Rebound to Outlet Gates

Fun game

Half-court transition: secure a contested rebound and find an outlet before the other pair can shut down the first pass.

10 min 4+ Half court
PassingTeamworkDefenseU12U14U16

Game guide

4+ · 1 ball, 1 hoop, half court, 2 colours of bibs, 4 flat markers

Get everyone ready

Two competing pairs, one waitingSix-player example: pairs P1–P2 and P3–P4 compete; P5–P6 wait off the sideline. P1 and P3 start on opposite blocks; P2 and P4 start on the wings. Mark two two-metre gates with four flat markers, one near each sideline about two metres inside halfway. Coach has the only ball off the sideline. 123456C

● Player / attack■ DefenceBlue: partner / outletGold: ballGreen C: coach

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Six-player example: pairs P1–P2 and P3–P4 compete; P5–P6 wait off the sideline. P1 and P3 start on opposite blocks; P2 and P4 start on the wings. Mark two two-metre gates with four flat markers, one near each sideline about two metres inside halfway. Coach has the only ball off the sideline.

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

Look for: Rebound with balance, then look outside the crowd.

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

Six-player example: pairs P1–P2 and P3–P4 compete; P5–P6 wait off the sideline. P1 and P3 start on opposite blocks; P2 and P4 start on the wings. Mark two two-metre gates with four flat markers, one near each sideline about two metres inside halfway. Coach has the only ball off the sideline.

  1. Coach tosses the ball off the backboard. P1 and P3 legally box out and compete for the rebound. The rebounder’s pair becomes offence; the other pair defends. The example shows P1 securing it.
  2. The outlet partner, P2 in the example, cuts toward either gate. P1 pivots to see the court and passes to the open receiver. P3 pressures the rebounder without contact and P4 denies the outlet; the receiver may change gates.
  3. Score one point for a controlled catch beyond a gate within five seconds. No shots and no dribbles in the base version. Stop on a score, interception, foul, ball out or five seconds. The ball-holder returns the only ball to the coach.
  4. Use a fixed pair rotation: A versus B, then B versus C, then C versus A. After the example, P1–P2 wait, P5 rebounds against P3, and P6 and P4 are the outlet players. Each pair swaps rebounder and outlet roles while waiting.
  5. Coach starts the next repetition only when both rebounders and receivers are set and the previous players have left by the sideline. With four players omit the queue and swap roles after every round. Add further pairs to the same waiting order.

Suggested reset

Use a fixed pair rotation: A versus B, then B versus C, then C versus A. After the example, P1–P2 wait, P5 rebounds against P3, and P6 and P4 are the outlet players. Each pair swaps rebounder and outlet roles while waiting. Coach starts the next repetition only when both rebounders and receivers are set and the previous players have left by the sideline. With four players omit the queue and swap roles after every round. Add further pairs to the same waiting order.

Coaching cues

  • Rebound with balance, then look outside the crowd.
  • Outlet receiver changes angle instead of hiding behind the defender.
  • The reward is a useful first pass, not simply throwing the ball away.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: Remove pressure on the rebounder and allow eight seconds.

Harder: Narrow the gates to one metre once passes are accurate; preserve legal spacing.

Equipment

1 ball, 1 hoop, half court, 2 colours of bibs, 4 flat markers

Setup

Six-player example: pairs P1–P2 and P3–P4 compete; P5–P6 wait off the sideline. P1 and P3 start on opposite blocks; P2 and P4 start on the wings. Mark two two-metre gates with four flat markers, one near each sideline about two metres inside halfway. Coach has the only ball off the sideline.

Steps

  1. 1Coach tosses the ball off the backboard. P1 and P3 legally box out and compete for the rebound. The rebounder’s pair becomes offence; the other pair defends. The example shows P1 securing it.
  2. 2The outlet partner, P2 in the example, cuts toward either gate. P1 pivots to see the court and passes to the open receiver. P3 pressures the rebounder without contact and P4 denies the outlet; the receiver may change gates.
  3. 3Score one point for a controlled catch beyond a gate within five seconds. No shots and no dribbles in the base version. Stop on a score, interception, foul, ball out or five seconds. The ball-holder returns the only ball to the coach.
  4. 4Use a fixed pair rotation: A versus B, then B versus C, then C versus A. After the example, P1–P2 wait, P5 rebounds against P3, and P6 and P4 are the outlet players. Each pair swaps rebounder and outlet roles while waiting.
  5. 5Coach starts the next repetition only when both rebounders and receivers are set and the previous players have left by the sideline. With four players omit the queue and swap roles after every round. Add further pairs to the same waiting order.

Coaching points

  • Rebound with balance, then look outside the crowd.
  • Outlet receiver changes angle instead of hiding behind the defender.
  • The reward is a useful first pass, not simply throwing the ball away.

Why kids love it

Pairs can win a point with a smart outlet even without being the strongest shooters.

Variations

Easier

Remove pressure on the rebounder and allow eight seconds.

Harder

Narrow the gates to one metre once passes are accurate; preserve legal spacing.

Related drills