How to Help Kids Improve at Basketball

Helping a young person improve at basketball will take knowledge of the game, patience and the ability to teach. Basketball is a game that is made up of several fundamental movements that when put together form the basis for play. By teaching the basic fundamentals to young players, you will be equipping them with the skills necessary to be successful basketball players as they get older and begin playing at the higher levels.

Instructions

    • 1

      Focus on their dribbling. This skill is necessary for successful players and must be improved to the point of mastery to play at the high-school level. Work on dribbling skills by having the player dribble in place with each hand. Make sure they are not looking at the ball and that they are using their fingertips to control the dribble. Progress by having the player dribble while walking at a moderate pace. Have the player walk the length of the court while using their right hand, and then back using their left hand. Instruct the player to move at full speed once they feel comfortable walking at a moderate pace. Full-court dribbling is practiced at all levels of the game and will help the player improve through repetition.

    • 2

      Drill the basic types of passes. This basketball skill can not be overlooked, as it is the part of the game that accomplished players excel at. Start by standing 10 feet away from the player and instruct them to throw a chest pass to you. The player should throw the ball with both hands at their chest, and they should aim to hit you in your chest. Repeat this until they can throw the chest pass on target every time. Next, work on the bounce pass. The bounce pass has the same movement as a chest pass, but the ball hits the court midway between the player and you. The ball should start at the players chest and be thrown down at the court at a spot so that it bounces up and hits you in the chest. Work on the bounce pass until the player can hit you in the chest every time.

    • 3

      Work on shooting form and technique. Have the player stand about 5 feet from the front of the hoop. They must work on in-close shots before moving back to longer ones. Make sure the player is balanced, with both feet under their shoulders. The shooting elbow should be tucked into their side, not sticking out. Their eyes should be on the rim, not the ball, and the follow-through should be up, not out. Their hand should finish above the head on the follow-through, not out in front of the face.