A pass fake makes a defender move the wrong way. This opens up the real pass. This drill teaches the separation between the fake and the real pass.
What you need: Basketball. One ball, two kids per pair. Open space.
Setup: Partners stand 15 feet apart facing each other.
How to run it:
- Player A holds the ball. Player B stands facing them passively (no defense yet).
- A fakes a chest pass to the right by starting the motion then stopping.
- A immediately chest passes to the left.
- B catches and returns it.
- Do 10 passes with fakes. Rest. Switch roles. Do 10 more.
What to watch: Do they fully commit to the fake or does it look half-hearted? The fake must look real so the defender (or in this case, the partner’s eyes) follows it.
If they’re struggling: Use bigger, slower fakes. Have B close their eyes on the fake so A doesn’t have to sell it as hard.
If they’ve got it: Add a passive defender. B plays soft defense. A must use the fake to create space for the pass.