Quick Pinch
Quick Pinch is a lightning-fast baseline out of bounds play for an open jumper off a tight stack screen.
A creative and chaotic 3-on-3 drill where each possession follows a new rule — helping players adapt, think, and develop versatile skills.
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.
Play standard live 3-on-3, but before each possession, call out a wildcard rule that both teams must follow. Examples include: no dribbling, must backcut, only layups, extra point for assists, or forced weak-hand drives. After the rule is announced, teams play out the possession normally.
The unpredictability forces players to think, communicate, and adjust on the fly. When rules change every possession, players must process information quickly, similar to the fast decision making in 3-on-3 Cutthroat. The variety of movement demands also mirror the spacing and cutting habits in 3-on-3 No Dribble.
Keep rounds short so players experience lots of different constraints. Rotate teams quickly to maintain tempo, much like the competitive flow of 3-on-3 Next Play Wins. Mix fun rules, technical rules, and competitive rules to keep players engaged.
• Add a new wildcard each possession
• Allow teams to choose the opponent’s wildcard rule
• Use themed rounds (passing, finishing, spacing, defense)
• Award bonus points for rule-specific actions
• Communicate the rule quickly before the possession
• Adapt immediately—no hesitation
• Keep spacing wide to support any constraint
• Make simple, fast decisions inside every rule
3-on-3 Wildcard Rules teaches adaptability, creativity, and communication in a fun, game-like format. Players learn to adjust their decisions based on changing constraints while still playing competitively. The 3-on-3 Wildcard Rules drill is an engaging way to build smarter, more flexible youth players.
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.
