Three-Man Weave Basketball Warm-Up

A classic basketball warm-up: groups of three run the court passing the ball and cutting behind the receiver, tracing a figure eight. It raises the heart rate and practices passing on the move, catching, and reading space.

How to play

1. Make groups of three on the baseline with one ball, each student in a lane (left, middle, right) marked with cones.
2. Walking round (2 min): the middle player passes to one side and runs behind the receiver, who passes to the third player and cuts the same way.
3. Jogging round (3 min) basket to basket: chest or bounce passes only, no dribbling, and a layup to finish.
4. Come back along the sidelines; the next group starts once the previous one passes half court.
5. Game-speed round (3 min): reach the basket in 5 passes without the ball touching the floor.
6. Wrap-up (2 min): each group reports its good trips and the best one picks the final challenge.

Rules

• After you pass, always run behind the receiver.
• No dribbling: the ball moves only by passing.
• The shooter exits along the sideline, never through the middle.
• Call for the ball with your voice or hands.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student takes the middle lane without cutting and gets chest passes.
• Autism or shyness: give a picture of the pattern and keep the same group and lane.
• Lower fitness: allow one dribble before passing and walking on the way back.

Learning goals

• Coordinate passing, running, and cutting as a team.
• Lead the pass into space ahead of a teammate.
• Raise intensity gradually.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketball: 8
• cones: 9

Teacher tip

The most common mistake is running in front of the receiver; have students say 'pass and go behind' out loud the first few times.

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