A Simple Dribble Handoff Drill Every Youth Coach Should Teach

If you’re looking for a clean, game-ready way to build shooting confidence and teach players how to flow into modern offensive actions, this dribble handoff drill from Coach Tony Miller is a great place to start. It works for youth teams, high school programs, and small-group workouts, and it helps players develop skills they’ll use in nearly every offense.

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Two-In-A-Row Shooting: A Competitive Warm-Up

Coach Miller starts with a simple but effective shooting progression called “Two in a Row.” It’s a great warm-up drill that keeps players locked in and moving with purpose.

How it works:

A coach stands at the free-throw line and receives passes from the shooting machine.
The player begins in the corner and shoots from five spots: corner, wing, top, wing, corner.
The player must make two shots in a row before moving to the next spot.
Once they’ve finished all five spots, their score or time is recorded.

This turns a standard shooting routine into a competitive challenge. Players can chase personal bests or compete against teammates, which boosts focus and tempo right away.

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Dribble Handoff Drill: Teaching Movement Into Shots

After the warm-up, Coach Miller walks through a dribble handoff drill that builds footwork, timing, and shot preparation behind a handoff. Since handoffs are a staple in today’s offenses, this action translates directly to games.

How the drill is set up:

The player starts at the top of the key and receives a pass.
They take two hard dribbles toward a teammate standing near the wing.
As they approach, they deliver a clean handoff.
The receiving player catches behind the handoff and shoots a three.
Players swap roles and repeat.

This drill teaches players to flow smoothly into handoffs, read angles, and shoot on the move. It’s ideal for guards, but wings and forwards benefit from practicing both sides of the action.

Final Thoughts

Coach Miller’s combination of competitive shooting and a focused dribble handoff drill gives players real offensive reps that improve game performance. These drills fit easily into practice plans, pre-game warmups, or individual workouts. If you want to build better shooters and smarter movers, add both to your weekly routine.

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