Give and go basketball diagram
Give and go step by step
- 1
O1 has the ball at the top and passes to O2 on the wing. X1 relaxes and turns to watch the pass.
- 2
O1 takes a step away to set up X1, then cuts hard to the basket in front of X1. X1 is still watching the ball and falls behind.
- 3
O2 gives the ball right back with a bounce pass, leading O1 to the rim.
- 4
O1 catches in stride and finishes the layup. If X2 leaves O2 to help, O1 can pass back out to O2.
When to use the give and go in basketball
Use it any time a defender turns their head to watch the ball. When a player passes and their defender relaxes or looks away, a hard cut to the basket is open right away.
It is a great first play for 7U and 8U teams because it only takes two players and teaches the habit of moving after you pass. A player who passes and stands still is easy to guard.
The same pass and cut is part of most motion offenses. If your players learn the give and go, they already know one of the main reads in a 5-out or 4-out motion.
See also: 5 out motion offense
Give and go roles
Passer and cutter (O1)
Make a good pass, then take one step away from the basket to get your defender leaning. Push off that foot and sprint to the rim with your hand up as a target. Cut in front of your defender so you are between them and the ball.
Receiver (O2)
Get open to catch on the wing, then turn and face the basket right away. Watch the cutter. As soon as they get a step on their defender, throw a bounce pass out in front of them toward the rim.
How to teach the pass and cut
Start with the footwork of the cut. Walk it first: pass, step away, plant, then cut. Kids tend to skip the step away, and a straight cut is easier to guard.
Then work on the return pass. A bounce pass is the easiest for a young player running at full speed to catch. Aim it at the cutter's hip on the side away from the defender.
If the defender stays between the cutter and the ball the whole way, the cutter keeps going through to the other side and fills an open spot. That keeps the floor spaced and the play can start again.
Give and go drill: two lines
- Make one line at the top of the key with balls and one line on the right wing. The first player at the top passes to the wing.
- The passer steps away, then cuts to the basket. The wing player hits them with a bounce pass for a layup.
- The shooter goes to the wing line and the wing player rebounds and goes to the top line. Run it for a few minutes, then switch to the left side.
- Add a defender on the passer who plays at half speed and turns to watch the pass. Then go live 2-on-2.
Coaching point Watch for the step away before the cut. If players cut in a straight line from where they passed, the defender just runs with them. The step away gets the defender to lean the wrong way.
Common give and go mistakes
- Passing and standing still to watch the ball.
- Cutting behind the defender, which lets the defender stay between the cutter and the ball.
- Throwing the return pass too late, after the defender has caught up.
- Throwing a hard chest pass to a young player who is running full speed.
- The receiver turning away from the basket after the catch and never seeing the cutter.
Give and go FAQ
What is a give and go in basketball?
A two-player play where one player passes to a teammate, cuts to the basket, and gets a pass right back. It is also called a pass and cut.
What is the difference between a give and go and a backdoor cut?
In a give and go, the passer cuts after passing and gets the ball back. A backdoor cut is when a player without the ball cuts behind a defender who is overplaying them.
How do you teach a give and go to kids?
Start with two lines and no defense. Teach pass, step away, cut, and a bounce pass back for a layup. Add a defender once players do it without thinking.
What age can learn the give and go?
Kids as young as 6 or 7 can learn it. It only needs a pass, a cut, and a layup.