Layup drill8U+
Mikan drill
The Mikan drill is a finishing drill where one player makes layups back and forth under the rim, right hand on the right side and left hand on the left side, without letting the ball touch the floor.
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Basketball drills with diagrams
Basketball drills for shooting, dribbling, passing, defense and rebounding, plus drills sorted by age for youth teams. Each drill has an animated diagram, how to run it, coaching points and common mistakes.
Basketball drills by skill
Basketball shooting drills
These basketball shooting drills start close to the rim with good form and work out to game-speed shots.
12 drillsBasketball dribbling drills
These basketball dribbling drills go from standing still to game speed.
13 drillsBasketball defensive drills
These basketball defensive drills teach stance and footwork first, then guarding the ball, then playing together as a team.
11 drillsBasketball passing drills
These basketball passing drills teach the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass, then add movement and defenders.
10 drillsBasketball rebounding drills
These basketball rebounding drills teach players to find a body, box out, and go get the ball with two hands.
10 drillsYouth basketball drills
These youth basketball drills are grouped by age, from kindergarten through junior high.
14 drillsAnimated drill diagrams
Basketball drills for practice
Open any drill for the full setup, a step-by-step diagram, coaching points and variations. Every diagram opens in the free play maker so you can change it for your team. For drills a player can do alone between practices, see basketball drills at home.
Defensive drill10U+
Shell drill
The shell drill is a 4-on-4 half-court drill that teaches team defense.
Open in the play makerRebounding drill8U+
Box out drill
This box out drill is a 3-on-3 rebounding drill.
Open in the play makerPassing drill10U+
Three man weave drill
The three man weave drill (often called the 3 man weave) is a full-court passing drill.
Open in the play makerDefensive drill9U+
Closeout drill
A closeout is how a defender gets from help position to a player who just caught the ball.
Open in the play makerDefensive drill8U+
Zig zag drill
The zig zag drill is a full-court defensive slide drill.
Open in the play makerLayup drill7U+
Two line layup drill
The two line layup drill, usually called layup lines, is the warm-up most teams run before practice and games.
Open in the play makerTeam drill10U+
3 on 2 2 on 1 drill
The 3 on 2 2 on 1 drill is a continuous full-court fast break drill.
Open in the play makerPassing drill7U+
Partner passing drill
The partner passing drill is one of the first basketball passing drills most coaches teach.
Open in the play makerDribbling drill7U+
Cone dribbling drill
This cone dribbling drill sets cones in a zig-zag from half court to the basket.
Open in the play makerShooting drill7U+
Form shooting drill
The form shooting drill is how most basketball shooting drills start.
Open in the play makerShooting drill8U+
Around the world basketball drill
The around the world basketball drill is a shooting game played from spots in a half circle around the key.
Open in the play makerQuestions
Basketball drills FAQ
What are good basketball drills for beginners?
Start with form shooting close to the basket, stationary dribbling with each hand, partner passing and simple layup lines. Keep lines short so every player gets a lot of touches, and add games once the basics look good.
How long should basketball drills last at practice?
Most drills work best in 5 to 12 minute blocks. Younger players need shorter blocks and more games. Move on while players are still focused, and come back to the same drill later in the week.
What basketball drills should you do every practice?
Most coaches run some ball handling, a layup or shooting drill, a passing drill, and a defensive drill every practice, then finish with a small-sided or full team drill that puts the skills together.
What are the best drills for youth basketball?
Drills that give every player a ball or keep lines to two or three kids: dribbling games, the Mikan drill, form shooting, partner passing, and small-sided games like 2-on-1 and 3-on-2.
Plays and defenses
Browse basketball playsPut the skills into plays
Animated basketball plays and defenses for youth and high school teams, from inbound plays to zone offense.