Walk through the weave until players understand who receives and where the passer goes next. Use separate routes so a player following a pass does not run through the receiver.
Use the extra attacker
In three-on-two keep-away, ask the ball holder to locate both teammates before choosing. Pause if attackers gather around the ball. Restart with enough separation to make two passing options visible.
01
Partner overhead passing
Send a controlled two-hand overhead pass toward a ready partner.
Group: 2–16 players · 1 adult per group
Equipment: 1 appropriate practice ball per pair Time: 4–8 minutes
Set up: Pairs face each other three metres apart in clear lanes. Repeat the layout in separate personal or pair areas with full movement clearance. For an odd headcount, one trio swaps the observer after every two attempts.
Receiver shows target hands and says ready.
Passer holds the ball comfortably above the forehead and steps into a gentle two-hand pass.
Receiver cushions the catch and returns with the same technique.
Pause after four exchanges to check reachable height and force.
Coach’s cue: Keep the ball in front of the head. Step toward a ready target.
Make it easier, add a challenge, and safety
Easier: Use a chest pass at a shorter distance.
Harder: Receiver moves one step before showing a new target.
Keep it safe: Use a size-appropriate basketball, dry footing and a reachable basket where required. No contact screens, contested rebounds or reaching into another player; clear spare balls from movement areas. Match challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. Offer rest and shorter turns; the age range does not establish fitness or readiness.
02
Three-player weave at walking pace
Pass ahead and follow behind the receiver along separate moving paths.
Group: 3–9 players · 1 adult per group
Equipment: 1 appropriate practice ball Time: 5–9 minutes
Set up: Three active players spread across an eight-metre-long, six-metre-wide clear lane with one ball. With four to nine players, everyone else waits in an observation queue outside the lane and its return route. After each three-pass run, one waiting player replaces the left, middle or right starting role in turn; the replaced player joins the back of the queue. With only three players, change starting roles after each run. Do not start until the previous group has returned outside the lane.
Middle player passes gently to one outside player.
Passer walks behind that receiver while the other outside player moves toward the next receiving space.
New ball carrier passes ahead to the next player and follows behind that player.
Stop after three passes, check spacing and walk back outside the lane with the ball secured. Make the planned role change, pass the ball to the new middle player and confirm all three are ready before restarting.
Coach’s cue: Pass ahead of the movement. Go behind the receiver.
Make it easier, add a challenge, and safety
Easier: Walk the paths while holding the ball at each transfer.
Harder: Link five controlled passes with no running or final shot.
Keep it safe: Use a size-appropriate basketball, dry footing and a reachable basket where required. No contact screens, contested rebounds or reaching into another player; clear spare balls from movement areas. Match challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. Offer rest and shorter turns; the age range does not establish fitness or readiness.
03
Three-on-two passing keep-away
Use an extra teammate to find an open basketball passing option.
Group: 5–10 players · 1 adult per group
Equipment: 2 appropriate practice balls; 8 cones Time: 6–10 minutes
Set up: Eight cones outline two separate five-by-five-metre areas; each area uses three passers, two passive defenders and one ball. For five to nine players use one area, rotating extras after three passes; with ten, use both areas simultaneously.
Attackers spread out and begin with a chest or bounce pass.
Defenders walk to cover passing lanes without contact or reaching into held balls.
Ball carrier pivots and chooses the open teammate; teammates move after each pass.
Pause after five passes or a loose ball and rotate defenders.
Coach’s cue: Spread out to help. Pass to the open teammate.
Make it easier, add a challenge, and safety
Easier: Use one defender who points at a covered lane instead of intercepting.
Harder: Allow gentle interceptions of passes while keeping no-contact rules.
Keep it safe: Use a size-appropriate basketball, dry footing and a reachable basket where required. No contact screens, contested rebounds or reaching into another player; clear spare balls from movement areas. Match challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. Offer rest and shorter turns; the age range does not establish fitness or readiness.
65 more basketball activities in Coach
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Recorded with a sample team and demonstration responses. Review activities and plans for your players before using them.
Questions coaches ask
Should the weave finish with a layup?
This version teaches passing and movement at walking pace. Keep its finish simple; add shooting in a separate block only when you have the space, supervision and equipment.
How do I stop one player taking over?
Rotate ball holders and defenders regularly. Ask the group to notice who has not received recently, without requiring a risky pass to that player.
Where can I build a practice for my team?
Try the free practice generator for basketball. It uses 10 starter activities per sport. Coach adds the full drill library, saved and editable plans, team calendars and AI coaching help.