Hand-Off

Hand-off is when the ball handler dribbles to or by a teammate and hands the ball to that player. The action sometimes involves a very short pass rather than a handoff and does not always require that the initial ball handler dribble with the ball (a handoff).

Getting a ball handler into close proximity to a teammate allows multiple possibilities. It makes for an easy pass over short distance to a player typically coming toward the pass, one often expecting the ball as well. This makes ball denial more difficult. Also, each player involved can execute the action in motion: the ball handler can handoff in mid-dribble while their teammates can receive the handoff at a run. Finally, the initial ball handler can screen or otherwise use their body to disrupt either their own or their teammate’s defender.

These last two options make the dribble handoff similar to the more frequently discussed pick and roll. Both involve two (or rarely more) offensive players working together to force defenders to make choices that offensive players then react to. A ball handler may fake the handoff and keep the ball as their teammates pass by, fake the handoff and pivot with the ball, hand the ball off and continue their motion, or hand the ball off and attempt to screen a nearby defender.

The options the action affords make it one of the most commonly utilized in basketball.