What is a drift pass in basketball
A drift pass consists of offensive action that occurs when a player in possession of the basketball generally accomplishes dribble penetration towards the baseline near one side of the lane and afterwards, that same player executes a quick pass to the opposite corner or opposite wing of the court.
Why is the drift pass potentially effective
The drift pass is potentially effective because once the player with the ball achieves baseline dribble penetration, that same player will then in most cases, pull one or more help defenders towards the ball itself.
As a result of that action, at least one player without the ball will often be left open to receive it for potential scoring opportunities, typically from three-point range.
What are examples of basic set plays which include the drift pass
Example 1
This is an example of a drift pass when the ball is at the top. To start, 1 gets dribble penetration toward the baseline via the on-ball screen set by 5.
When that dribble penetration occurs, that action pulls X4 into the lane to protect the basket. From there, 4 receives the ball in the left side corner by way of the drift pass executed by 1. Afterwards, 4 can take the jump shot if open.
Example 2
This is another example of a drift pass similar to the previous one. To begin, 1 dribbles toward the baseline via the on-ball screen set by 1 and this causes X4 to protect the basket by sliding into the paint.
However, this time, X3 anticipates the drift pass to the left corner and then takes that option away. Therefore, 3 receives the ball near the left side wing by way of the drift pass executed by 1. After that, 3 can take the open jump shot.
Example 3
This is an example of a drift pass when the ball is on the wing which also includes a hammer screen on the weak side. To demonstrate, 2 receives a step up screen from 5 and then dribbles toward the baseline.
As that occurs, 3 executes a drift cut to the left side corner via the hammer screen set by 4. Following that, 3 receives the ball from 2 by way of the drift pass and then 3 takes the open three-point shot.
Example 4
This is an example of a drift pass when there is two guards in the slot and the low post areas are empty. To begin, 4 receives the ball from 1 and then 2 receives the ball from 4.
After that, 2 rejects a corner ball screen set by 5 and dribbles toward the baseline. This causes X5 to protect the basket by dropping back while X2 follows after 2.
Also, at the same time, 1 executes a drift cut to the left side corner via a flare screen set by 3. Next, 1 receives the ball via the drift pass by 2 and then takes the open jump shot.
Example 5
This is another example of a drift pass when the ball starts at the top. To demonstrate, 3 receives the ball from 1 and following that, 3 gets baseline dribble penetration via the on-ball screen set by 5.
When that happens, it influences X5 to prevent 3 from scoring at the rim and at the same time, X2 provides help near the right side low post area.
From there, 2 receives the ball via the drift pass executed by 3. However, X4 is able to properly closeout to prevent the open jump shot. Therefore, 4 receives the ball from 2 and can then take the three-point shot if open or perhaps, dribble penetrate into the middle of the court for additional scoring opportunities.
Example 6
This is another example of a drift pass when there are two guards in the slots near the top. To begin, 2 receives the ball from 1 and immediately dribble penetrates into the middle near the high post while X2 chases to mitigate the penetration.
Next, 3 drifts to the right side corner and then receives the ball from 2. As that happens, X3 chases after 3, hopefully with a poor closeout and then 3 achieves baseline penetration toward the basket.
This causes X5 to drop down to protect the basket and prevent further dribble penetration by 3. At the same time, 1 cuts to the left side corner via the flare screen set by 4 and then, 1 receives the ball from 3 via the drift pass.
From that point, 1 could take the three-point jump shot if open.
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What are examples of drift pass basketball drills
Drill #1
This is an example of a drift pass basketball drill derived from End-of-Game Winning Strategies & Plays by Kevin Boyle.
The drill comprises three lines near the left side wing, the top, and the right side wing. Moreover, the players on the left side wing execute baseline dribble penetration with a drift pass.
As that occurs, the players near the right side wing execute a drift cut followed by additional dribble penetration and a pass to the top. From there, the players at the top simply swing the ball to the players on the left side wing.
Furthermore, the players that begin near the left side wing will move to the right side wing after executing the proper action. Also, the players that start near the right side wing will move to the top.
Similarly, the players that begin at the top will follow the pass to the left side wing after receiving the ball.
To demonstrate, 1 executes baseline dribble penetration toward the basket. As that occurs, 5 performs a drift cut to the right side corner and then receives the ball from 1.
After that, 5 dribble penetrates into the gap between the right side wing and right side corner while 1 cuts to the back of the line near the right side wing.
Upon reaching the right side lane near the mid-post but prior to dribbling into the actual paint, 5 executes a pass to 3 at the top and then moves to the back of the line at the top
Next, 2 receives the ball from 3 and then, 3 follows that pass to the back of the line near the left side wing. From that point, the drill continues until each player completes the cycle.
Drill #2
This is another example of a drift pass basketball drill which begins with two lines near the left side wing and right side wing.
The players near the left side wing will initiate baseline dribble penetration and execute the drift pass. The players near the right side wing will initiate a drift cut and take a three-point jump shot. Afterwards, players will switch lines.
To demonstrate, 1 dribbles toward the baseline on the left side and as that happens, 3 executes a drift cut to the right side corner.
Following that, 3 receives the ball from 1 via the drift pass and then 3 takes the three-point shot, indicated by the wide arrow with double lines.
Next, 3 could follow their own shot and rebound the make or miss and then 2 could receive the ball from 3. As that occurs, 1 cuts to the back of the line near the right side wing while 3 cuts to the back of the line near the left side wing.
From there, the drill continues until each player completes the cycle. The drill could also start on the opposite side of the court as well.