Partner Passing Up the Court

How to run it

In pairs, players run the full length of the court passing to each other on the move and finish with a lay-up. The drill trains passing on the run, leading the receiver and catching at speed.

Set-up

The full court. Pairs line up on one baseline, about 4 m apart, one ball per pair. The next pair waits behind and starts when the first pair reaches half court.

Instructions

1. 1Pair 1 on the baseline in two lanes, 4 m apart. No. 1 has the ball. Pair 2 waits behind.
2. 2No. 1 passes ahead of no. 2, who catches on the run. Both keep running.
3. 3No. 2 passes back in front of no. 1. No dribbling – passes only.
4. 4Another pass on the move. Pass to where your partner is going, not where they are.
5. 5A pass at half court. Catch with two hands and take a step before passing.
6. 6Last pass to no. 2 at the 3-point line.
7. 7No. 2 dribbles to the basket. No. 1 follows for the rebound. Pair 2 lines up on the baseline.
8. 8No. 2 takes the two steps. Pair 2 starts with the first pass.
9. 9Lay-up from the right. Pair 2 passes its way towards half court.
10. 10No. 1 takes the ball out of the net. No. 2 runs out towards the side line. Pair 2 keeps passing.
11. 11Pair 1 heads back along the side lines, no. 1 dribbling. Pair 2 is at half court.
12. 12Pair 1 carries on back. Pair 2 makes its last pass to no. 4.
13. 13No. 4 dribbles to the basket from the left. No. 3 follows for the rebound.
14. 14No. 4 takes the two steps. Pair 1 is back on the baseline and ready to go again.
15. 15Left-handed lay-up. The next pair starts.

Coaching points

• Lead your partner – the ball should arrive in their hands at the pace they're running.
• Catch with two hands and land balanced before you pass on.
• Follow through towards the target, thumbs pointing down.
• Keep the gap in the pair at about 4 m. Running too close makes it too easy.
• Talk: call the name and show your hands when you want the ball.

Variations