LEVEL 2Small Sided2v2

Cut When They Look Away

FIG. 04CUTTING OFF THE PASS2V2

The most common defensive mistake in 2v2 is ball-watching. The moment you pass, your defender's head often turns to follow the ball — and a defender who cannot see you cannot guard you. That head turn is your cue to cut. Sprint to the rim behind them while their eyes are away, with a hand up as a target. Even if the pass never comes, you have forced the defense to scramble, and you can clear out to rebalance the floor. Pass and stand, and you have wasted their mistake.

READ THIS

The instant your pass leaves, watch your defender's head — a turn to follow the flight of the ball means they have lost you.

DO THIS

Cut hard to the rim directly behind their head with a target hand up; if the return pass doesn't come, clear through to the open side.

COACHING LINEAGE

Steve Kerr

Off-ball movement wins: cut, relocate, space. The defense can only watch one thing.

Phil Jackson

The triangle decision framework applies to any offense — proper spacing turns every defensive choice into a wrong answer.

IN THE SITUATION ROTATION

In a 2v2 pickup game you pass to your partner near the right corner. The moment the ball leaves your hands, you see your defender turn their head to watch the pass, losing sight of you completely.

Appears as a Situation of the Day · 2v2

You have the ball in 2v2 and your partner cuts toward the rim from the right side. Their defender's head is turned toward you, but the cut has just started and there is a defender near the lane.

Appears as a Situation of the Day · 2v2