Basketball: The Three-Man-Weave
An essential element in any basketball practice routine, the three-man-weave is a simple drill that can improve coordination, movement, fluidity, teamwork and overall IQ.
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Basketball has always been among my favorite sports, and in basketball, as in any competitive sport—arguably, as in any worthwhile activity—practice is an essential ingredient in the recipe for success; without it, a satisfactory finish is going to be much harder to achieve. Repetition is vital. Simplicity is vital. I can honestly say I have yet to find a simpler, more repetitive drill than the classic three-man-weave.
It takes three, of course. A player begins on the end line with the ball, directly under one basket. The other two take up positions on either side of this central player, equidistant from him/her, also on the end line or a few feet down the court. To keep the weave wide, which is preferable, the wing players (referred to henceforth as Wing 1 and Wing 2) can be cautioned to stay on or outside the sidelines as the drill progresses.
The central player (Center) then passes the ball to either of the wing players. It doesn’t matter which, but this player becomes Wing 1. Once this pass is made, Center follows it, weaving behind Wing 1 and taking his/her position. Without dribbling, Wing 1 then passes the ball across the court to Wing 2, following the pass and weaving behind Wing 2. Wing 2, keeping pace with Wing 1 and Center by slowly moving down the court, catches the ball and, again without dribbling, passes to Center, who has taken Wing 1’s place on the far side of the court. Center catches the ball and passes to Wing 1, follows the pass behind Wing 1 and waits for the pass from Wing 2.
An easy way to help the players remember where to go is to remind them to “follow your pass.” It goes Pass…Follow…Catch…Pass…Follow…Catch….in a figure 8. Eventually, the drill should be done at a fast jog, and then at a sprint. The passes should lead the players catching them so that they are always moving down the court, progressing steadily toward the opposite basket. With practice, the drill becomes fluid, and the weave can culminate in a lay-up.
The three-man-weave helps players with coordination, basketball IQ, passing, movement, and a thousand intangibles. It is an indispensable drill, quick and seamless when done correctly. In my humble opinion, as a player and as a fan, it should always be a part of any exercise routine.
