Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill

The Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill provides an opportunity for players to practice high-paced passing with a game realistic situation to finish the drill. The Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill focuses on a dribbler being in the lead during a fast break situation. This type of set-up is very game realistic, especially for those teams that focus on using extended pressure. In these situations, the dribbler is often the stealer or deflector of the ball who reacts quickest because they are leading the offense. Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill looks to provide a scenario where all the help to the dribbler is behind the line of the ball and so making reads on the run as to what opportunities are available is highlighted from a different perspective.

The set-up for the Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill starts with three lines of players along the baseline.

The middle line starts with a basketball. The first player in the middle lane moves onto the court in front of the basket. One (1) then throws the ball of the backboard, rebounding and outleting to one of the wing players (Two or Three).

When Two (2) and Three (3) see One (1) throw the ball up to the backboard, they break onto the court and move into outlet positions of at least the foul line extended on each side of the court. A common problem in the early stages of the Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill is outlet players pulling up early and not reaching these positions.

The three players then pass the ball from one side of the court to the other as quickly as possible. No dribbling, only catching and passing on the run.

The ball is passed back and forth up to halfway. Then the next player in a sideline lane that receives the pass once over halfway becomes the dribbler attacking the basket in the front court.

In the diagram above Three (3) catches the ball and establishes a driving lane to the basket.

The player in the opposite sideline lane (Two) becomes the defender and sprints to establish a position blocking the dribblers lane to the basket.

The middle lane runner looks to fill a receiver spot for a good shooting position close the basket if needed.

Points of Emphasis for the Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill

• The Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill really has two distinctive phases; in the back court the players are looking to hit positions (such as outlet) and then advance the ball as quickly as possible. In the front court (second phase) the players are looking to execute to either make the best possible scoring opportunity a reality or stop the shot
• Players in the back court should be looking to advance the ball as quickly as possible; use time as well as passes to ensure this happens with a realistic sense of urgency
• In the front court the primary scoring option is for the dribbler to make the lay-up
• The secondary scoring option is for the trailing offensive player to perform a jump shot from the strong side elbow or lay-up over the front of the basket

Variation

To make the Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill a little more challenging any player who receives the pass over halfway becomes the dribbler (instead of the first player in a sideline lane). In this scenario, the player who makes the pass to the player over halfway becomes the defender.

The really great aspect of this variation is that it allows the drill to be changed constantly so to always provide a challenge to players.

The Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill looks to provide a number of different benefits for teams looking to improve their fast break or offensive transition scoring conversion. A simple drill but very effective in building confidence in players about when to push a scoring opportunity, and when to look for other possibilities. The greatest advantage a team and coach can obtain from using the Passing and Scoring Under Pressure Drill is that they become better at executing on the end of the floor that counts the most.

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