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team-drills•passing•playsAdvanced15-20 min

Butterfly Passing

Master offensive movement and passing with this continuous rotation drill. Using a three out, two down offense formation, players learn to pass, cut, and rotate positions in a fluid, infinite cycle. Develops court awareness, passing accuracy, and understanding of offensive spacing and movement.

Instructions

  1. 1Set up in a three out, two down offense formation (3 players outside, 2 post players)
  2. 2The point guard starts with the ball
  3. 3Point guard passes to the wing player
  4. 4After passing, the point guard cuts to the rim
  5. 5The post player on that side kicks out to receive a pass
  6. 6Players rotate positions:
  7. 7 Wing player moves to the point guard position
  8. 8 Post player moves to the wing position
  9. 9 Point guard (who cut to rim) moves to the post position
  10. 10The same cycle is repeated on the other side
  11. 11The new point guard passes to the opposite wing
  12. 12Point guard cuts to rim, post kicks out, and players rotate again
  13. 13Continue this cycle to create an infinite rotation pattern
  14. 14Focus on crisp passes, sharp cuts, and smooth rotations

Pro Tips

  • Make quick, accurate passes - don't hold the ball
  • Cut hard to the rim after passing - make it a real scoring threat
  • Post players should kick out quickly after receiving the ball
  • Move immediately after passing - don't stand still
  • Maintain proper spacing throughout the rotation
  • Keep your head up to see the whole court
  • Rotate positions smoothly and quickly
  • Communicate with teammates about timing
  • Practice both sides equally
  • Focus on the timing of cuts and passes
  • The post player kicking out should present a good target
  • After cutting to the rim, move quickly to the post position
  • Keep the ball moving - this is a passing drill, not a shooting drill
  • Work on making passes with both hands
  • Stay in your new position until the next rotation
  • For advanced players, add a scoring element after the cut to the rim