Basketball Blog Post 2998: Dribble Handoffs, A Drill and Six Simple Actions That Score

When dinosaurs roamed (1970s), dribble handoffs (DHOs) weren't a thing. Times change and in a screening world, DHOs are everywhere. 

A regular theme here is, "basketball is a game of getting and preventing separation." Some teams underutilize the DHO but it's a versatile action in "great offense is multiple actions." See if a couple might be right for you. 

First, a drill to practice. Casual driving gets casual results.

• Hand off "on a platter." 
• Drive hard downhill (drive or kick)
• Relocate. 

Be aware that the DHO begins with "dribbling at." If there is overplay, the handoff receiver can backcut for a bounce pass and layup. 

Clear and DHO. Simple works. This could play at almost any level. 

DHO LeBron. 

DHO Backscreen Weak. 

Core DHO and second screen from 5 coming across. This challenges defensive decision making. 

DHO Backcut weak. 

DHO Spain PnR 

"It's the execution." 

Lagniappe. Sixers Elbow DHO. The play design is to 'draw 2' with the help on an anticipated drive off the DHO...and then kick out for a three. 

 

With time running down, it's unclear whether the long 3 was intended. 

Lagniappe 2. DHO video from Basketball Immersion 

Some teams use "Pistol action" (e.g. combining a DHO into a PnR) as early offense.