Teach Dribble Hand-Off (DHO) Actions Like the Pros
Dribble Hand-Off (DHO) – Simplify Movement, Create Scoring Pressure
One of the most under-taught but effective actions in basketball is the Dribble Hand-Off (DHO).
It looks casual on the surface—a simple ball exchange between two teammates.
But done right, it’s a moving screen, misdirection, and trigger for multiple scoring options.
How to Coach the DHO in 30 Seconds
If you’re on the floor right now, here’s how to teach it in simple terms.
1. Set the Floor
Clear the ball-side of unnecessary traffic.
Place shooters or decoys on the weak side to pull defenders away.
Leave space for two players to work the hand-off.
2. Ball Handler’s Role
Attack downhill toward the receiver’s defender.
Keep the dribble alive until the hand-off is secure.
Make contact legally—this is your built-in moving screen.
3. Receiver’s Role
Change pace or fake before cutting to the ball.
Sprint tight off the ball handler’s body.
Make a read:
If defender chases over → Turn the corner and drive.
If defender goes under → Stop and shoot.
If defender switches → Attack the mismatch or hit the roller.
4. Don’t Stop After the Hand-Off
Ball handler rolls, pops, or re-screens—stay active.
Look for second chances if the first read isn’t there.
What Makes a Great DHO?
The DHO involves a ball handler dribbling toward a teammate and handing the ball off as that teammate curls around into a catch. It functions similarly to a pick-and-roll — but with a twist: the ball handler keeps possession while acting as a moving screen.
A well-run DHO puts the on-ball defender in a bind:
Fight over and risk trailing the action.
Go under and give up a jumper.
Switch and potentially create a mismatch.
The beauty? Because the handler still controls the ball, there’s no risk of an illegal screen. It’s clean, fast, and devastating when run with speed and purpose.
Step-by-Step Breakdown for Coaches
1. Establish Proper Spacing
You can’t run a DHO in traffic. The action thrives when the ball-side is cleared out and help defenders are occupied or stretched.
Key spacing rules:
Weak side should be filled with shooters or decoys.
Avoid crowding the ball-side lane.
The DHO pair should operate in space — ideally one side of the floor.
Spacing is the first trigger. Without it, defenders collapse too easily, and you lose the misdirection advantage.
2. Teach the “Head Hunt” Angle
Too many players drift laterally toward the hand-off. That’s not a DHO — that’s a handout. Elite execution demands aggression.
Train your ball handler to:
Drive directly into the defender guarding the receiver.
Keep their dribble alive and their body engaged — this is your legal screen.
Create physical pressure without fouling — chest to chest.
The goal is to force the defender into a decision point: get caught in the screen, go under, or switch uncomfortably.
3. Receiver Movement Is Key
The receiver can’t be flat-footed. Timing and pace determine whether the DHO becomes a scoring opportunity or just a reset.
The receiver must:
Use a change of pace or jab step to create a window.
Sprint into the catch at full speed.
Read the defender: if they’re behind, turn the corner; if they go under, stop and shoot; if they switch, exploit the mismatch.
The best DHO receivers act like they’re coming off a pin-down — full speed, sharp cut, shoulder tight to the hand-off.
4. Follow with a Second Action
One of the most overlooked aspects of the DHO is what comes next. The ball handler is not done after the hand-off.
Depending on how the defense reacts, the original handler should:
Roll to the rim for a potential layup or dump-off.
Pop to space for a return pass and open shot.
Rescreen to create another advantage.
This second action punishes defenders who overhelp or switch lazily. It also keeps your offense in motion without resetting.
Why DHO Beats Pick-and-Roll in Certain Contexts
While the pick-and-roll is a staple at every level, the DHO has key advantages, especially for teams with pace, movement shooters, or undersized bigs.
Advantages:
It’s faster. No need to “set it up” — it flows naturally.
Fewer illegal screen risks. Because the ball is live, there’s more leeway in contact.
More unpredictable. DHOs can occur from multiple alignments — top, wing, corner — without telegraphing intent.
Easier for guards. You can keep the ball in the hands of your best playmakers without isolating them early.
For teams without dominant post presence or strong screen-setters, the DHO becomes an essential read-and-react tool.
Reinforcing the Skill: Drills to Use
Drill 1: Dummy Defender DHO
Purpose: Train proper angles and receiver timing.
Set up a cone or coach as the defender.
Ball handler must dribble directly at the dummy.
Receiver sets up cut, then sprints into catch and finishes.
Emphasize reading the defender — pause, pull-up, drive.
Run this from both wings and top of the key to build versatility.
Drill 2: Live 2-on-2 DHO
Purpose: Game-speed decision making.
Pair up 2 offensive and 2 defensive players.
Run a DHO on the wing or slot.
Allow defense to fight over, go under, or switch.
Offense must read and attack based on the reaction.
This drill builds chemistry between the ball handler and receiver, while also exposing live reads.
Common Mistakes to Eliminate
Drifting Lateral on the Dribble
Avoid soft side-to-side dribbles. The DHO should look like an attack, not a pass.
Stationary Receiver
The DHO fails if the receiver isn’t in motion. Jogging into the hand-off lets the defense recover.
Ignoring Second Actions
Too often, players relax after the hand-off. Keep moving. The next screen or cut is often what gets the bucket.
Poor Spacing
Even a perfect DHO won’t work if three teammates are clogging the lane. Always check your spacing before the action begins.
Why the DHO Works at Every Level
From youth leagues to the pros, the DHO is scalable.
Youth: Teaches timing, cutting, and simple reads.
High School: Creates movement and involvement without complex plays.
College/Pro: Weaponizes speed and confusion — especially vs switching defenses.
It’s also an action that builds chemistry — both players must sync their timing, vision, and pace.
Final Thoughts
The Dribble Hand-Off is not just a gimmick. It’s a foundational action that unlocks space, forces decisions, and fuels offensive flow.
When you teach it with intention — emphasizing angles, pace, spacing, and follow-up actions — you give your players a simple but deadly tool. And when executed at speed with purpose, the DHO becomes a nightmare to guard.
Train it. Drill it. Weaponize it.
