Around the Cones Transition Drill: Build Speed, Spacing, and Finishing in Transition Offense
Goal:
The Around the Cones Transition Drill is designed to simulate and practice key aspects of transition offense and defense. This drill helps players develop the ability to quickly convert in transition, while also practicing how to defend in transition situations. By emphasizing timing, decision-making, and teamwork, this drill prepares players for the fast-paced nature of the game.
Setup:
Cone Placement:
Place 3 cones in a straight line at the top of the key. The first cone should be at the top of the key, with the remaining two cones placed evenly at the wing spots.
Player Setup:
Line up 3 players on the baseline. The player in the outside line starts with the ball.
Step-by-Step Execution:
Progression 1: 2v1
Live Play: The drill begins when the player with the ball (Player 1) starts dribbling.
Sprint Around Cones: All 3 players (the ball handler and the two defenders) sprint around their respective cones in front of them. Player 1 dribbles while the others move around their cones.
Transition to 2v1: After circling the cones, the play transitions into a live 2v1 situation where the ball handler (Player 1) attacks against x1, the single defender.
Progression 2: 2v1 + Trail D
Add a Second Defender: A second defender (x2) is introduced. This defender starts from a new defensive line closer to half-court.
Cone Movement: Players continue to sprint around their cones, but now x2 applies pressure after Player 1 transitions past the cones.
2v1 + Trail D: The offensive team now faces 2 defenders in the form of x1 and x2, requiring more strategy and decision-making to finish the transition play.
Progression 3: 2v1 + Trail D Pass
Coach’s Role: In this variation, the coach passes the ball to one of the offensive players after they’ve circled the cones. This simulates a real transition scenario where the player receives a pass in stride while moving quickly up the floor.
Attack After Pass: The offensive players attack immediately after receiving the pass, looking to score or set up a quick play.
Coaching Tips:
Use Inside Hand for Dribbling:
The player with the ball must dribble with their inside hand. This reduces the chances of a defender (x1) deflecting the ball. The inside hand keeps the ball protected and allows for quicker decisions.
One Shot, One Pass:
The offense should only take one shot and make one pass. This emphasizes the importance of making quick decisions in transition before the defense can recover.
Defender’s Priority - Protect the Rim:
The defending players must work hard to get back to the front of the rim. Their job is to prevent an easy layup by forcing the offense into a tougher shot.
Stunting to Create Indecision:
Encourage defenders to stunt at the ball handler (fake at the dribbler) to create hesitation and indecision. This helps disrupt the flow of the offense and causes the offensive player to think longer before attacking.
Attack Until the Defender Gets Between:
Offensive players should attack the basket until the defender (x1) gets between them and the rim. At this point, they should pass to the open teammate. The offensive player should read the defender’s position and make the pass when the defender is no longer in a position to stop the drive.
Full Breakdown:
The Around the Cones Transition Drill is an effective way to work on transition offense and defense in a controlled, yet game-like environment. It prepares players to read the defense, make quick decisions, and transition smoothly from defense to offense and vice versa.
One of the key takeaways from this drill is that timing is everything in transition. The offense must be able to execute quickly, but also with precision. Players should be able to read the defense, whether it’s a 2v1 situation or an 2v1 with trail defenders, and adjust their approach based on the defense’s positioning. The defenders, on the other hand, must focus on getting back quickly and contesting the shot at the rim while being mindful of their coverage responsibilities.
Another important aspect of this drill is the passing and ball-handling technique. Offense and defense in transition often involve making quick passes, so it’s crucial for players to be comfortable receiving and making passes on the move. Players should practice catching passes while moving up the floor, making crisp passes, and handling the ball in pressure situations.
The staggered progression of this drill – from the initial 2v1 to adding trail defenders and passes – builds up to simulate various transition situations that can happen in a real game. Coaches can tweak this drill to fit their team’s needs, whether it's improving ball-handling, decision-making under pressure, or getting the defense to collapse quicker.
