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3-on-3 No Dribble

A no-dribble 3-on-3 drill that builds spacing, cutting, and team play by forcing players to rely on passing and off-ball movement.

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

Play live 3-on-3 with one rule: no dribbling allowed. Offense must cut, screen, relocate, and pass to create advantages. Start each possession with a coach pass or a simple check at the top. Players should move immediately on every pass—either cutting through, filling open space, or relocating to create the next passing angle.

Because players cannot dribble out of trouble, they must learn to read defenders early and move with purpose. This leads to natural spacing patterns similar to 3-on-3 Pass, Cut & Replace, where timing and movement create scoring opportunities. If the offense forces a bad pass or hesitation, the defense can take advantage.

Rotate teams quickly to keep the pace high. As the game flows, encourage players to use more screening actions and purposeful cuts. This game pairs well with competitive formats like 3-on-3 Cutthroat, and it reinforces the same paint-touch emphasis seen in 3-on-3 Must Touch the Paint.

Progression Or Variation

• Add a mandatory screen before each possession
• Require a paint touch before shooting
• Limit possessions to five seconds
• Award bonus points for assisted baskets

Coaching Points

• Cut hard and fill space with purpose
• Stay wide to create clean passing angles
• Catch on two feet and read before passing
• Communicate early to support quick decisions

Why This Drill Works

3-on-3 No Dribble forces players to develop real offensive habits—cutting, spacing, timing, and teamwork. Without the dribble as a safety valve, players learn to think ahead and move the ball with intent. The 3-on-3 No Dribble drill is an effective way to build smarter, more connected offensive play in youth basketball.d developing team IQ.

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.

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