Elevate Your Game with the Relay Pass & 2-on-2 into 1-on-1 Drills

Transform your practices with the relay pass! Learn how to create high-impact 2-on-2 into 1-on-1 drills that sharpen decision-making, shot selection, and game awareness using the Constraints Led Approach (CLA). Elevate your training and watch your players thrive!

This is a continuation to our previous post on mastering the relay pass.

Relay Pass & 2-on-2 into 1-on-1’s

Practical ways to use the relay pass are to create practice environments for skills training from 2-on-2 into 1-on-1s.

It is possible to create rich learning environments in which we deconstruct the real game into a 2-on-2 Small-Sided game. 

When I create a SSG I like to imagine what part of the game and what specifying information is most important to the SSG. What is the game’s intention? Or rather, what are we trying to improve?

In the clip above, I could create a 2-on-2 that goes into a 1-on-1:

 

A coach/ player would make this game live with the first pass. In this possession, Lorenzo Brown (purple circle, above) is in a heavy shrink. He is forced into a longer close out after the pass is made. From here it is live 2-on-2. You can constrain the game or add a rule so that you will see desirable behaviors emerge. 

 

For example, in the clip, #8 (orange circle, above) scores within 3 seconds. You can constrain this game that after the pass is made, players have 3 seconds to shoot. You might want to work on high quality shots, ie. players can only shoot a catch and shoot corner 3 or a lay up. 

 

Or you might want to work on re-triggering if there is no advantage created with the initial pass: No time limit, must re-trigger if there is no advantage, lay ups only. 

Using the Constraints Led Approach (CLA) you can change the rules of the SSG to encourage the skills you want your players to work on. 

 

SSG: 2-on-2 into 1-on-1 Relay pass start

1. After the player shoots the ball he gets off the court, along with his defender.
2. The player who did not shoot the ball gets another pass (from coach or player) and plays 1-on-1

 

Using the Relay Pass in 2-on-2 into 1-on-1 Drills

One of the best ways to maximize the relay pass is by creating 2-on-2 into 1-on-1 situations. This format challenges players to:

• Read and react to defensive positioning
• Improve spacing and movement
• Develop finishing skills under pressure
• Enhance shooting efficiency

Why Use the Relay Pass in Training?

✅ Creates realistic game situations
✅ Improves transition play and defensive reactions
✅ Encourages faster decision-making
✅ Develops versatile offensive skills

The relay pass is more than just a technique—it’s a game-changing tool for building smarter, more effective training environments. By integrating 2-on-2 into 1-on-1 drills with thoughtful constraints, coaches can help players develop the skills they need to excel in real-game situations.

Start using the relay pass in your training sessions today and watch your team’s skill level soar!