Partner Passing Down the Court to a Layup

In pairs, students run the court from baseline to baseline passing on the move without dribbling and finish with a layup, then return along the sideline. They practice passing and catching on the run, leading passes and timing with a partner.

How to play

1. Set 4 lines of pairs on one baseline, two for each half of the court, with one ball per pair; mark two lanes for the run with cones.
2. First, jog down the court about 10 ft apart making chest passes with no dribbling; whoever catches it in the lane shoots a layup and the partner rebounds.
3. Come back along the sideline dribbling easily, never through the lanes, and join the back of your line.
4. Next, run faster with leading passes: throw the ball ahead of your partner so they catch it without slowing down.
5. Final challenge (4 min): each pair counts how many baskets they make without the ball touching the floor on the way down.
6. Switch the layup side each round to work both hands.

Rules

• No dribbling on the way down: pass and catch only.
• The next pair starts when the previous pair crosses half court.
• Always return along the sideline, never through the middle.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student goes down in a wheelchair with short passes and shoots at a lowered hoop.
• Hearing impairment: the pair agrees on a hand signal to call for the ball.
• Lower fitness: the student runs half the court and finishes at a side basket.

Learning goals

• Pass and catch on the run without losing speed.
• Time a leading pass to the partner's movement.
• Finish the play with a layup after the catch.

Equipment for a class of 25

• youth basketballs: 12
• basketball hoops: 2
• cones: 8

Teacher tip

The typical mistake is passing at the partner's body and forcing them to stop: tell students to aim for the partner's lead hand. Control the start of each pair to avoid collisions in the lane.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary