Fast Break Drills for Youth Basketball

Are you looking for drills that will help your youth basketball team get out in transition and score more points on the fast break? Then you’ll love these two practice ideas.

The first one is called the “Celtics Layup Drill”, and it trains your kids to pass accurately and finish at high speed in a full court setting. It’s also excellent for keeping your youth basketball team in top physical condition.

The second drill is called “Triangle Breakout” – this one focuses on boxing out after the shot goes up, then quickly transitioning from defense to offense. If you enjoy these drills, make sure you download the Fast Break Domination eBook today.

Boston Celtic Passing Drill:

This drill is run with two group of players simultaneously moving down the court, one on each side of the court and going towards opposite baskets (see the diagram below).

To start, there will be a player in each corner, a player under each basket with a ball, and a player standing on each side of the center circle. This is a passing drill that will start with the player under each basket and wind-up with that player making a layup at the opposite end of the floor.

The players under each basket will begin the drill by passing to the right corner. That player will sprint up the floor and receive a pass back. The next pass will go to half court. The player will continue to sprint up the floor and receive the pass back. The next pass is to the other corner (on the other end of the floor). The player will receive the ball back and make a layup. That player will then go to the corner to the left.

After each pass, the player making the pass should move to the next spot on the floor. So the player in the right corner will go to half court, the player at half court will go to the corner, and the player in the corner will get the rebound from the layup and then begin the drill all over again by passing to the right corner and sprinting up the floor.

Coaching Points:

The coach should look for crisp and accurate chest passes. He should also see the player going through the drill running hard and finishing hard with a layup. The players on each spot should pass the ball back so that the player running the floor doesn’t have to break stride.

Basketball Transition Drill: Triangle Breakout

To start, three offensive players and three defensive players set-up in a triangle under the basket. Two other defensive players stand on each wing. See the diagram below.

To initiate the drill, the coach will take the shot. When the shot is taken, the defensive players must box out the offensive players. Once a defender grabs the rebound, that player must make an outlet pass to one of the players on the wing. The offensive players should contest the outlet pass. If the defense doesn’t grab the rebound or successfully make an outlet pass, then the ball goes back to the coach for another shot.

Once the outlet pass is made, all five players (the three in the triangle under the basket and the two outlet players) break up court and run a play. Once the play is completed, the drill is run again.

Coaching Points:

The coach should make sure the defensive players find a man and successfully box that man out. Players should go up strong for the rebound. Then a crisp outlet pass should be made.

The defensive players should be vocal, yelling out “Shot” and “Box Out” when the shot goes up. When they secure the rebound, the rebounder should yell “Ball” and the outlet man should yell “Outlet!” to receive the pass and begin the fast break.