Argentina Passing For Conditioning, Warm Up, and Communication
The Argentina Passing drill is named after the Argentina National Basketball Team which is known for their passing skills and excellent conditioning, both of which this drill aims to improve.
Players and coaches will enjoy this drill as it keeps everyone moving and helps with communication, passing skills, and conditioning. Here is a video demonstrating the view with then Suffield Academy head coach and 2013 New England Prep Coach of the Year, Jeff Depelteau, presenting a passing drill that he learned from Don Showalter.
Drill Setup
The setup is simple. You will need:
- Eight players form a square within a half-court setup.
- Four players are positioned at the half-court corners, one in the middle of the baseline, two at the sidelines’ midpoint, and one right at the halfway line.
- Each player should have a partner opposite them in the square. Ensure everyone knows who their partner is since they will be switching positions.
- Two players, standing opposite each other, start with one basketball each.
Argentina Passing Instructions
Here’s how the Argentina Passing drill works:
- The drill initiates with the two players holding the basketballs passing them to their immediate left.
- As soon as they release the ball, these players sprint across the court, swapping positions with their partners. They need to reach the spot before the ball makes it to their new position.
- The next player receives the ball, passes it to their left, and immediately sprints diagonally across the court to swap positions with their partner.
- After a specific time, reverse the passing direction to the right side.
- The drill continues in this manner until the coach stops it.
Variations
Once players get comfortable with the basics, you can introduce these variations to keep the drill challenging:
- Full Court Drill: With 12 players lined up in a rectangle (an extra four players for two more corner spots and two more sideline spots), you can extend this drill to a full court for an added emphasis on conditioning.
- Different Passes: Instead of the standard chest pass, incorporate bounce passes and 1-hand push passes for variety.
- One Basketball: For beginners or younger groups, start with one basketball. This gives them more time to understand the mechanics of the drill.
- Odd Number of Players: If you have an odd number of players you can line the extra player in one of the corners since they have the longest distance to sprint.
Coaching Points
As you implement the Argentina Passing drill, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Encourage players to always have their target hands up, ready to catch, rip through and pass the ball swiftly.
- Communication is vital since players will be crossing paths in the court’s middle. Talking should be encouraged.
- Accurate and strong passes are a must!
- Ensure players don’t cheat by stopping short. Everyone must touch the line when switching court sides.
- Since running from corner to corner is farther than side-to-side, consider stopping the drill midway and having everyone rotate one spot.
Final Notes On Argentina Passing
Mastering the Argentina Passing drill can significantly improve a team’s passing skills, conditioning, and communication. It brings a level of dynamism and engagement that players enjoy, making it a great addition to any basketball training session. See our post on youth basketball drills to get more ideas.
Troy Wallace
Troy Wallace is Certified Basketball Speed Specialist and shares his experiences in trying to stay as healthy as possible to stay on the court. He is active in coaching youth basketball in YMCA, Team Work Sports Nebraska, and, currently, in the Jr. Warriors program in Omaha, NE. Visit Troy's Full Author Bio Page or email him directly.
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