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Youth basketball drills
These youth basketball drills are grouped by age, from kindergarten through junior high. The youngest players learn best through games, and older players can handle more structure and team drills. Most of these work as basketball drills for beginners at any age, so start where your players are.
Basketball drills for 5 and 6 year olds
Basketball drills for kindergarteners and first graders should be games with a ball for every child. Keep instructions to one or two sentences and switch activities every five minutes or so.
Red light green light dribbling
Players line up on the baseline with a ball. On green light they dribble forward, and on red light they stop and hold the ball. Anyone who loses the ball goes back to the start.
Sharks and minnows
The minnows dribble from one baseline to the other while one or two sharks try to knock their balls away. Minnows who lose their ball become sharks. At this age, let the sharks walk.
Form shooting drill
The form shooting drill is how most basketball shooting drills start.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsBasketball drills for 7 and 8 year olds
Players this age can dribble with some control and start learning layups. Keep using games, and add simple drills with short lines.
Dribble tag
Everyone dribbles inside the half court. One or two players are it and try to tag others while keeping their own dribble. Anyone who is tagged or loses their ball becomes it.
Cone dribbling drill
This cone dribbling drill sets cones in a zig-zag from half court to the basket.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsTwo line layup drill
The two line layup drill, usually called layup lines, is the warm-up most teams run before practice and games.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsKnockout
Players line up at the free throw line and the first two players each have a ball. If the player behind you makes before you do, you are out. Move the line closer to the basket for this age.
Basketball drills for 9 and 10 year olds
Players are ready for more footwork, passing, and their first team concepts. Many leagues move to a regulation 10-foot hoop around this age, and USA Basketball recommends a 9-foot hoop through age 11.
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.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsPartner passing drill
The partner passing drill is one of the first basketball passing drills most coaches teach.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsZig zag drill
The zig zag drill is a full-court defensive slide drill.
Animated diagram and coaching points3 on 2 2 on 1 drill
The 3 on 2 2 on 1 drill is a continuous full-court fast break drill.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsBasketball drills for 11 to 14 year olds
Middle school and junior high players can run full-court drills and learn team defense. Keep adding competition and game-speed reps.
Three man weave drill
The three man weave drill (often called the 3 man weave) is a full-court passing drill.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsShell drill
The shell drill is a 4-on-4 half-court drill that teaches team defense.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsCloseout drill
A closeout is how a defender gets from help position to a player who just caught the ball.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsHow to run a youth basketball practice
Plan every minute before you get to the gym, and keep each drill short. For young players, five to eight minutes per activity is about right. Write the plan on a card and have the next drill ready so there is no standing around between them.
Keep lines short and use as many balls as you can. A line of ten kids waiting for one layup is where practices lose energy. Split into small groups at every basket, or pair players up and give each pair a ball.
End with a game or a scrimmage. Kids come back excited when practice finishes with something fun, and a short scrimmage shows you which skills to work on next time.
Youth basketball drills FAQ
What are good basketball drills for kindergarteners?
Games work best at this age. Red light green light dribbling, Sharks and minnows, and form shooting at a low hoop all keep kids moving and give them a lot of touches with the ball.
How long should a youth basketball practice be?
Most youth practices run 60 to 90 minutes. For players under 8, an hour is usually plenty. Older players can go longer as long as the drills keep moving.
What should I teach first in youth basketball?
Start with dribbling with both hands, the layup, form shooting close to the basket, and basic passing. Add defensive stance and simple team concepts once players are comfortable with the ball.
What hoop height should young kids use?
USA Basketball recommends an 8-foot hoop for ages 7 and 8, a 9-foot hoop for ages 9 to 11, and the regulation 10-foot hoop from age 12. Many leagues move to 10 feet sooner, so check your league rules. A lower hoop lets kids shoot with good form.
Draw your own drills
Put players on the court, draw the drill step by step, and send it to your team or assistant coaches before practice.