Mastering The 5-Man Weave: Basketball's Ultimate Team Play

how to do a 5 man weave in basketball

The 5-man weave is a basketball drill introduced at Lindsey Wilson College in 1991 by assistant coach Ed Yuhas. It is a pre-season conditioning drill that helps players work on their passing skills, timing, communication, and collaboration. The drill starts with 5 players spaced evenly along the baseline, with the middle player holding the ball. The players pass the ball to the nearest player while travelling up the court and then run behind two players. Once they reach the other end of the court, the drill turns into a 3-on-2 drill, with the person who shot and the last passer returning to play defence. This drill can be confusing for beginners, but with practice, players can improve their basic skills and become more comfortable with the weave.

shunwild

Passing and going behind

To begin the drill, players line up at half-court in three lines: one in the center and one near each sideline. The player in the middle, let's call them Player 1, starts with the ball. They initiate the weave by passing to one of the sideline players, let's say Player 2. After passing, Player 1 cuts wide and moves behind Player 2.

Next, Player 2 passes the ball to the opposite sideline player, Player 3, and then cuts wide and moves behind Player 3. At this point, Player 1 is still actively involved in the drill and should be positioned to the side of the court, having moved behind Player 2.

Player 3 now becomes the focal point of the drill. They pass the ball back to Player 1 in the middle and then cut wide, moving behind Player 1. This completes one cycle of the weave. The pattern continues with players passing and moving behind each other in a fluid motion.

It's important to note that players should follow their pass and actively move towards the person they passed the ball to. This creates a dynamic and continuous weave pattern. As the drill progresses, players should maintain their spacing and positioning to ensure effective passing and movement.

shunwild

Passing techniques

Passing Technique 1: The Basic Weave Pattern

The 5-man weave begins with players positioned in three lines: one in the center, and one near each sideline. The middle player (O1 or #2) initiates the passing sequence by passing to one of the sideline players (#3 or O2). The passer then cuts wide and moves behind the player they just passed to. The pass receiver now becomes the passer, sending the ball to the opposite sideline player (O3 or #1), and then cutting behind them. The ball is then passed back to the original middle player, completing the weave pattern. This continuous passing and movement create a fluid "weave" up the court.

Passing Technique 2: Communication

Effective communication is essential during the 5-man weave. Passers should call out the receiver's name and the sequence number of the pass (e.g., "Ross 1," "John 2"). Receivers should respond by yelling "ball" to confirm they are ready to receive the pass. Clear communication ensures everyone is in sync and reduces the chances of errors.

Passing Technique 3: Timing and Rhythm

The 5-man weave is all about developing a smooth rhythm through precise timing. As the drill progresses, players should focus on the timing of their passes and cuts. They should strive to make crisp, timely passes and quickly move into position for the next pass. This timing ensures the weave flows smoothly and helps players develop a better feel for the drill.

Passing Technique 4: Pass and Go Behind Two

An important aspect of the 5-man weave is the "pass and go behind two" concept. After completing the weave pattern, players will run behind two teammates before reaching the other end of the court. This movement creates space and helps set up the subsequent 3-on-2 drill that follows the initial weave.

Passing Technique 5: Finishing with a Layup

As players approach the basket, they should focus on executing precise passes to set up a layup. The last pass to the shooter is typically a bounce pass. Players should coordinate their movements to create opportunities for easy layups. This can include using give and go" passes or 1-2 passes to create high-percentage scoring chances.

shunwild

Footwork

The drill starts with players positioned in three lines at half-court: one line in the centre and one on each side. The player in the middle begins with the ball and passes to one of the side players. This initiates the "pass and go behind" movement, where the passer cuts wide and moves behind the player they just passed to. This footwork is crucial for creating space and avoiding congestion.

The player who receives the pass now repeats this action, passing to the opposite side player and then cutting wide and moving behind them. This continuous passing and movement pattern forms the basis of the 5-man weave. As the players move up the court, they must be mindful of their footwork, ensuring they don't travel or commit any violations.

When the players reach the other end of the court, the drill often transitions into a 3-on-2 or 2-on-1 situation. Here, the footwork changes slightly as players attack the goal or set up defensive positions. The players must use their footwork to create angles, drive to the basket, or close out on the ball handler.

Throughout the drill, players should focus on using quick, agile footwork to execute the passes and cuts effectively. The 5-man weave is a fast-paced drill that requires players to be constantly moving, so footwork plays a significant role in its success.

shunwild

Rebounding

The 5-man weave drill is a dynamic exercise that involves passing, cutting, and movement. It helps players improve their passing skills, timing, and coordination. During the drill, players form a weave pattern by passing the ball and then moving to receive a pass from the next player in the sequence. This continuous movement creates opportunities for rebounds.

When a player receives the pass and shoots, the other players involved in the weave should be ready to rebound. The rebounder should focus on the shot and anticipate where the ball will come off the rim or backboard. They should position themselves near the basket, providing an outlet for the rebound. It's important to be aware of your teammates' and opponents' positions to ensure you secure the rebound for your team.

As the rebounder, use your body to create space and establish a favourable position. Box out your opponents by using your body to separate them from the ball, allowing you to gain possession. It's crucial to be aggressive and assertive when going for the rebound, ensuring you don't commit a foul.

After securing the rebound, outlet the ball quickly to a teammate. This helps transition from defence to offence smoothly. Look for open teammates and pass the ball to initiate a fast break or reset the offence. Effective rebounding and outlet passing are crucial for maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities.

Practising rebounding drills, such as the 5-man weave, helps players develop their skills in securing rebounds, making outlet passes, and transitioning into offence. It's important to focus on proper technique, communication, and teamwork during these drills to improve overall performance in games.

shunwild

Lay-ups

A lay-up is defined as the action of a player dribbling towards the hoop, taking two steps, and then laying the basketball into the hoop off the backboard. However, there are many variations of the lay-up, and no two in-game lay-ups are identical.

  • Catch the ball, landing on your left foot
  • Step forward with your right foot
  • Jump off with your left foot
  • Drive forward with your right knee
  • Bring the ball up with your right hand
  • Lay the ball up softly

It is important to master more than one type of lay-up. When playing a 5-on-5 game, there will be defenders trying to block or alter your shot. To avoid contact or getting blocked, players often angle away from the defence, giving themselves a much more difficult shot attempt. Encourage players to embrace contact and attack the defender.

The 5-man weave is a great drill for players to practice their lay-ups. Once the players have reached the other side of the court, the player with the ball should attempt a lay-up.

Basketball Shoes: Dusty Mystery Solved!

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

The 5-man weave is a basketball drill introduced at Lindsey Wilson College in 1991. It is a great warm-up to get the whole team moving in unison and is excellent for passing, catching, and conditioning.

Form five lines on the baseline: one in each corner, one on each side just outside the paint, and one in the middle under the basket. The player in the middle starts with the ball.

The middle player passes to either of the two nearest players, then runs behind the receiver and the wide player on the same side, turning up the sideline. The new ball carrier then repeats this action, passing to the next nearest player on the opposite side. This continues up the court until a player is close enough to finish at the rim.

Yes, there are variations that involve different passing sequences, defensive close-outs, rebounding, and shooting. The 5-man weave can also be adapted for a 3-on-3 or 2-on-2 drill once players reach the other end of the court.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment