Two on One Fast Breaks

One of the better "little things" that I ever picked up at a coaches clinic was some advice on proper spacing for a 2 on 1 fast break. If you coach at the high school level or below, I am sure you can relate to the frustration of seeing some of your players struggle to make passes on the move. Even something as simple as a two on one fast break can at times lead to a turnover. Or you look on as two many of your players seem to be settling for jump shots instead of layups. Other times, you will see the dribbler take the ball all the way to the basket and leave his feet, only to then try to make a late pass to his teammate. At that close to the goal, one defender really can defend two players if he can turn around quick enough.

But this simple piece of advice changed all of that for me. It was something I had never heard before.

"On a two on one fast break, the non-dribbler stays behind the 'level of the ball' until the defense commits."

This allows a much safer pass and prevents the passer from having to make a pass that the defender can get a hand on. If the passer times it right, he can make the pass around the elbow area extended, while the defender is still indecisive. This almost always results in a wide open layup. And make the pass a crisp air pass rather than a slower bounce pass. This will not give the defender enough time to adjust.

If you use a drill that incorporates the 2 on 1 fast break, try using this stay behind the ball principle. The results will be immediate.