The dribble handoff is a Miami Heat staple. This video breaks down the different types of dribble handoffs the Heat utilize.
Is there anything more aesthetically pleasing than Tyler Herro knifing down the lane after taking a dribble handoff? What goes into this simple exchange?
In a dribble handoff (DHO) there are two parties – the deliverer and the recipient. For the Miami Heat, think Bam Adebayo (deliverer) and Duncan Robinson or Herro (recipients).
Here are some handoff types you will see in the Heat offense:
- Traditional DHO – The deliverer is above the recipient
- Inverted DHO – The deliverer is below the recipient
- “Keep and Go Next” DHO – The deliverer aborts one handoff attempt and seeks out another.
In this video, we break down these three handoff types!
Dribble Handoff Details
There are a few teaching points and things to watch for in DHOs.
First, we want the deliverer to dribble at the recipient’s defender rather than dribbling at his teammate. This oftentimes freezes the defender. In addition, it also forces the defender into a choice, go under or trail, both of which we can exploit.
Second, for the recipient, we want them to set up the handoff by stepping into their man then sprinting into the handoff.
Dribbling at the defender and setting up the cut into the handoff helps increase the chances of the deliverer getting a piece of the recipient’s defender allowing the recipient to get downhill or squeeze off a shot.
Next time you tune into a Heat game, watch for these elements – dribbling at the defender and setting up the cut into the handoff. The dribble handoff is a simple action, but these details matter.
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