DHO (Dribble Handoff) Actions

What it is

• The receiver's defender must navigate the handoff like a screen.

How it works

• DHOs are prevalent in modern offenses (Horns, Floppy, Princeton, Dribble-Drive Motion) because they create spacing and multiple coverage options.
• Step 1: Handler dribbles toward screener's location.
• Option A: Stay on original handler (they're now off-ball)
• Option B: Switch to screener (defending screener's action)
• Option C: Trap screener (double-team immediately after handoff)

Reads and counters

• The receiver reads the giver's defender: if he sits back in drop, turn the corner and attack downhill off the handoff.
• If the screener's defender hedges or jumps the handoff, the receiver rejects it or splits early before the second defender recovers.
• The handoff giver reads the receiver's defender getting top-locked or denied and keeps the ball to attack the vacated space himself.
• Against a switch, the receiver attacks the bigger defender before help sets, or the giver re-posts the smaller defender on the catch.
• On a tight chase, the receiver snakes the dribble back across the giver to keep the trailing defender pinned on his hip.

Teaching cues

• Hand it on the hip
• Dribble at him
• Reject it
• Turn the corner
• Read the top-lock

Bilingual terms

Related concepts