The player who will have the ball first starts at the free throw line with their back to the basket.  The defensive player can positions themselves anywhere they want.  The offensive player must toss the basketball beyond the three point arc and then go and retrieve it.  The defense can steal the ball as it is being tossed beyond the arc, so the offense must pass it away from the defensive pressure and move quickly to “meet the pass.”  If the defense steals the pass, they are now on offense.

Once the offensive player has the ball, they face the basket and play one on one with the five dribble limit and the outlet player available as described above.

Rules for play.

1)  As soon as there is a change of possession on a made basket, a defensive rebound, or a turnover, the player gaining possession always spins the ball out beyond the arc and retrieves it to start their possession.  The spin out is a live ball, so the other player can steal it if they are in a position to do so.

2) Play to 10 points with baskets scored like a game–3s and 2s.  Shoot free throws on shooting fouls. 

3) Common fouls are 1 free throw for the player who was fouled and that player retains possession of the basketball.

For another variation, you can play the drill with “make it take it” rules.  If a player scores, they retain possession to try to score again (after tossing the ball behind the arc) until they are stopped.

Louisville One on One Drill

 The NBA 3 point arc is used to illustrate where the players should cut to catch the basketball.

The drill begins with 2 players (one behind the other) starting underneath the basket.  The player in front is the offensive player (#1 in the diagram) and the player behind  (#2) is on defense.  There is a coach on each side of the floor at the free throw line extended.  Both coaches have a basketball.

#1 cuts to either “NBA slot” (the spot illustrated in the diagram by where the cut arrow ends).  2 trails to be ready to play defense.  When #1 arrives at the slot, the coach on that side of the floor passes that player the basketball and they play live one one one from that point.

Rules for Louisville One on One Drill

1) The players are only allowed three dribbles each time they have the basketball on offense.

2) The player on offense can pass to either coach and cut to get the ball back from that coach.  

3) Dribbles do not start over after a pass to a coach.  Example: if the player with the ball dribbles once, picks it up, passes to a coach and cuts.  They now have two dribbles remaining once the get the ball back from the coach.

4) The offense gets one point if they score, are fouled (either a common foul or a shooting foul), or get an offensive rebound.  If any of those things happen, the defense goes to the back of the line and the offense starts again with the next defender up.

5) The defense wins (and gets a point) on a stop where no foul occurred.

First player to five points wins the drill.