what is fast break in basketball

A fast break is an offensive strategy in basketball where a team attempts to move the ball up the court and into scoring position as quickly as possible, so that the defense is outnumbered and does not have time to set up. In a typical fast break situation, the defending team obtains the ball and passes it to the fastest player, who sets up the fast break. That player, usually the smaller point guard, then speed-dribbles the ball up the court with several players trailing on the wings. He then either passes it to another player for quick scoring or takes the shot himself. Recognition, speed, ball-handling skills, and decision-making are critical to the success of a fast break. Fast breaks are often the result of good defensive play such as a steal, obtaining the ball off a block, or a missed shot by the opposing team and a rebound, where the defending team takes possession of the ball and the other team has not adjusted. The goal of running and passing fast is to catch the opponent off guard and disorganized, leading to an easy and unguarded basket. There are two main ways to run a fast break: the motion break and the numbered break.