How to Handle and Attack Double Teams
Setup: Why Teach Double-Team Handling?
Double teams are a staple of aggressive defenses at the youth and high school levels. Whether it's full-court pressure or a trap on the wing, players need the skills to stay calm, read the floor, and make smart plays.
This breakdown offers a step-by-step progression for coaches to implement in practices, focusing on key fundamentals like spacing, body control, and vision.
Execution: 5 Core Skills to Beat a Double Team
1. Protect the Basketball
Emphasize body positioning: keep the ball tight to the chest or hip, not out in front.
Teach players to protect the ball with their body—shoulder, knee, and off-hand all help form a shield.
Avoid turning the back to the defense; always stay square and aware.
Drill Idea: Live trapping drill with a coach and two defenders simulating pressure. Player works on securing the ball and pivoting to create visibility.
2. Establish a Strong, Wide Base
Encourage a stance with feet shoulder-width apart or wider.
Stay low with a firm center of gravity—this helps absorb contact and improves balance.
Players must avoid narrow, upright stances that make them vulnerable to travel calls or turnovers.
Coaching Cue: "Stay low, stay strong." Repeat until it becomes second nature.
3. Use the Pivot and Step-Through
Teach players how to pivot effectively to create passing angles.
Step through gaps in the double team to make clean, powerful passes.
Use ball fakes to manipulate defenders before the step-through.
Drill Idea: Trap and pivot station: set up two defenders on a ball handler and allow the offensive player to read, fake, and step through while staying in triple threat.
4. Escape Dribble for Separation
The escape dribble is a controlled, backward or sideways dribble to pull the trap away from teammates.
Emphasize taking two hard dribbles back, keeping vision up, and scanning for passing targets.
Avoid the mistake of dribbling immediately on the catch—this often traps the player faster.
Drill Idea: Simulate wing traps. On the catch, player waits, uses escape dribble, and looks to hit a flashing teammate.
5. Make the Right Read and Pass
Every double team means someone is open.
Teach players to read the rotating defense and identify the open teammate.
Emphasize making the "one more" pass to punish the rotation.
Coaching Tip: Use phrases like "See the help, find the outlet" or "Beat the trap with vision, not panic."
Situational Focus: Where Double Teams Happen Most
Sideline Traps
Players are vulnerable near the sideline and corner.
Teach them to recognize these danger zones and avoid getting pinned.
Emphasize skip passes or reversing the ball to stretch the trap.
Backcourt Pressure
In full-court traps, stress patience. Don’t dribble into corners.
Use the middle of the floor. Have players flash and space properly.
Half-Court Traps
Wing traps are common out of zone defenses. Reps here help players anticipate.
Work on high-IQ spacing and short corner flashers to give options.
Coaching Tips for Youth and High School Coaches
Don’t teach panic: Help players slow the game down by giving them a mental checklist: Protect, pivot, escape, pass.
Design your drills to mimic chaos: Simulate real traps. Create pressure in practice so they stay composed in games.
Use reps and role play: Let players rotate into different roles: trapped, helper, and passer. It builds empathy and understanding.
Bonus Drill: Trap & Flash
Setup:
Player catches the ball near the sideline. Two defenders trap.
A coach or teammate flashes to open space.
Objective:
Player uses pivot or escape dribble, sees the flash, and delivers an accurate pass under pressure.
Focus:
Eyes up under pressure
Quick decision-making
On-time, on-target passing
Final Word: Build Confidence Against Pressure
Youth basketball drills that focus on handling traps aren’t just about skill—they build poise, confidence, and control. By training players how to read the floor, protect the ball, and beat double teams with smart spacing and decisive action, you give them an edge in any pressure situation.
Keep it simple. Rep it often. And always reward the right read.
For more basketball practice ideas, offensive plays for basketball, and coaching tips for beginners, stay tuned to our coaching library.
