How to Do a Three Person Weave Basketball Warmup

Every basketball practice should start with warmups. When properly done, these will increase the blood flow and oxygenation of the body to prepare players for the rigors of a practice session. Here is a good warmup drill that should be done even before stretching exercises, as the increased blood flow will make the stretching more effective. This three-person weave passing drill should be done at half-speed and is intended to warm the body up and get player communication flowing.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• At least 3 basketball players
• A basketball for every 3 players
• Basketball court

1. Form three lines behind the baseline. The middle line should be directly behind the basket and have a basketball. A second line is formed with about 15 to 20 feet to the left of the middle line, while a third line is formed 15 to 20 feet to the right of the middle line--these are the wings.

2. The first players in each line will start the drill.

3. The drill begins with the wings proceeding at half-speed up the court and calling for the ball. The middle player with the ball makes a chest pass to one of the wings.

4. After making the chest pass, the passer runs behind the player that he/she passed to, while the receiver moves toward the middle of the court.

5. The next chest pass is made to the third player who is calling for the ball. After that pass is made, the passer now runs behind that third player.

6. This process continues up the court with each passer running behind (weaving) the player they pass to, while the next player is calling "ball." There should be no dribbling in this drill.

7. When the players reach the other end of the court, the last pass should be a bounce pass to the player cutting towards the basket for a lay-up. If the lay-up is missed, the group of three should rebound and put it in the basket.

8. If you have multiple groups of three, the second group should start once the group ahead of them reaches the half-court line.

9. When every group has completed the chest pass weave, proceed to a bounce pass weave.

10. The drill is complete with an overhead pass weave.

Tips & Warnings

• For younger players, you may want to have the lines start about 10 to 12 feet apart.
• Players should try to maintain the 15 to 20-foot spread between players--they should try to use as much of the width of the court as possible to maximize the warmup and work on game-like passes.
• On all three weaves (chest, bounce, overhead), the last pass should be a bounce pass for a lay-up.
• For younger players, you can allow some extra steps until they are comfortable with the drill--more experienced players should execute the drill without committing a traveling violation.