Triangle Pass-and-Shoot Race
A competitive catch-and-shoot drill: in groups of three, a passer, a shooter, and a rebounder rotate in a triangle and race other groups to make the most baskets in short rounds. Students work on catching ready to shoot, accurate passing, and keeping a steady rhythm.
How to play
- Make groups of three with two balls per basket and set two shooting cones about 12 feet from the rim, one on each wing (2 min).
- The passer stands at the free-throw line, the shooter at a cone, and the rebounder under the basket with the second ball.
- The shooter catches with hands ready and feet set, shoots, and follows to rebound; the rebounder becomes the passer and the passer moves to the other cone to shoot.
- Each round lasts 2 minutes and the group counts makes out loud; track the score by placing one cone on the ground for every five baskets.
- Play five rounds with 1-minute breaks, switching wings and adding one rhythm dribble before the shot in the last two rounds (14 min).
- Compare each group's best round and discuss which kind of pass made the shot easiest.
Rules
- The pass must arrive at the shooter's chest or the basket doesn't count.
- Everyone rotates in the same direction every time.
- Safety: the rebounder waits beside the rim, never under it while the ball is in the air.
- Each group counts only its own baskets.
Variations
Easier
Move the shooting cones to about 8 feet and allow bank shots.
Standard
Shoot from 12 feet on the wings with a continuous passer, shooter, rebounder rotation.
Harder
Shoot from outside the lane and count only swishes that don't touch the backboard.
Adaptations
- A wheelchair user always shoots from a fixed cone while a teammate rebounds for them.
- For students with autism, paint arrows on the floor showing the rotation path.
- Less-fit students take an extra 30-second rest between rounds.
Learning goals
- Catch the ball ready to shoot without wasting time.
- Pass accurately to the shooter's chest.
- Keep the rotation flowing in sync with the group.
Equipment for a class of 25
- basketballs: 12
- basketball hoops: 6
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
The rotation jams at first, so run one practice round at walking pace. Remind shooters to show their hands as a target before every catch.
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