. 3 passes back to no. 1 in the middle.
4. 4No. 1 dribbles up the middle, the wings run wide and high in their lanes.
5. 5The top defender stops the ball, so no. 1 passes to no. 3. The bottom defender takes no. 3.
6. 6No. 3 passes across to no. 2 at the far block – the top defender can't rotate in time.
7. 7No. 2 finishes at the basket.
8. 8The defender grabs the rebound, the other one sprints away. Only no. 2 gets back.
9. 9Long pass ahead to the red player who sprinted away. No. 2 races back.
10. 10The red player passes to the team-mate as soon as no. 2 commits.
11. 11Lay-up at the other end. The next group starts.

Coaching points

• Ball in the middle and wings wide – at least 4–5 m between players.
• The middle player stops at the free-throw line if there's no gap – and passes.
• Tandem defence: the top player stops the ball, the bottom one takes the first pass, the top one rotates down.
• In the 2-on-1: attack the defender until they commit, then pass.
• The lone defender in the 2-on-1 fakes and backpedals to buy time until help arrives.

Variations