Catch and Shoot: Hands and Feet Ready Before the Ball

Shooting off the pass, where the shooter has a hand target and active feet before the catch so they can shoot without wasting time. It ends with a timed challenge for groups of three that rewards speed without losing mechanics.

How to play

1. Explain the setup: hands at chest height showing a target to the passer, knees bent, and feet meeting the ball with a hop or an inside-foot step (3 min).
2. In groups of three per basket (shooter, passer, rebounder), the shooter moves from the corner to the wing, catches and shoots; five shots, then rotate (5 min).
3. The shooter starts under the rim, runs to the wing, turns on the inside foot and catches already facing the basket; five shots and rotate (6 min).
4. Challenge: each group adds up makes in 1 minute per shooter; only makes where the shooter's hands were ready before the pass count, as judged by the passer (6 min).

Rules

• Pass to the shooter's chest, firm and with no spin.
• The rebounder does not step into the lane until the ball leaves the shooter's hands.
• If the shooter catches with hands down, the passer says so and the basket does not count.
• Each group stays on its own side of the basket.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: the passer raises a hand before passing as a warning signal.
• Wheelchair user: the shooter sets up facing the basket before the catch and shoots from the chair.
• Low shooting confidence: the student chooses a shorter distance.

Learning goals

• Have hands and feet ready before the catch to shoot quickly.
• Catch facing the basket after moving.
• Work as a group of three with accurate passes and useful feedback.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketballs: 15
• cones: 10
• stopwatch: 1

Teacher tip

Value the technique over the percentage: the hands-ready rule is the key in the challenge. If shots come up short, remind students the power comes from the legs.

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