Passing: split chase transition passing

Three players are involved in this drill. The offensive player starts near the lane holding a basketball under one arm. The defender is guarding them while also holding a basketball, which limits their ability to use their hands. A third player or coach stands free-throw-line extended with a ball and acts as the passer. How it Works: The offensive player moves like a running back in football, working to get open while keeping the ball tucked under one arm. The passer reads the movement and delivers a pass once the offensive player creates space. The offensive player must catch the ball with one hand, secure it, and finish at the basket while the defender contests. The defender is limited by also holding a ball, which creates a more balanced advantage for the offense. Focus Points: Work on getting open through quick cuts and body positioning. Emphasize catching the pass cleanly with one hand and immediately transitioning into a finish. The passer should focus on finding the correct passing angle and delivering an accurate pass. To increase difficulty, players can switch which arm holds the ball so they must catch and finish with their weak hand. This drill can be with three players, but it can also go up to five players. You'll be using a full court for this drill. The players will be standing at half court. There'll be one player with a ball, and then the other two players will also be holding a ball. You can play without the offensive player and defensive player, the other players holding a ball. You can play with one ball, or you can play with three. The three just adds another constraint to it. But the offensive player who has the ball to start, the passer is standing, cannot move from their position. They are teammates with the other offensive player who's facing them, and then the defensive player is not looking at the ball, they're facing the offensive player who's trying to score on either basket. So they can cut either way, score on either basket. The offensive player has to make the right advanced pass, and the offensive player, the other offensive player has to cut, catch the ball, and score. The way that you can make this with five players is if you put an extra defender underneath each basket, and then from there, you can just rotate all the spots. This drill is working on having to get open, catching, finishing, but most importantly, the passing from the offensive player hitting a player who's passing and cutting in space. Setup: This drill can be run with three players and expanded up to five players. Start with all players at half court using the full court. One offensive player has the ball and acts as the passer, while another offensive player stands facing them as the cutter. The defender stands between them but faces the cutter instead of the ball, creating a disadvantage. For an added constraint, the cutter and defender can each hold a basketball while playing. To expand the drill to five players, place an additional defender under each basket. How it Works: The passer must stay stationary at half court and cannot move. The cutter works to get open and can attack either basket on the court. Because the defender is not looking at the passer, the offensive player must time their cut and receive an advanced pass in space. Once the cutter catches the ball, they attack the basket and finish. If using the five-player variation, the cutter must finish against the extra defender waiting under the basket. After each rep, players rotate positions. Focus Points: Emphasize creating separation with smart cuts and timing. The passer should focus on throwing accurate lead passes that allow the cutter to catch the ball in stride. Offensive players should concentrate on catching cleanly and finishing quickly at the rim. This drill also reinforces vision and anticipation for the passer while teaching the cutter how to find open space and attack decisively.