Outlet and Chase Drill

The Outlet and Chase Drill is a fantastic stepping stone activity for any team trying to improve their fast break or primary transition phase in offense. The Outlet and Chase Drill is all about effort and pace. Anything less than absolute commitment will result in an advantage being gained by the opposing player taking part in the drill.

Too often offensive players fail to put the ball on the floor and get down the court as fast as possible. They hesitate, playing within themselves to remain in control and as a result never learn to control the pace they have while maximising the results possible by playing at this speed. The Outlet and Chase Drill ensures this cannot happen, as the advantage provided to the offensive player is so minimal that if they do not push themselves they will soon be run down and overrun.

The defensive player within the Outlet and Chase Drill must play smart by beating the ball handler to a stop on the floor. Getting ahead of the ball and then choosing to meet the ball in the most advantageous position for the defence.

The Outlet and Chase Drill starts from the defensive player rebounding the ball and outleting to the waiting offensive player at the foul line extended.

The defensive player must be instructed to apply good rebounding and outleting technique so some additional fundamentals emphasis can be taken away from the drill. On the outlet, the defensive player can start to recover down the floor.

In most instances, it will be expected that the defensive player will be able to catch and channel the offensive player in the frontcourt. This should see this player attempting once the ball moves across the halfway line to channel the player into the long corners of the floor.

The offensive player must catch the ball and explode into a speed dribble straight away. The offensive player will start facing the opposite end of the floor. The outlet pass will be made out in front of the offensive player so they can run onto the ball and start attacking the basket in the full court as soon as possible.

If the defensive player does catch the offensive player then there are a few teaching points which need to be put in place by the ball handler.

• The first key point for the offensive player is to always keep their body between the ball and the defender.
• The offensive player must be willing to maintain their line to the basket. In some instances, this will mean creating contact or being able to absorb the contact and maintain their balance and control over their body.
• Finally, the offensive player must be able to lay-up with either hand.

Point of Emphasis

The first dribble of the offensive player must be extended out in front of them. This should see a full arm extension with the ball placed out in front with the offensive player then running down the basketball so they can get up to top speed without worrying about short and quick dribbles.

Variation

For younger players the offensive will not have a big enough advantage to be able to take advantage of the scoring opportunity. In these situations, the offensive player can be moved up the floor so they have a greater advantage.

Alternatively, the defensive player can always be held from starting the chase for a count of one or two.

Another variation to the Outlet and Chase Drill is to add additional offensive or defensive players. These additional players can simply start on the baseline. It is suggested placing the starting spots in different positions with each repetition of the drill to add a slightly different look and feel to the activity for the players.

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