U12 Basketball Curriculum

L-Cut Perimeter Footwork

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tagsdrill, footwork, by-yourself, with-partner, half-court, intermediate

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L-Cut Perimeter Footwork

🎒 Gear Needed: 1 x basketball, 2 cones, 1 ring, 1 partner (or passer) ⏱ Suggested Time: 5 - 10 minutes 👥 Participants: 1-2 players (Solo or with-partner) 📍 Space: Half-court 📊 Difficulty: Intermediate

📝 Instructions

  1. Position one cone on the low block along the key line and a second cone at the high elbow (where the free-throw line meets the key line).
  2. The passer (or partner) starts with the basketball at the top of the key. (If training solo, self-toss with backspin to the wing).
  3. The cutter starts on the low block facing the passer.
  4. Walk your defender straight up the key lane line from the low block to the elbow cone, keeping your body engaged with the defender’s hip.
  5. As you arrive at the elbow, plant your top foot (closest to the free-throw line) hard into the court, drop your hips, and seal the imaginary defender behind your back.
  6. Make a sharp 90-degree lateral cut exploding straight out toward the 3-point wing line, tracing an uppercase “L” shape.
  7. Present two open target hands away from the defender to receive the pass on the perimeter.
  8. Catch on a balanced jump stop landing on both feet or a 1-2 stride stop, square your shoulders to the ring in Triple Threat stance, and either shoot or drive to the ring.
  9. Perform 8 cuts from the right side of the key, then 8 cuts from the left side.

💡 Coaching Cues

  • Tight 90-Degree Cut: Do not round off your turn into a soft arc; make a crisp right-angle plant at the elbow to leave the defender trailing.
  • Top-Foot Plant: Plant the foot nearest the free-throw line firmly to create maximum braking force before pushing laterally to the wing.
  • Catch Ready to Attack: Land balanced with your knees flexed, ready to instantly shoot, pass, or attack the key off the catch.

🔄 Variations & Progressions

  • Make It Easier: Walk through the L-path slowly to master the foot planting sequence at the elbow before running at full game speed.
  • Make It Harder: If the defender overplays and shoots the passing lane to the wing, execute a backdoor cut: plant your outside foot and sprint straight along the baseline to the ring for a bounce pass and layup.

📺 Video Demonstration