If you have listened to Steve’s podcasts with Rick Torbett, you will know that Coach Collins utilizes the Read and React offense. But before installing this offensive system for your team, you’ll need to develop the specific skills to help your players leverage scoring opportunities. These Read and React exercises, like the basketball drift and lift drills, layer these skills so your players can excel with this system.
The basketball drift and lift drills incorporates an action central to the Read and React offense known as Circle Movement. This action involves offensive players moving along the perimeter in reaction to a teammate’s dribble drive. Generally, the players move in a circle motion in the direction of the drive. This creates additional space from help defenders and opens passing lanes for the offense.
Read and React Basketball: Drift and Lift Drills
The first layer of these basketball drift and lift drills involves a coach standing in the lane with a line of shooters on the wing. Action for this drill begins with an entry pass to the coach from the wing. The offensive player then drifts from the wing to the corner. The drift motion here isn’t a sprint or a cut.
This drill provides a catch-and-shoot opportunity for the offensive players. Those players with three-point range can attempt their shots as corner threes. Other players can drift to the short corner for their shot attempts. This drill should work from both sides of the floor.
The second layer of these basketball drift and lift drills practices another motion for the read and react offense. This drill starts with a line of offensive players in the corner. Again, the coach stands in the lane and receives an entry pass from an offensive player.
Once the player makes the entry pass, they lift to the next spot along the perimeter. This mimics the circle movement of the read and react offense. Each player performs a catch-and-shoot attempt here, based on their shooting range.
Implementing Read and React
We utilize the Read and React in our program at Gibson Southern in Fort Branch, Indiana. We love the unpredictability and freedom it provides our players while still having certain rules for them to follow. The various layers in these drills are the same as Coach Torbett’s system. They can be easily implemented if you are running the Read and React system.
As all coaches know, it is important to prepare your athletes both mentally and physically for how to react in certain situations when games roll around. These drills simulate those situations in 3 or 4 player groups. We have implemented these drills with female basketball players from 5th grade all the way up to 12 grade.
Kyle Brasher | Gibson Southern High School
Lady Titans Basketball Coach
Related: Read and React Basketball: Circle Movement Drills
Resources:
Coach Unplugged Podcast
Be sure to check out that episode for some great content on the journey of Coach Torbett, how Read and React came about, and the philosophy behind the offense.
Episode: 901 Read and React with Rick Torbett (Part 1)
Ep: 902 Read and React with Rick Torbett (Part 2)
Ep: 903 Read and React with Rick Torbett (Part 3)
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