How to Teach Basketball to Eight-Year-Old Kids

The skills involved with basketball can be taught to children in grade school as a way of introducing them to the game. Introducing basketball at such a young age can help to ensure that the skills become second nature by the time the players hit their teenage years. Focusing on the fundamentals of basketball when teaching will create a solid foundation that can be built upon as the children get bigger and stronger.

Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce the different types of passes. The three main passes used in basketball are the chest pass, bounce pass and over-the-head pass. Stand 10-feet away from the 8-year-old player and show him how to execute the passes by passing him the ball and then letting him pass it back to you. A chest pass will start from your chest. The ball will be thrown by extending your arms out and throwing the ball to the chest of the other person. A bounce pass is the same as the chest pass but will be bounced on the ground midway between you and the target. An over-the-head pass will be thrown by placing two hands on the ball above your head and throwing it at the intended target.

    • 2

      Work on shooting the ball. Start by standing close to the basket. Depending on the strength of the 8-year-old, the basket may need to be lowered from the standard 10 feet to a position that the player is comfortable with. Concentrate on the form of the shooter and not whether the ball goes in the basket. Tell the 8-year-old that she should be balanced with her feet under her shoulders and her shooting-arm elbow tucked into her body. Tell her she should focus on the basket rim and follow through with her shooting hand. The position of the follow-through hand --- or the position after she throws the ball --- should be above the head, not in front of her face.

    • 3

      Practice dribbling the ball. Introduce the concept of dribbling by letting the player use his dominant hand to dribble while standing in place. Have the player focus on keeping his head up and using his fingertips to control the ball, not the palms. Progress by allowing the player to use his nondominant hand to dribble in place. Once comfortable dribbling in place the player can begin to walk slowly while dribbling the ball. Keep practicing until the player builds up to the point where he is comfortable dribbling while jogging.