Drills play
Drill: 3-on-2 to 2-on-1
- Court
- Full court
- Length
- 8 steps
About this play
The classic numbers-advantage read, with transition defense and conditioning built in. Why it works: the ball handler has to make a defender commit before he passes, the wings have to run wide and ahead of the ball, and the shooter has to sprint back alone to defend a 2-on-1, so every player gets both the advantage and the disadvantage on one trip. Setup: three on offense at one baseline with the ball in the middle, two defenders at the far end stacked at the free-throw line and under the basket, lines waiting at both baselines. The offense attacks 3-on-2 and gets one shot; whoever shoots sprints back and the two defenders attack him 2-on-1 the other way; two new players step in to make the next 3-on-2 with the rebounder. Continuous for six to ten minutes, counting makes; Steve Nash's version requires three passes before any shot. Common mistakes: the ball handler penetrating past the free-throw line, wings cutting in early, and the shooter jogging back. Progression: no dribbles allowed, or a trailing defender who makes the 3-on-2 a 3-on-3. Suits every level. It came from Basketball Manitoba's write-up of Nash's 3-on-2-on-1 and Florida State women's demonstration video; give them a look for the pace.
