Basket Drills

Here are a Few Sample Basketball Drills for Children and Some Tips to Follow When Using the Drills

Kid Basketball Drill #1 - Figure 8 Dribble

Drill Purpose

This drill will improve your players dribbling ability, increase finger tip strength, and teach them how to change direction with the ball.

Instructions
1. You want to start with a wide base (feet spread slightly further than shoulder width apart)
2. Start with your right hand, dribble around the back of your right leg.
3. When you feel like you can not dribble any further with your right hand, cross frontwards between your legs to your left hand.
4. Dribble around the outside and the back of your left leg until you can not go any further, then cross frontwards between your legs to your right hand.
5. Repeat the process. With your dribble, it should form an imaginary sideways 8.
6. After doing this for a little while, go the opposite way. Instead of crossing frontwards between your legs, cross backwards between your legs.


Points of Emphasis

continually tell your players to...
• At first, you may want to start this drill by looking at the ball.
• As you improve, try to keep your head up.
• Always use your fingertips.
• Dribble as quickly as possible around your legs, while under control.
• You should take 4 to 5 dribbles around each leg.


Tip #1 - This drill may take awhile for a player to get accustomed to, but if he/she continues to practice this drill. The player's dribbling will get much better.

Tip #2 - Variations:
- Dribble the ball slightly above your knees.
- Put one-hand behind your back and try to perform the dribble with one hand.
- Try walking up and down the court while performing this dribble.

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Kids Basketball Drill #2 - Defensive Slide
Drill Purpose

This drill will improve defensive form and quickness.
Instructions
1. Have the desired number of players line up on opposite sides of the lane, with the same number of players in each lane, if possible.
2. When the whistle blows, the first player in each line will sprint to the free throw line and make a 180 degree turn, thus facing the baseline. He/she will then do foot fires (tap his/her feet in place) as fast as possible until the whistle is blown again.
3. When the whistle is blown again, the first group will slide to the sideline closest to them. The second group will repeat what the first group did in step 2.
4. The whistle is blown again, and the first group will slide to the mid-court line. The second group will repeat what group 1 did in step 3, and group 3 will do what group 2 did in step 3.
5. Repeat this process until all groups have arrived at the mid-court line, and then start all over again if deemed necessary.









Points of Emphasis

continually tell your players to...
• Keep their head up when sliding.
• Keep their arms out when sliding.
• Avoid clicking their feet together when sliding.
• Work on defensive form first, and once technique is correct, then worry about speed.
Motivation / Teaching Tips

Tip #1 - This is not a competition, so let your kids know that form is much more important than speed initially.

Tip #2 - Let your players know that defense is just as important as scoring baskets, and a good defender is just as valuable to the team as a good scorer.