Point Per Pass

I use this drill to improve  3 on 3 games in youth clinics as well as in season as a practice drill out of 4 on 4 and 5 on 5.

The drill has several objectives:

1. Keep 3 on 3 games at lower levels from being a dribbler and 2 watchers.
2. It emphasizes the give and go.
3. Requires players to get open to receive a pass
4. De-emphasize dribbling
5. Encourages team play on offense
6. Makes the defense play harder to stop the points for passes and guard the basket cutter.
7. It can be used to practice a delay game offense and defending against a delay game if you don’t set a limit for the number of passes.

Rules:

1. Regular scoring for two and three point baskets.
2. Every completed pass followed by a basket cut is worth one point for the offense.    It is important that only a pass followed by a basket cut counts as a point to promote cutting in our motion offense.  Pass and stand is not a point.  If we use it with our high school teams, then a pass and screen is also worth a point.
3. (Optional) You can set a limit of no more than 7 points from passes if there is lack of attempting to get a shot.

I teach passing to the outside hand away from the defense, meeting the pass, and other areas I want and that are appropriate for the age of the player that I am working with while running the drill.

Dribbling in a Game

Only dribble for the following reasons:


A. To take the ball to the basket
B. To improve a passing angle
C. To balance the floor and maintain proper spacing
D. To escape trouble (trapping situations, etc.)


You don't need more three dribbles to achieve any of these dribble maneuvers. Don't dribble with your back to the basket. You need to be able to  see  action as it unfolds. Stay in a position to see.

Catch the ball, pivot, and look ahead for a possible pass as well as to read the defense. If you pick up your dribble without looking ahead or reading the defense, you become an easy target to be trapped with very few options.