3-on-2 Continuous

Scrimmage/finisher

Attack a numbers advantage and then transition to defence.

12 min 6+ Full court
PassingTeamworkU12U14U16

Read & react

6+ · 1 ball, full court

Get everyone ready

Nine players · both end queues · one ball1–3 attack 4–5 at the top basket. 6–7 wait outside that baseline area; 8–9 wait at the opposite end. Coach keeps the outside return paths clear. 123456789

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

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Three attackers vs two defenders. New players wait on the baseline.

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

Look for: Move the ball ahead quickly.

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

Three attackers vs two defenders. New players wait on the baseline.

  1. Three attack the two defenders and try to score quickly.
  2. On a make or defensive rebound, the two defenders + one new player break the other way.
  3. The player who shot and the next player off the baseline sprint back to defend.
  4. Keep it flowing continuously.

Suggested reset

After a make or defensive rebound, the two defenders and the next waiting player attack the other end. The shooter and the next baseline player defend. Retrieve the same ball before the outlet; coach pauses if the next five roles are not clear. Waiting players stay beyond the baseline, clear of the finish.

Coaching cues

  • Move the ball ahead quickly.
  • Fill the lanes — wide and deep.
  • Talk on defence and take away the middle.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: Reset after each possession instead of continuous.

Harder: Add a trailer so it becomes 4-on-3 coming back the other way.

3-on-2, 2-on-1: Run the classic full version: the two defenders break back as a pair against the shooter alone.

What this drill teaches

Fast-break decisions with no pause button. The continuous format means every player attacks, defends and sprints back within seconds — advantage basketball on one end and scramble defence on the other, over and over.

In games: Builds the two transition habits games reward most: attacking a numbers advantage before it evaporates, and sprinting back after your own shot instead of admiring it.

What good looks like
  • The ball moving ahead by the pass, wide lanes filled
  • The shooter turning and sprinting back without being told
  • Defenders talking and protecting the middle two-on-three

U12: reset between possessions while the pattern settles. U16: expect the continuous version to flow for minutes, plus the classic 3-on-2 into 2-on-1.

Equipment

1 ball, full court

Setup

Three attackers vs two defenders. New players wait on the baseline.

Steps

  1. 1Three attack the two defenders and try to score quickly.
  2. 2On a make or defensive rebound, the two defenders + one new player break the other way.
  3. 3The player who shot and the next player off the baseline sprint back to defend.
  4. 4Keep it flowing continuously.

Coaching points

  • Move the ball ahead quickly.
  • Fill the lanes — wide and deep.
  • Talk on defence and take away the middle.

Why kids love it

Non-stop action and constant decisions — it feels like a real game and conditions at the same time.

Variations

Easier

Reset after each possession instead of continuous.

Harder

Add a trailer so it becomes 4-on-3 coming back the other way.

3-on-2, 2-on-1

Run the classic full version: the two defenders break back as a pair against the shooter alone.

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill