Pass to space and cut
Ready when: Pass and catch with a partner (b3) done.
What you are learning
Playing as a team: after a pass, cut into empty space toward the basket, and fill the spots others leave so players do not bunch up. Pass to the open team-mate, not the one who is covered.
Words on this card Dribble, Travelling, Double dribble, Top spot, Cut, Turnover
- Dribble
- Bouncing the ball with one hand while moving or standing.
- Travelling
- Moving with the ball without dribbling: more than two steps.
- Double dribble
- Dribbling again after holding the ball, or dribbling with two hands.
- Top spot
- Places on the court: the top is straight out in front of the basket; the wings are to each side.
- Cut
- A quick run into space to get free for a pass.
- Turnover
- Losing the ball to the other team.
Set up
A half court or marked area, one ball. Bibs or ribbons.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Stand at the top spot with the ball; your child stands at the wing.
- Pass to the wing, then cut at an angle toward the basket, hands up.
- A third player walks into the top spot you left.
Your part while they practise
Be the referee; call "live" after the first pass.
Step by step
- The player at the top passes to the wing.
- The passer cuts at an angle into space toward the basket.
- Another player fills the empty top spot.
- Keep going: pass, cut, fill. 6 rounds.
How much: 6 rounds 10 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Pass and cut game
3 against 3 or 4 against 4 where the defence may only intercept.
Who plays: 3 or more: 2 against 1 with three players, 3 against 3 or 4 against 4 with more. Bibs or ribbons for one team.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The attack starts at the top; after the first pass the referee calls "live"
- Attackers may dribble up to 3 times, then must pass
- The defence may only intercept passes, never touch a player
- Score in the hoop. After a score or an interception, the other team attacks
- Fair play
- A grown-up may pass but never shoot.
- Points
- 2 points for a basket; 1 point for 5 passes in a row; 1 point to the defence for each interception.
- Fouls
- The ball goes to the other team
- Travelling
- More than 3 dribbles, or a double dribble
- Pushing or holding
- Winning
- The first team to 10 points, or the most after 10 minutes.
- 4 points for 1 star
- 7 points for 2 stars
- 10 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
No defender.
Start 3 against 2 for the attack.
What you will see, and what to say
- two players stand together
Fill the empty space
Move to the spot nobody is in. - the pass goes to a covered player
Pass to the open one
Look for the team-mate with no defender near.
Self-check
5 passes in a row without a turnover in a 3 against 3 game.
Stop and get a coach when
Collisions in cuts.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains spacing, passing to space.
awiseathlete.com/sports/basketball/basketball-i3