One-on-One Transition is a competitive live drill designed to simulate stopping the ball in primary transition. It forces the defense to sprint, recover, and contain a full-speed dribbler while the offense learns to attack early and finish aggressively. This drill is an identity-builder for transition defense and ball pressure.

Setup & Organization

Use half a court. Place two cones at half court: one on the sideline and one inside the jump circle. Offensive players line up in the baseline corner with a ball each. Defensive players line up under the basket. One offensive and one defensive player step in per rep.

Step-by-Step Progression

On the coach’s whistle, the offensive player dribbles full speed around the sideline cone while the defensive player sprints around the cone in the jump circle. Once both clear their cones, the play is live. The offensive player pushes the ball downhill with the goal of attacking straight-line to the basket. The defender must stop the ball in transition, contain penetration, and contest without fouling. The rep ends with a score, stop, or turnover.

Scoring

This is a defensive-scored drill. A stop on a missed shot with a rebound is worth one point. Forcing a turnover is worth two points. If the defense commits a foul, the entire defensive group’s score resets to zero. The drill is played in two three-minute segments, with each unit rotating between offense and defense.

Coaching Points

Offense must attack with speed and efficiency, avoiding wasted dribbles. Defense must sprint full speed, get chest-to-chest, and cut off angles without reaching. Emphasize discipline, communication, and physicality at the rim. Coaches should demand control on contests and call fouls tightly to reinforce proper technique.

Variations

Limit the offensive player to two dribbles inside the three-point line to sharpen decision-making. Add a trailing offensive player to create 2-on-1 reads for the defense. For advanced groups, begin the defender a step behind the cone to simulate recovery from a disadvantage.