Fun Basketball Drills for Kids

The idea behind basketball drills at the youth level is to develop fundamental skills. While all drills are designed to improve basketball abilities, team drills can also build a sense of cohesiveness between players, while individual drills can develop self-confidence in areas like ball handling. Perhaps most important, however, is that the drills are fun. When children are having fun, practice seems more like a game and less like a chore. At the youth level, basketball should never feel like a chore.

  1. The Weave

    • The weave is a simple drill that is usually introduced to players at elementary-school age. The drill begins with three players spaced out across the floor at half court. The player in the middle starts with the ball and passes to the player on the right or left. The passer then runs behind the player who received the ball. The player who received the ball passes to the third player, then runs behind him. The third passer then makes a bounce pass for a layup to the player that started with the ball.

      This drill can also be practiced in a full-court manner. The simple rule is pass and then go behind. At full speed, the players appear to weave down the court. The primary objective of this drill is to develop passing skills and a feel for spacing on the court.

    Tip Drill

    • In theory, the tip drill is one of the simplest team basketball drills created. However, in application it can be quite difficult. The drill gets easier as the players get older, but it is still fun to practice at young ages. The team lines up in single-file at the elbow (corner of the foul line). The first player approaches the basket and tosses the ball off the backboard. The second player follows closely behind and taps the ball off the backboard with both hands, followed by the third player in line and so forth.

      After tapping the ball, a player returns to the back of the line. If the team is large, this drill becomes more fun by splitting players into two groups, with one at each elbow. The idea behind this drill is to develop rebounding skills, ball and body control, and also teamwork. With smaller groups, the drill also serves as a good conditioning workout, as players hustle back into line.

    Figure-Eight Sprints

    • The figure-eight sprinting drill is a useful team-building exercise at practice, or a great individual ball-handling exercise at home. A player starts with the basketball in one hand. Taking a stride, the player passes the ball through her legs to the other hand. On the next stride, the player passes the ball back through her legs.

      Initially the drill should be taught as a walk, but as players become more familiar with the drill, it can lead to team relay races. Each team starts at the baseline. The players take turns running the length of the court, passing the ball through their legs with each stride. As players get better at the drill, they should be encouraged to sprint and look forward, rather than with their head down and focused on the ball.