When a defender guards tightly, the bounce pass gets through where air passes can’t. This drill teaches the angle and timing under pressure.
What you need: Basketball. Three kids per rep. Half-court.
Setup: Three kids stand in a line. A and C are 12 feet apart. B (the defender) stands between them, 5 feet from A.
How to run it:
- A has the ball. B plays soft defense, hands high.
- A bounces a pass from their hip down and through B’s legs or under B’s hands to C.
- The bounce point is low and forward so it passes through the defender’s space.
- C catches and returns with a bounce pass.
- Do 8 bounce passes through the defender. Rest. Rotate roles.
What to watch: Is A bouncing it at a point that’s actually between the passer and receiver? Or is it bouncing at B’s feet? The angle and distance determine success.
If they’re struggling: Have B play at 25% pressure instead of 50%. Reduce the distance to 10 feet. Use a bigger ball.
If they’ve got it: B plays at 75% effort with hands in the passer’s face. Add game-like pressure.