2-Choice Pass Drill
Decision Making
Legend
- passer
- receivers
- defender cone
- ball travel
How it works
Teach young players to identify and pass to the open teammate in a simple 2-option read.
What you need
- basketball
- cones
- bibs
Your focus
Decision making is developed by repeatedly solving problems with clear options. Giving young players just two choices to identify trains the pattern recognition that underlies all future basketball decision making. Simple reads now become complex reads later as the game increases in difficulty.
Player with ball stands at the top of the key. Two teammates stand at each wing, one covered by a defender cone, one open.
Player must identify the open teammate and make the pass within 3 seconds.
If they pass to the covered player, it counts as a turnover. If open, the receiver catches and scores.
Coach moves the 'defender cone' each rep to change which player is open.
Goal
You've got it when you look first, then pass, and the pass goes to the open player every time, not the default.
Helpful cues
- Find the open player first, look before you pass
- Quick eyes: scan left, scan right, make the decision
- Open means open, don't hold the ball once you see it
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Tell the player which side to look before each rep.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a real defender on the passer to create time pressure.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.