3-on-1 Passing Rondo: Bounce and Overhead Passes

Three passers against one defender in a small square to warm up and practice the passes that beat an opponent: bounce, overhead and pivot-and-pass. Students must fake before passing and move to create a lane.

How to play

1. Groups of four in 5 x 5 m (16 x 16 ft) squares marked with cones; three passers on the sides and one defender in a pinnie in the middle (2 min).
2. Round 1: passers cannot dribble but can pivot; if the defender touches the ball or it leaves the square, the defender swaps with the passer (3 min).
3. Round 2: only bounce passes and overhead passes count, always after a pass fake (3 min).
4. Round 3: after passing, the passer must move to an open side of the square to give a new passing lane (2 min).

Rules

• The defender goes for the ball and never grabs or hits arms.
• Passes at chest height or lower; no passes at the face.
• No one defends for more than one minute in a row: also rotate on time.
• Squares are at least 3 m (10 ft) apart.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: agree on visual signals to call for the ball, such as a raised open hand.
• Limited mobility: always plays as a passer in a fixed corner, and the square is made bigger.
• Students who lack confidence with the ball: start with a foam ball or volleyball, which is easier to catch.

Learning goals

• Make bounce and overhead passes against a defender.
• Use fakes and pivots to open passing lanes.
• Warm up gradually with short movements.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketballs: 8
• cones: 32
• pinnies: 8

Teacher tip

If a defender cannot get a touch in a minute, shrink the square for that group. Praise the players without the ball who move into the open gap.

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