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Sprint-to-shot transition shooting

Guards sprint to corners and wings while bigs rim-run and rebound. Shooters get feet organized before the catch without slowing the lane fill. 4 to 16 players, 1 basket, about 12 minutes.

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Sprint-to-shot transition shooting drawn on a full court. Sprint wide, rim-run, and hit ahead: Both guards create width, the big wins the middle lane to the rim, and the passer hits the called guard only after the floor is organized.
Sprint wide, rim-run, and hit ahead: Both guards create width, the big wins the middle lane to the rim, and the passer hits the called guard only after the floor is organized.Credit: Drawn by Ball Coach

What it needs

Players
4 to 16 players
Baskets
1 basket
Court
Needs the full court
Time
About 12 minutes
Equipment
basketballs, clock, scoreboard or score sheet
Type
Skill work, intermediate

Set it up

Work full court with groups of four: one outlet passer, two guards in wide running lanes, and one big in the middle lane. Start all four near the same baseline. The next group waits safely behind the baseline until the shot and outlet are complete.

Run it

On the coach's signal, both guards sprint wide without looking back during their first three steps. One fills the ball-side corner and the other stops at the opposite wing. The big runs directly to the front of the rim, shows a target, then clears into rebounding position. The passer throws ahead to the called guard only after the runners establish their lanes. The receiver organizes the feet before the ball arrives, catches shot-ready, and shoots without drifting. The big rebounds, pivots away from pressure, and outlets to the next passer. Guards switch sides each trip; bigs rotate within the big line.

What to coach

Guards sprint to corners and wings while bigs rim-run and rebound. Shooters get feet organized before the catch without slowing the lane fill.

Score it

Award one execution point when all three runners reach the correct spots on time and the shooter catches on balance. Add one point for a made shot. The rep earns zero when a guard narrows the floor, the big trails instead of rim-running, the pass leads the shooter out of the shot, or the next group leaves early. Play to 12 execution points and record makes separately.

Make it harder

Begin with the coach calling corner or wing before the sprint. Next call the receiver after the runners cross half court so both guards must stay available. Add a one-more pass from wing to corner, then finish with a controlled closeout that forces a shot, one-dribble pull-up, or extra pass.

Use it in practice

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Where this drill comes from

Ball Coach wrote this drill for its practice planner's drill library. The curricula below shaped how the library organizes practice; no text or diagram is copied from them. The diagram is drawn by Ball Coach.