Backdoor Cuts: Punish the Defender Who Denies

2-on-2 and 3-on-3 situations with a passer at the high post, where a receiver who is being denied cuts behind the defender to the rim. Students practice wordless communication between passer and cutter and reading a defense that pressures high.

How to play

1. Explain the cue: when the defender has a foot and hand in the passing lane, the receiver takes a step out, plants the outside foot and cuts behind to the rim; the passer throws a bounce pass (4 min).
2. Groups of three per basket: passer at the high post, receiver on the wing and a defender who denies on purpose; always finish with a backdoor cut and a layup (6 min).
3. The defender chooses whether to deny or not: if not, the receiver pops out and catches; if they deny, go backdoor (7 min).
4. 3-on-3 with a neutral passer at the high post who always plays with the offense; a basket from a backdoor cut counts double; 3-minute games, then switch opponents (8 min).

Rules

• The backdoor pass is a bounce pass on the side away from the defender.
• The cutter watches the passer the whole time, with a hand showing a target.
• No pushing off the defender to start the cut.
• The neutral passer cannot shoot and cannot be guarded with contact.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: the backdoor signal is the cutter's closed fist, visible to the passer.
• Limited mobility: serves as the neutral passer at the high post, a key role in the drill.
• Autism: always uses the same court position, and the double-points rule is explained with a card.

Learning goals

• Recognize a denying defense as the cue to cut behind.
• Coordinate the bounce pass and the cut without talking.
• Use pass and cut to gain an advantage near the rim.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketballs: 6
• cones: 12
• pinnies: 12

Teacher tip

Have the high-post passer look at the rim: looking at the cutter gives it away. With 28 students and 4 baskets, two groups of three alternate at each basket and combine for the 3-on-3.

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