Teaching ‘Gets’ Action
What Is It?
A ‘Gets’ action is where a player passes the ball, and follows the pass to ‘get’ it back from the receiver via a stationary hand-off. The Gets action can be used to:
Release the pressure on the ball-handler.
Create cutting and driving options for the passer.
Create a 2v1 situation for the offence.
How It Looks
Setting Up
A “Gets” action is typically set-up by the receiver taking position inside the 3-point line, shown by O5 in this image who then receives a pass from O1.
“Gets”
We see that O1 then cuts towards O5 to receive the ball back and drive to the basket. O5 effectively acts to screen O2’s defender, and may then ‘roll’ the basket as an extra scoring option.
”Keeps”
Once the cutter (O1) scores multiple times off the Gets action, O5’s defender may try to ‘cheat’ and stop their drive. This creates an opportunity for O5 to drive the other direction to an open basket - called “Keeps”.
Teaching Points
For the passer…
‘Set-up’ your defender before cutting towards the receiver. This typically means taking two steps away from the receiver before changing speed and direction.
If your defender anticipates the Gets and tries to deny it, back-cut strongly to the basket.
Brush the shoulder of the receiver when you grab the ball from them.
For the receiver (player giving the hand-off)…
Seal your defender and give a clear, strong target hand.
The receiver is ideally basket-side of the passer. That way, when the passer cuts they are doing so downhill towards the basket, rather than cutting away from the basket.
Hold the ball on the ‘north and south poles’ close to your body.
It is the cutter’s job to take the ball, do not give it to them. If the cutter does not grab the ball from your hands, keep it and pivot to the basket.
If your defender anticipates the Gets action and tries to block the path of the cutter, keep the ball and drive through the gap created yourself (known as ‘Keeps’).
When should a Gets action be used?
A Gets action is the most versatile of all two-player moves. Some common uses are:
Against full-court pressure defence, to release pressure on the point guard.
To start your half-court offence
Anytime a player stops their dribble and cannot find a pass, a teammate can cut through and grab it from them.
On a sideline inbounds passes
Training Activities
‘Minute to Win It’: Have a one-minute team shooting challenge to score their age in baskets using the Gets action (e.g. 10 year olds = 10 lay-ups in 60 seconds). For this you’ll need two lines, and 3-4 basketballs.
2v2 / 3v3 Half-Court: Once players have discovered the basic techniques, play 2v2 or 3v3 where players start in specified spots and the game commences with a Gets Action.
Scrimmage: Give bonus points for scoring using a Gets action.
For more details, check out…
VIDEO: Basketball Immersion
BLOG: Slappin’ Glass