HC Bursts 3-on-2

Setup, constraints and explanation

Setup

This activity provides affordances for the offense to play in dominoes, exploring ways to convert the offensive advantage into a high-value shot. At the same time, the defense works on finding ways to stop the offense even with a −1 disadvantage. Three offensive players start in locations around the 3PT line, while two defenders start with the ball. As soon as the ball is passed to the offense, the 3-on-2 is live. Players stay in the same roles continuously for one minute before changing. On a made basket or turnover, the offense re-space to different locations to immediately begin the next rep.

Constraints

• Shot selection: only rim finishes and catch and shoot 3PTs.
• Offense can only score once the ball enters the paint and a paint touch is achieved.
• Scores off ghost cuts are worth double.
• Defense receives five points per stop or defensive rebound.
• Play in half or two-thirds of the half-court.
• The floor is lava: after a drive and kick pass, the offense has three seconds to escape the lava by getting out to space (weak side dunker or perimeter); otherwise, a turnover is called.

Explanation

Three offensive players and two defensive players will play in the same roles continuously for one minute. Offense can start anywhere outside the 3PT line, while the defense has the ball. As soon as the defense pass to the offense, the 3-on-2 is live. Play until the defense gain possession or the offense score. After this, the offense will quickly sprint out to a different location outside the 3PT line to begin the next rep. If the offense don’t communicate their score after each basket, the points don’t count.

From Transforming Basketball (2024) by Alex Sarama, chapter 8, pp. 272 to 273.