2-on-2

Scrimmage/finisher

Play with a partner — screen, cut, and help on defence.

12 min groups of 4 Half court
DefenseTeamworkU10U12U14U16

Game guide

groups of 4 · 1 ball, half court

Get everyone ready

Two on two — spread outSpace wide so one defender can't guard both of you. 12X1X2

● Player / attack■ DefenceGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Two vs two, half court, winner stays on.

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

Look for: Move after you pass.

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

Two vs two, half court, winner stays on.

  1. Play live 2-on-2; use a pass and a cut before shooting.
  2. Try a simple give-and-go or on-ball screen.
  3. On defence, talk and help each other.
  4. Games to 3 baskets, then rotate.

Suggested reset

Secure the same ball after a basket, turnover or ball out and restart with the agreed possession rules. Reset any per-possession passing requirement. Rotate waiting players or teams between possessions at the agreed score or time, with a fresh check or inbound after the substitution.

Coaching cues

  • Move after you pass.
  • Set and use a real screen.
  • Defence: 'ball!' and 'help!' — talk.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Must use a screen before a shot counts.

Easier: Take the screens out and score only off a give-and-go for the first few possessions.

Screen or Cut: Every possession must include either an on-ball screen or a hard basket cut before a shot counts.

What this drill teaches

Two-player basketball conversations: the screen, the cut, and the help. With only four on the floor there's nowhere to hide and constant touches, so cooperation gets learned by necessity rather than by lecture.

In games: Bridges the gap between skills and team play — the give-and-go, the screen, and the 'help!' call practised here are the exact building blocks of every 5-on-5 possession.

What good looks like
  • Passers moving immediately — cutting or screening, never standing
  • Screens actually set with a stop, not drive-by fakes
  • Defenders talking — 'ball', 'help', 'screen' out loud

U10: give-and-go only — screens come later and that's fine. U14–U16: expect real screens used properly and defenders helping and recovering.

Equipment

1 ball, half court

Setup

Two vs two, half court, winner stays on.

Steps

  1. 1Play live 2-on-2; use a pass and a cut before shooting.
  2. 2Try a simple give-and-go or on-ball screen.
  3. 3On defence, talk and help each other.
  4. 4Games to 3 baskets, then rotate.

Coaching points

  • Move after you pass.
  • Set and use a real screen.
  • Defence: 'ball!' and 'help!' — talk.

Why kids love it

Small-sided means everyone touches it a lot, and two-player teamwork clicks fast.

Variations

Harder

Must use a screen before a shot counts.

Easier

Take the screens out and score only off a give-and-go for the first few possessions.

Screen or Cut

Every possession must include either an on-ball screen or a hard basket cut before a shot counts.

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill