3-Player Pick-and-Roll Warmup
👥 Players:
3 players per group, starting on the baseline (endline).
🔁 Drill Sequence
Inbound & Advance
Player 1 inbounds the ball to Player 2.
Player 2 passes ahead to Player 3.
All three players advance up the court together, filling lanes.
Turn and Setup at 3-Point Arc
Once they reach the top of the key or just beyond the arc, the group turns back toward the basket and sets up for a 3-man pick-and-roll sequence.
Players quickly space out:
One becomes the ball-handler.
One becomes the screener.
The third becomes the spacer or corner shooter.
Run the Pick-and-Roll
The ball-handler uses the screen and reads the defense (imaginary or light passive D).
They choose the best option:
Hit the roller diving to the rim.
Pull up and shoot.
Kick to the spot-up player if help rotates.
Finish and Rotate
After the finish (layup, shot, or pass), the players reset to the baseline and rotate roles:
The roller becomes the next passer.
The passer becomes the spot-up player.
The spot-up becomes the next screener or initiator.
🎯 Why It Works:
Simulates game flow: advancing the ball, reversing direction, and triggering offense.
Reps multiple pick-and-roll outcomes: roller, pull-up, or kick-out.
Emphasizes timing and movement: not just static drills, but real motion.
Great warmup: light full-court jog turns into game-action half-court work.
In youth basketball, teaching players how to execute the pick-and-roll is essential. It’s one of the most fundamental and widely-used actions in the game—from the NBA to middle school gyms. But teaching it well means more than just showing a play; it requires repetition, timing, movement, and reads.
This 3-player pick-and-roll warmup drill is a perfect way to introduce and reinforce those skills in a way that's fluid, engaging, and game-like. It’s more than a warmup—it’s a foundational piece of your practice plan.
🏀 Drill Overview
This youth basketball pick-and-roll drill involves three players working together, starting from the baseline, passing up the floor, and then turning around at the 3-point arc to run a pick-and-roll with multiple decision-making options.
It teaches:
Ball movement
Screen setting and usage
Roll reads
Spacing
Decision-making under movement
And because players rotate through all positions, it ensures everyone learns every role in the action—not just the point guard or the big.
🔧 Drill Setup
Players: 3 per group
Location: Full court or half-court
Equipment: 1 basketball
Goal: Build rhythm and understanding in pick-and-roll situations
🔁 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Start at the Baseline
All three players begin on the endline under the basket. The drill starts with a basic inbound and full-court progression.
Player 1 inbounds the ball to Player 2.
Player 2 quickly passes ahead to Player 3.
All three players jog or run up the floor together, spacing out in lanes.
This builds early habits in transition passing, communication, and spacing—crucial at every level of basketball.
2. Turn and Reset at the Arc
Once the players reach around the 3-point line or top of the key, they turn back toward the basket.
They quickly organize into a pick-and-roll setup:
Player 1 becomes the ball-handler.
Player 2 sets the screen.
Player 3 spaces out to the corner or wing as a spot-up threat.
3. Execute the Pick-and-Roll
From there, run a live-action pick-and-roll sequence:
The ball-handler uses the screen and dribbles into space.
The screener rolls to the hoop after contact.
The ball-handler must decide:
Pass to the roller for a layup
Pull up and shoot
Kick out to the corner shooter
Players are encouraged to mix up their decisions every rep to mimic real game situations. Coaches can layer in guided choices: “this time, pass to the roller,” “this time, shoot it,” etc.
🔁 Role Rotation
After the rep:
The shooter goes to the passer line
The passer becomes the screener
The screener becomes the new ball-handler
This natural rotation ensures players learn:
How to handle the ball in a pick-and-roll
How to properly set and roll from a screen
How to space and shoot as a spot-up option
This makes it one of the most well-rounded youth basketball drills you can run.
🎯 Coaching Tips
Emphasize proper screen angles: Screener should be square and stationary, not slipping too early.
Teach game-speed decisions: Don’t let players slow down—get them reading quickly.
Reinforce spacing: The third player should pull a defender away, not crowd the action.
Start simple, then add complexity: Let them get reps without defense, then add a soft defender on the ball or hedge.
🧠 Why This Drill Works for Youth Players
This isn’t just a warmup—it’s a skill-building circuit disguised as a flow drill.
Here’s why it’s ideal for younger players:
✅ Builds Offensive IQ
Kids don’t just memorize a pattern—they learn how to react, when to pass, and how to find the open man.
✅ Encourages Movement & Communication
Instead of standing in lines, players are constantly moving, calling for the ball, and adjusting.
✅ Works for Any Skill Level
Beginners learn spacing and roles. More advanced players can work on reads, hesitations, and footwork off the screen.
✅ Teaches All 3 Roles
Too often, only point guards learn pick-and-roll reads. This drill lets everyone handle the ball, screen, roll, and space.
🔄 Optional Drill Variations
Want to dial it up or add more challenge? Try these:
Add a coach or defender to pressure the ball-handler.
Time the drill to simulate shot clock scenarios.
Let the third player cut or backdoor instead of spotting up.
Require the ball-handler to use a specific move (e.g. snake dribble, in-and-out).
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🏁 Final Thoughts
This 3-player pick-and-roll warmup is more than just a start-of-practice routine—it's a teaching tool that builds core habits your team will use in every game.
By starting from the baseline and flowing into a decision-heavy action like the pick-and-roll, you’re training players to think, move, and execute like real hoopers. It’s structured but creative. Repetitive but game-like.
Whether you're coaching a 5th grade rec team or a high school JV squad, this drill belongs in your rotation.
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