Finally, learn the fast break with these effective fast break basketball drills. The fast break in basketball is one of the most exciting and crowd pleasing plays in all of basketball.
Fast break basketball drills prepare teams to run the transition offense during the game with ease and productivity.
Fast break and other transition offenses are ideal for small and quick teams who can use their speed advantage against slower and bigger teams.
Fast break teams are known to wear down their opponent in the fourth quarter when they tire and also are effective as a quick score right after the opponent has scored (because they will likely take a second or two to celebrate).
If you coach a small and fast team, consider running a lot of transition offense.
These fast break basketball drills provide a way to improve and gain confidence in the transition offense.
3-Man Weave
The three man weave is an exceptional fast break basketball drill great for warming up the players with a transition mindset.
At my high school, we were required to run the drill non-stop for three plus minutes. Any dropped pass or missed layup resulted in a point. At the end of the three minutes, the number of points on the scoreboard represented the number of suicides we would have to run.
This concept was genius because it forced the team to focus and run the drill with discipline (because nobody wanted to run).
The 3-Man weave is a fairly simple drill, but somewhat hard to explain.
You start with three lines on the baseline. One line directly under the basket, and two lines, each extending in the opposite direct about halfway to the out-of-bounds line.
The first player in each line is part of the 3-Man weave. The player in the line directly under the basket starts with the ball.
This fast break basketball drill entitles quick movement, accurate passing, and group chemistry.
The player under the basket begins by passing the ball to the teammate on the right. He or she runs towards the player on the far end that is also running towards the ball.
As soon as the player catches the ball he is allowed two steps before he must get rid of the ball. There is no dribbling in this drill. Why? An effective fast break requires little to no dribbling, so passing and sprinting is emphasized here.
The basic concept is to pass, take one or two steps, pass, and continue all the way down the court until one player is close to the hoop and lays it in. The next player in line will rebound, and the weave continues back down the court ending with one more lineup. The next three players start another weave.
Remember it’s a “weave,” so the drill should resemble such. The basic concept is to follow behind wherever you pass. So for example, the player who starts with the ball under the hoop passes to his right and runs to, behind, and around the player on the right.
Always follow the ball, and weave back around. If this drill is run properly, you will receive the ball almost immediately after weaving around the player you just passed to.
UCLA Drill
The UCLA drill was named after the great Bruins program which ran the fast break so effectively for years.
Essentially you need four lines, two on each sideline about ten feet apart from the half-court line.
This basketball fast break drill is ran non-stop so the ball should never remain still or not moving.
You need to designate two defenders on each hoop.
The goal of this drill is to create non-stop 3-on-2 action. Designate one player to begin at the point guard at the half-court line. The first player in each line (on that side of the hoop) will begin the 3-on-2. The two defenders are responsible for not giving up an easy basket.
Blow the whistle and allow the first 3-on-2 scenario. The point guard should drive, pass it to one of the wings, and hopefully a shot gets up in two to three seconds. The goal of the UCLA drill is to remain in the fast-break, back and forth action for as long as possible.
The only way you do that is by getting the rebound. No matter if the shot is made or missed, the five players all are allowed to fight for the rebound. The player who comes up with the rebound immediately passes the ball out to one of the wings (the two lines on each side of the court nearest the ball) and the next 3-on-2 situation occurs on the other hoop with the two wings and the player who rebounded the ball.
If you successfully continue to rebound the ball, you stay in until a possession exists where you do not come up with the ball.
The coach should award the player who stays in the longest, because it’s very hard work to continue to crash the boards and run the floor on the fast break.
Return from Fast Break Basketball Drills to Basketball Articles
Return from Fast Break Basketball Drills to Best Basketball Tips