V-Cut to Get Open
Get open on the wing with a sharp V-cut.
What this drill teaches
Getting open as a skill in itself. The V shape works because of the sell — taking the defender in toward the basket before planting and exploding out — so players learn that a catch is earned before the pass is thrown.
In games: Fixes the player who never touches the ball — and stops the five-second calls and throw-aways that happen when nobody on the wing can shake free.
- A genuine walk-in before the cut, not a token step
- A hard plant and a sharp change of direction
- Target hand up, coming to meet the pass, catching in triple threat
U10: walk the V with no defender — rounded, lazy cuts are normal at first. U14–U16: expect sharp cuts against live denial and one hard dribble at the rim after every catch.
Equipment
1 ball, 1 hoop, chair/cone
Setup
A passer at the top, and a chair or cone on the wing as the defender with the player starting beside it.
Steps
- 1Walk in toward the basket past the chair, as if taking your defender with you.
- 2Plant hard and cut back out above the chair to the wing in a 'V'.
- 3Show a target hand and call for the ball.
- 4Catch in triple threat, ready to attack.
Coaching points
- Sell the cut in before you come out.
- Plant and change direction sharply.
- Come to meet the pass.
Why kids love it
Kids who can't get open touch the ball less — this fixes it fast.
Variations
Add a defender who tries to deny.
Walk the V slowly with no defender and just hold the target hand up on the catch.
Every catch must end in one hard dribble at the rim so the cut leads somewhere.