The two second rule

Like most coaches, I have been alternately perplexed and frustrated when inexperienced players refuse to make an easy pass and instead look for something better even when no one is open. This often happens at the start of an offensive sequence and the end result is often a turnover when the easy pass is cut off. It is of course worse if the've already given up their dribble. My solution has been to repeat "make the easy pass" and show both good and bad examples on video. It eventually works but I've been looking for something else to help.

This season I plan to put in the two second rule. I will tell players that they can only turn down an easy pass if they see a better pass that they can make within two seconds. The idea is to get the players to focus on making a decision based on clear criteria. They still are expected to think and make decisions but hopefully their decisions will be better with the two second rule in place.

The real value will come from a better way to ask questions. I can ask the player "Who did you think you were going to pass to in two seconds?". ""Was there someone that would have been open if you waited two seconds?". This will help the player learn to think and read both our offense and their defense. It's important to rememember that there are times when waiting is the right choice if it leads to something good for us.