Cone Combo Attack
String combination moves together attacking a cone like a live defender, then finish.
What this drill teaches
Turning tricks into attacks. Chaining two moves at a cone — a setup to sell, a counter to escape, then two hard dribbles and a finish — bridges the gap between stationary handles and actually beating a set defender.
In games: Fixes the player whose fancy dribbling never goes anywhere on game day — moves become a means to get past someone and score, not a performance on the spot.
- Real change of speed: slow into the cone, explosive out
- Ball kept low and tight through the combo
- A committed finish every rep — layup, floater or pull-up
U12: one move at the cone is plenty — chaining two comes later. U14–U16: add a token defender and expect the combo to genuinely change their feet.
Equipment
1 ball each, cones
Setup
A cone at the wing or top; players line up to attack it.
Steps
- 1Attack the cone at game speed.
- 2Combo move at the cone: hesitation into a crossover, or cross into between-the-legs.
- 3Explode past into two hard dribbles.
- 4Finish with a layup, floater or pull-up.
Coaching points
- Sell the setup move before the counter.
- Change speed — slow, then explosive.
- Keep the ball tight and low through the combo.
Why kids love it
Bridges stationary handles to real attacking — combining moves is what beats set defenders.
Variations
Add a live, token defender at the cone.
Use one move at the cone instead of chaining two.
Place a second cone two metres behind the first and make the finish depend on which side you cleared.