The Run-and-Double Drill From Brent Bell, former head boys coach, Woodberry Forest School, Virginia

The 3-on-3 vs. Run-and-Double Drill is successful for several reasons. The drill incorporates aspects of pressure defense, trapping, beating traps, fast-break situations and recovery.

Offensive emphasis

  • Attacking pressure and making a decisive play before the double-team comes.
  • Making players a target for a pass in the middle of the floor.
  • Executing a 2-on-1 break.

Defensive emphasis

  • Forcing the ball to the sideline and trapping.
  • Understanding the role of an interceptor on defense.
  • Recovering quickly once a trap is beaten.

Drill specifics

  • Full-court with 12 players grouped in four sets of three players.
  • Two players, one offensive and one defensive, start under the basket.
  • Four players, two offensive and two defensive, start at midcourt.

DIAGRAM 1: Group 1 begins with its ball handler trying to push the ball up the floor. The player guarding the ball handler pushes him or her to the sideline and into the double-team.


DIAGRAM 2: As the defender commits to the double-team, the offensive player he or she is guarding should sprint to the middle of the court. Have that player touch the center circle.


DIAGRAM 3: The ball handler passes to the player in the middle before the trap arrives. When the opposite defender sees his or her teammate move to the double-team, that defender should move to the middle of the floor and try to become an interceptor.

Once the ball is caught in the middle, a 2-on-1 fast break can be run with the three players hustling to get in the play.

Once a basket is made or the defense gets a stop, the next six players try it. Then the drill repeats in the opposite direction with players switching offensive and defensive responsibilities.