Introduction

Everything starts from a standard 3-on-3 Cutthroat setup. You can view the full breakdown of 3-on-3 Cutthroat by clicking here or by watching the video below. Once you are familiar with the drill, you can then add this variation to your daily practices.

How it Works

Start from a standard 3-on-3 Cutthroat setup.

• THERE MUST BE AN ENTRY PASS TO INITIATE THE OFFENSE
• On the pass to the perimeter, each defender must sprint out and close out to their matchup.
• As soon as the closeouts are made, the drill goes live into 3-on-3.
• Offense plays freely; defense must scramble, communicate, and rotate.
• Reset after each possession and rotate roles.

Progression/Variation

• Make closeouts uneven (e.g., one defender farther away to simulate help recovery).
• Add a rule: offense must attack within 3 seconds of the catch.
• Award extra points for forcing turnovers or shot clock violations.
• Run multiple possessions in a row to build conditioning under pressure.

Coaching Points

• Emphasize short choppy steps on closeouts — avoid overcommitting.
• Teach defenders to contest without fouling and recover quickly on drives.
• Focus on team communication during switches and scrambles.
• Great drill for building transition defense instincts and controlled aggression.

Why This Drill Works

This drill combines two critical defensive skills: the closeout and the scramble. It simulates real-game scenarios where defenders must recover and rotate on the fly. Great for building defensive toughness, communication, and confidence in chaotic situations.

Want to See More 3-on-3 Cutthroat Variations?

3-on-3 Cutthroat is one of our absolute favorite small-sided practice drills. It can be tweaked infinitely to teach specific game-like skills. Click here to see all 11 variations of 3-on-3 Cutthroat that you can add to your practices today.