Give and Go

🎒 Gear Needed: 1 x basketball, partner, 1 ring
⏱ Suggested Time: 5 - 10 minutes
👥 Participants: Partner (Passer/Cutter and Wing Feeder)
📍 Space: Backyard / Half-Court
📊 Difficulty: Beginner

📝 Instructions

1. Setup: Player A starts at the top of the key holding a basketball. Player B sets up on the right wing, roughly 5 metres from the ring.
2. The Give (Pass): Player A steps into a crisp chest pass to Player B on the wing.
3. Change of Pace & The Go (Cut): The instant the basketball leaves Player A’s fingertips, Player A performs a sharp change of direction: they make a jab step away to sell an outside cut, then explode with a lightning-fast cut down the centre of the key straight to the ring.
4. Target Hand Presentation: As Player A cuts past the free-throw line, they extend their inside hand toward Player B, creating a clear, high-percentage passing target.
5. The Return Delivery: Player B receives the initial pass, squares to the ring, and delivers an immediate bounce pass leading Player A in stride into the key.
6. Finish at the Ring: Player A catches the bounce pass on both feet (jump stop) or in stride (1-2 stop) and finishes with a controlled layup off the backboard into the ring.
7. Rotate: Player A rebounds their shot and slides out to the wing; Player B moves to the top of the key to execute the next repetition. Complete 10 cuts from the right wing, then switch to the left wing.

💡 Coaching Cues

• Pass and Cut Instantly: Never admire your pass or stand frozen at the top of the key; the moment the ball is airborne, your feet must explode into your cut toward the ring.
• Change of Pace and Angle: Sell a fake step away from the ring before cutting; accelerating from slow to fast catches defenders completely off-balance.
• Give a Clear Target Hand: Extend your lead hand with fingers spread wide toward the passer, showing exactly where you want the basketball placed.
• Lead with the Bounce Pass: The wing feeder must lead the cutting player with a sharp bounce pass that hits them right in stride, avoiding high floating passes that allow defenders to recover.

🔄 Variations & Progressions

• Make It Easier: Walk through the cut and pass at half-speed with cones marking the top of the key, wing, and layup release point.
• Make It Harder: Add a live defender guarding Player A at the top of the key; Player A must read the defender’s hips and execute a front cut or backdoor cut to the ring based on defensive pressure.