Anticipation Drill - Read Pass Intention

Instructions

1. 1P1 advances forward while INT reads P1's hips and shoulder orientation for pass cues
2. 2P2 shifts position to create one receiving option while P3 moves to offer a second
3. 3P1 adjusts body angle, telegraphing the intended target through shoulder and hip alignment
4. 4INT reacts to P1's body cues, moving to cut off the passing lane before the throw
5. 5P1 delivers the pass to P2 while INT drives to intercept based on the read

Coaching Points

• Watch the passer's hips and non-throwing shoulder — they open toward the intended target a full beat before release
• Position your feet to cut the lane before reaching — a lunge without footwork gives up the next pass
• Do not read the ball, read the body; the ball arrives after the tell is already gone
• Rotate which receiver is open each repetition so the interceptor cannot pre-commit
• Reward correct anticipation even when the interception fails — the read matters more than the result at this stage

Common Mistakes

• Reading the ball flight instead of the passer's body cues (hips, shoulders, eyes)
• Lunging for the interception without first positioning the feet to cut the lane
• Pre-committing to one receiver instead of reading fresh each repetition
• Interceptor standing flat-footed between reps instead of maintaining a ready stance
• Passer telegraphing too obviously, making the drill too easy for the interceptor