3-out 2-in offense

The 3-out 2-in offense puts three players spread around the outside of the key and two players camped close to the basket on either side. The whole point is to get the ball inside — because shots taken closer to the hoop go in more often. It’s not just the post players scoring, though. When defenders collapse to stop the inside players, that opens up passes back out to the perimeter for open shots. Every player has a job, and nobody stands still.

Step-by-Step Drill: “Post and Swing”

What you need: Half court, 1 ball, 5 players (or rotate groups of 5), 5 cones

Setup: Place cones at the top of the key (Point), both wings (just below the free-throw line extended), and both low blocks (just above the box on each side of the lane). This is your starting map.

1. Put your two biggest or most confident players on the low block cones — these are your post players (4 and 5).
2. Put three players on the top and two wings — these are your perimeter players (1, 2, 3).
3. Player 1 at the top starts with the ball. Tell them: “Your job is to find one of the post players or swing it to a wing.”
4. Coach calls “Go!” — Player 1 passes to a wing (2 or 3).
5. The wing now looks inside to the post player on their side. If that player is open and calling for it, pass it in.
6. The post player catches, pivots to face the basket, and looks to shoot, drive, or — here’s the key — pass back out to an open perimeter player.
7. After a pass, the player who passed must move. Perimeter players cut, screen, or replace. Post players slide to the other block if they passed.
8. Rotate through so all kids get reps at all spots.

Success indicator: Kids are moving after every pass, nobody is standing with arms down, and post players are looking to pass back out (not just hunting their own shot every time).