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Pin-Down Reads

Skill 8 min 4+ players

Players use a pin-down screen and read the defender’s position to choose the right exit. The shooter curls, exits at 45 degrees, or fades to the corner based on how the defender plays the screen.

Court diagram: Pin-Down Reads basketball drill

Instructions

  1. Set a passer at the top, a screener on the block, and a shooter under the basket.
  2. Add a defender on the shooter if using defense.
  3. The shooter sprints up to use the pin-down screen.
  4. The shooter reads the defender and chooses the correct exit: curl, 45-degree exit, or corner exit.
  5. The passer hits the shooter on the exit.
  6. The shooter catches and shoots, or attacks the closeout if using the corner exit.
  7. The shooter gets their own rebound and joins the passer line.
  8. The passer becomes the screener.
  9. The screener becomes the next shooter.

Coaching Points

  • If the defender trails, curl tight off the screen
  • If the defender gets stuck on the screen, exit at 45 degrees for a shot
  • If the defender goes on top, exit to the corner for a skip pass and attack the closeout
  • Set up the screen before using it. Change speed into the exit
  • Read first, then choose. Do not run a pre-set route

Variations

  • Call what the defender does before the shooter exits: trail, stuck, or on top
  • Add guided live defense. The defender gives clear reads without trying to win the possession
  • Progress to competitive live defense. The shooter reads the defender and plays to score

Want this in your own library, with your coaching points on it? Building a drill library you'll actually reuse covers what to write down so a drill still works next season.