Eleven-Man Transition

Scrimmage/finisher

Read a continuous 3-on-2 advantage, secure the ball and organise the next wave.

16 min 11+ Full court
PassingTeamworkU14U16

Read & react

11+ · 1 ball, full court

Get everyone ready

All 11 players · one ball1–3 attack the top basket. 4–5 defend there; 8–9 defend the far end. 6–7 and 10–11 wait at the four sideline outlet spots. Blue circles mark the waiting outlets. 1234567891011

● Player / attack■ DefenceBlue: partner / outletGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Use eleven players: three attackers at halfway, two defenders at each basket and one outlet waiting outside each of the four sideline outlet spots. One ball. Extra players queue behind the outlets, clear of running routes.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Spread into three separate lanes and read the two defenders.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Use eleven players: three attackers at halfway, two defenders at each basket and one outlet waiting outside each of the four sideline outlet spots. One ball. Extra players queue behind the outlets, clear of running routes.

  1. The three attackers play 3-on-2 for one shot. Whoever controls the rebound after a make or miss becomes the next ball-winner; a steal also starts the next wave.
  2. The ball-winner passes to a sideline outlet. That player, the opposite outlet and the ball-winner attack the other basket as the next three.
  3. The four players left behind call their next roles: two defend that basket and two fill the vacated outlet spots. Coach resolves any confusion before play continues. Keep player numbers unchanged.
  4. At the far basket, repeat: one shot, ball-winner plus two outlets leave, four remaining players split into two defenders and two outlets. Stop if a ball goes out or the lanes are not ready; restart with the same ball.

Suggested reset

The ball-winner plus both sideline outlets attack the other end with the same ball. The four left behind split into two defenders and two outlets. Keep player numbers unchanged. Coach stops the drill if lanes or roles are not ready, or the ball goes out; restart with the same ball.

Coaching cues

  • Spread into three separate lanes and read the two defenders.
  • Secure the rebound before looking for the outlet.
  • Call the new defensive and outlet roles immediately; keep waiting players outside the sideline.

Adapt the challenge

Teaching pace: Freeze after each rebound to confirm the next three attackers, two defenders and two outlets.

More players: Add equal queues behind the four outlets; returning players join the back.

Fewer than eleven: Choose a separate small-sided transition drill; this continuous full-court setup needs eleven roles.

What this drill teaches

Continuous 3-on-2 waves: the ball-winner and two sideline outlets attack the opposite basket. The four players left behind become two defenders and two outlets.

In games: Builds outlet decisions, wide transition lanes and quick role communication after one shot.

What good looks like
  • One controlled shot, followed by a secure rebound or made-ball retrieval
  • The same ball travels with the rebounder and both outlets
  • Four remaining players clearly claim two defensive and two outlet roles

U14: walk through the eleven roles and freeze after each rebound. U16: increase pace only when both ends consistently reset without confusion.

Equipment

1 ball, full court

Setup

Use eleven players: three attackers at halfway, two defenders at each basket and one outlet waiting outside each of the four sideline outlet spots. One ball. Extra players queue behind the outlets, clear of running routes.

Steps

  1. 1The three attackers play 3-on-2 for one shot. Whoever controls the rebound after a make or miss becomes the next ball-winner; a steal also starts the next wave.
  2. 2The ball-winner passes to a sideline outlet. That player, the opposite outlet and the ball-winner attack the other basket as the next three.
  3. 3The four players left behind call their next roles: two defend that basket and two fill the vacated outlet spots. Coach resolves any confusion before play continues. Keep player numbers unchanged.
  4. 4At the far basket, repeat: one shot, ball-winner plus two outlets leave, four remaining players split into two defenders and two outlets. Stop if a ball goes out or the lanes are not ready; restart with the same ball.

Coaching points

  • Spread into three separate lanes and read the two defenders.
  • Secure the rebound before looking for the outlet.
  • Call the new defensive and outlet roles immediately; keep waiting players outside the sideline.

Why kids love it

Every rebound starts a new attacking group and keeps the whole team involved.

Variations

Teaching pace

Freeze after each rebound to confirm the next three attackers, two defenders and two outlets.

More players

Add equal queues behind the four outlets; returning players join the back.

Fewer than eleven

Choose a separate small-sided transition drill; this continuous full-court setup needs eleven roles.

Related drills