Introduction

If you want players who actually know how to use ball screens and dribble handoffs — not just go through the motions — you need to rep it.
A lot.

But reps don’t have to be boring.
In fact, if you do it right, you can teach ball screens, handoffs, and finishing with energy and decision-making built into every rep.

In this breakdown, we’ll cover a series of simple, rapid-fire drills you can run every day in practice.
(And yes — even first graders can start learning these concepts.)

👉 Watch the full drill breakdown here

Ball Screen Rapid Fire

This is one of the fastest — and most important — daily drills you can add to practice.

Setup:

• 1 hoop, 3 basketballs (or 6 balls/2 hoops if you have two coaches)
• Players line up at the wing, ready to attack off a simulated ball screen

How It Works:

1. Player 1 dribbles down, gets underneath the coach’s ball screen setup.
2. Player 1 comes off tight, shoulder-to-shoulder.
3. Player 1 turns the corner and attacks the rim for a skilled finish.
4. As soon as the layup goes up, next player is rolling.

Cues to Emphasize:

• “Get under the screen.”
• “Come off tight.”
• “Turn the corner and go.”

Variations (Loads):

• Use a player instead of a coach as the screener (teaching screener habits like wide feet, strong stance, good angle).
• Vary the screen location — not everything happens at the wing. Use corners, top, etc.
• Add a half-speed on-ball defender to make dribblers read coverage.
• Add a rim protector to challenge layups.

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Pick and Roll Layups

A natural progression from Rapid Fire — now adding more decision-making and movement.

Setup:

• Two lines:
  • One at the free throw line (with ball)
  • One at the wing (without ball)

How It Works:

1. Player 1 at the free throw line snap-passes to the wing.
2. After passing, Player 1 immediately steps over and sets a strong ball screen (wide feet, strong stance, angled body).
3. Ball handler comes off tight, turns the corner, and attacks.
4. Play finishes with a layup or finishing move.

Key Coaching Points:

• Teach screeners to set a real screen, not just stand there.
• Reinforce finishing strong through traffic, not wide-open air.

Variations (Loads):

• Vary the pick and roll angle.
• Add half-speed defense on the ball or screener.
• Add a rim defender (even dummy defense is better than none).

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We highly recommend using the HoopsGeek Play Creator.

It’s the fastest, cleanest tool we’ve found for designing animated drills, plays, and games — whether you’re coaching 3rd graders or varsity players.

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Dribble Handoff Rapid Fire

Just like ball screen rapid fire — but now the player gets into a tight dribble handoff.

Setup:

• 1 coach or 1 player at the free throw line
• Line of players with basketballs at the wing

How It Works:

1. Player 1 fires a snap pass to the coach/player.
2. Player 1 immediately cuts under and takes a tight handoff.
3. Player 1 turns the corner and attacks the rim hard.
4. Next player starts immediately — rapid fire.

Key Teaching Points:

• Make sure players cut under the handoff, not looping wide.
• Encourage tight, game-like handoffs — ball protected, fake action encouraged.
• Screeners (if players) should sell the handoff — don’t just stick the ball out and wait.

Variations (Loads):

• Rotate players in as the passer/screener.
• Vary angles (handoffs from different floor spots).
• Add half-speed defenders to make players read and react.
• Always add a rim defender if possible — no free layups.

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Dribble Handoff Layups

Next progression:
Instead of using a coach, players work together to execute the handoff under light pressure.

Setup:

• Players with ball above the three-point line
• Players without ball in the corner

How It Works:

1. Player 1 (with ball) snap-passes to Player 2.
2. Player 1 cuts underneath for a tight handoff.
3. Player 2 sells the handoff, protecting the ball.
4. Handoff happens — Player 1 attacks and finishes.

Cues for Players:

• Scorer: “Get under. Come off tight. Turn the corner.”
• Passer: “Strong stance. Tight ball. Fake if needed.”

Loads to Progress:

• Add light defense on handoff or rim.
• Vary floor spots for handoff action.
• Change finishing skills every few reps (reverse layups, floaters, strong-side finishes).

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Why These Drills Matter

Ball screens and dribble handoffs aren’t just for college teams.
If you teach them early — teach them right — you build smarter players who can play in any system later.

And by running these drills rapid fire, you:

• Maximize reps
• Keep practices moving
• Build decision-making under pressure

No standing around. No slow-motion teaching.
Just real basketball habits being built every single day.