
The give and go is a fundamental basketball tactic that promotes ball and player movement and can lead to high-percentage scoring opportunities. It involves an initial player passing the ball to a secondary player and then immediately moving towards the basket to receive the ball again and score. Teaching the give and go can help players develop their passing and cutting skills, build chemistry between teammates, and exploit defensive breakdowns. Drills for the give and go can involve players passing and following the ball up the court, or performing specific cuts and layups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formation | 5-0 spread alignment with Point Guard at the top of the key, Wing and Guard at the free-throw line extended, and post players in the corners. |
| 2-1-2 spread alignment with the post setting up on the weak side. | |
| Passing | The player must control the basketball with the hand it was passed to. |
| Passing promotes ball movement and can lead to defensive breakdowns. | |
| Cutting | Cutting promotes player movement and can lead to mistakes by the opposing defense. |
| The player must cut towards the basket to receive the ball again. | |
| Scoring | The "Give & Go" is one of the oldest and most effective plays in basketball, often resulting in an easy lay-up. |
| Drills | Players stand 10 feet apart and pass the ball back and forth. |
| Player 1 passes to Player 2, sprints, and then receives the pass back. | |
| Player 1 passes to Player 2, runs, cuts to the next cone, receives the pass, dribbles to the next cone, and then shoots. |
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What You'll Learn

Passing and cutting
Passing is important as it promotes ball movement, which can cause defensive breakdowns and create scoring opportunities. When the ball is passed, the defenders will move towards it, and this movement can be exploited. Passing also encourages teamwork and chemistry between players. Cutting is also important as it promotes player movement, which can cause the opposing defence to make mistakes, leading to high-percentage scoring opportunities.
There are several types of cuts that can be used in basketball, each with its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation. A shallow cut is a perimeter cut used when exchanging positions with a teammate, or when replacing a player who has vacated their position. A dive cut is any cut towards the basket, which often results in a lay-up. A back cut is used when you cut behind the defender, and it should result in a great scoring opportunity. It is used when a defender is overplaying or denying the pass on the perimeter. A face-cut is when you cut in front of the defender to get on the ball-side, and this usually results in a layup.
When teaching passing and cutting, it is important to also teach players about spacing. Players should learn to move crisply and purposefully between the normal basketball spots (corners, wings, top of the key, low post, and high post) as space opens up. They should also be aware of their teammates and not cut just a few steps, or they will clog up that side of the court.
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Layups
Step 1:
Start players on the low block, recommending they start on the right block as most players are right-handed. Give everyone a basketball and line them up behind the low block.
Step 2:
Ask players to take one step back from the low block, reminding them that they don't need to dribble yet.
Step 3:
Players should grab their rebound before joining the end of the same line.
Step 4:
Teach players to slow down. Encourage them to use a long first step to gain control of their body, then jump high off the second step to finish. Control is key.
Step 5:
Once a player gets past their defender off the dribble, teach them to step in front of the defender to "lock them behind". This creates space in front to finish with a floater.
Step 6:
Teach players to approach the hoop while dribbling. They should grab the ball with both hands, jump into the air, and flick the ball onto the backboard and into the hoop.
To improve layups, players can practice half-squats to train their jumping power from a squatting position. They can also perform box jumps to train their reflexes and jumping power. It is important to warm up before practicing layups to prevent injuries and plan sufficient breaks.
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Offensive and defensive player roles
The "give and go" is a fundamental basketball tactic that involves two players: an initial player and a secondary player. The initial player, typically positioned near a perimeter area of the court, passes the basketball to the secondary player. The initial player then immediately cuts towards the basket, creating a scoring opportunity by receiving the ball back from the secondary player near the rim. This movement promotes player and ball movement, which can lead to defensive breakdowns and high-percentage scoring chances.
In the "give and go," the initial player's role is to make the initial pass to the secondary player and then quickly move towards the basket to receive the ball again. This player must be adept at passing and cutting, as they are responsible for creating scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates. Their ability to make precise passes and cut effectively towards the basket is crucial for the success of the "give and go."
The secondary player's role is to receive the initial pass from the first player and then return the pass to them as they cut towards the basket. The timing and accuracy of their pass back to the initial player are critical. The secondary player must also be aware of the defensive positioning and adjust their pass accordingly to create a scoring chance for their teammate.
Defensive players must aim to disrupt the "give and go" by denying the passing lane. They should focus on staying between their offensive player and the basket, forcing the offense to alter their passing or driving angles. Effective communication and help-side defence are crucial to countering the "give and go." Defenders must communicate to avoid leaving open spaces for offensive players to exploit. Help-side defence involves defenders providing support by stepping in to prevent easy passes or drives to the basket.
To counter the "give and go," defenders can employ strategies such as dribble penetration defence, where they pressure the ball handler to prevent easy passes. Additionally, defenders can utilise a zone defence or full-court press to disrupt the offence's rhythm and passing lanes. These defensive strategies can vary depending on the specific offensive setup and the skills of the offensive players.
