V-cuts and L-cuts

Setup

1. Groups of three: a passer at the top of the key with a ball, a wing and a defender on the wing.
2. Cones mark the wing catch spots, free-throw line extended.

How it runs

1. V-cut: the wing walks the defender down toward the block, plants and pushes hard back out to the cone.
2. L-cut: the wing walks up the lane line to the elbow, then cuts sharply out to the wing.
3. The passer hits the hand target; the wing catches on a jump stop and faces the basket in triple threat.
4. Defender plays half-speed, then live; rotate every three reps.

Coaching points

• Slow in, fast out: the change of speed gets you open, not the distance.
• Plant the foot nearest the basket and push off it, a sharp angle, not a curve.
• Show a hand target away from the defender and call for the ball.
• Catch, pivot to face and see the rim before anything else.

Common mistakes

• Rounding the cut, so the defender stays attached.
• Cutting so far out the pass becomes long and easy to steal.
• Catching and turning on the wrong foot, then shuffling (travel).