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Alignment and positioning
The "Give and Go" is a fundamental basketball tactic that involves passing, cutting, and constant movement of both players and the ball. To execute it effectively, players must align and position themselves in a way that creates space, confuses the defence, and ultimately generates high-percentage scoring opportunities near the basket.
The "Give and Go" can be taught using various offensive setups, each requiring different player alignments and positioning. One common setup is the 5-0 spread alignment, where the Point Guard is at the top of the key, the Wing and Guard are positioned on the free-throw line extended, and the post players occupy the corners. This alignment provides width and depth to the offence, creating multiple passing and scoring options.
Another setup is the 2-1-2 spread alignment, where the two best ball handlers are positioned together, with the post setting up on the weak side. This alignment isolates the two primary players involved in the "Give and Go" action, allowing them to work together to create scoring opportunities. The weak-side players remain relatively stationary to avoid fouling but must be aware of their defenders' positions to effectively utilise the "Give and Go" tactic.
Regardless of the chosen setup, the alignment and positioning of players in the "Give and Go" should aim to stretch the defence and create passing lanes. For example, in a 3-player setup, Player 1 (the initial passer) can start at the top with possession of the ball, Player 2 (the receiver and secondary passer) can position themselves on the right side wing, and Player 3 (the secondary receiver) can be near the right-side high post elbow. This creates a triangle formation that stretches the defence and provides passing options.
The "Give and Go" is most effective when players are aligned and positioned in a way that promotes quick, accurate passing and seamless movement towards the basket. This tactic relies on precise timing and coordination between players, so their positioning should facilitate easy ball movement and player cuts. By aligning and positioning effectively, players can execute the "Give and Go" with speed and efficiency, increasing the likelihood of scoring success.
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Drills and exercises
Passing Drill
This drill focuses on passing and movement, which are crucial aspects of the give-and-go. Set up a line of offensive players with a basketball at the wing. Player 1 passes to Player 2 and makes a give-and-go cut directly into the lane. Player 3 then leaves their imaginary defender and steps up to cut off Player 1 and take the charge. This drill teaches players to make quick passes and cuts, which are fundamental to the give-and-go strategy.
Cone Drill
This drill helps players practice passing, movement, and pivoting. Set up four cones in a square formation with an additional cone in the middle. Split the team into four groups, with each group at a cone, and one player in each group has a basketball. When the coach calls out 'go', each player with a ball dribbles towards the middle cone, performs a jump stop, pivots, and then passes to the next line before joining the end of that line. This drill promotes passing accuracy and movement skills vital for the give-and-go.
Chase Down Layups
This drill is excellent for teaching players to finish layups under pressure. Form two lines of players at each end of the floor: one offensive line and one defensive line, with a basketball at the front of each offensive line. The coach starts by bringing the offensive player out from the baseline, giving them an advantage over the defender, who also starts on the baseline. The coach then calls out 'GO', and both players sprint to the other end. This drill teaches offensive players to make quick decisions and finish under pressure, which aligns with the give-and-go strategy.
Defense and Offense Drill
This drill helps players understand the importance of transitioning between defense and offense. Players pair up, with one being the offensive player in a Triple Threat Position and the other being the defender. The offensive player dribbles an imaginary ball while the defender uses the step and slide technique to guard them. They zigzag to half-court and then switch positions, with the new offensive player now dribbling the ball. This drill teaches players to quickly identify their roles and transition between defense and offense, which is crucial for executing the give-and-go effectively.
Ghost Play
This drill is performed at the end of each session. It involves imagining game situations and making passes, moving off picks, posting up, and rebounding. Players act as offensive players, scoring and controlling the game. They pass off walls, rebound, bring the ball up to the court, and take foul shots. This drill helps players apply their skills in a simulated game context, allowing them to practice the give-and-go in a more realistic setting.
These drills provide a solid foundation for teaching the give-and-go in basketball. They focus on passing, movement, decision-making, and understanding the transition between defense and offense, which are all crucial aspects of mastering the give-and-go technique.
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Frequently asked questions
The give-and-go is a tactic where an offensive player with the ball passes it to a second player and then cuts towards the basket to receive the ball again, creating a scoring opportunity.
The give-and-go is one of the oldest and most effective plays in basketball. It promotes ball movement and passing, which can lead to defensive breakdowns and high-percentage scoring opportunities. It also builds chemistry between players.
Start with players in a 5-0 spread alignment, with Point Guard at the top of the key, Wing and Guard at the free-throw line, and post players in the corners. Players should practice passing and following the ball up the court. More advanced drills can involve players standing 10 feet apart and passing the ball back and forth, controlling the ball with the hand it was passed to.










































