Overview
In order to help young basketball players learn the game, it's best to break up practices with drills that help them increase their skills. Most young players need help with dribbling, so dribbling drills will bring about confidence and enjoyment in the game. Drills will help players learn that competition is a big part of the game and it is something to be enjoyed.
Dribble Tag
Step 1
Place players at 10 different spots fairly close together in the offensive side of the court. Have the player with the ball come dribbling over half court at a fairly high rate of speed.
Step 2
Instruct the player to tag one of his teammates while maintaining control of the ball. Since he has his choice of 10 different players to tag, he can come at one player and at the last minute veer off and tag another. Players can either run away from their teammate with the ball or attempt to knock the ball away from the dribbler.
Step 3
Allow the new player who is tagged take charge of the game and do the same thing. Play the game for 8 to 10 minutes at a time.
Cone Drill
Step 1
Run the cone drill to improve dribbling skills. Set up five cones, each one 5 feet from the preceding cone.
Step 2
Instruct one player to dribble with her right hand to go past the first cone, her left hand to go around the second, her right hand to go around the third and continue in this manner until she has gone past all five cones.
Step 3
Ask the player return to the start of the line in the same matter before passing to her teammate to do the same. Each player should get at least five trips through the cones during practice.
Baseline Conditioning Drill
Step 1
Line the players up on the baseline.
Step 2
Instruct players to run to the near free throw line and back, the midcourt line and back, the far free throw line and back and the far baseline and back.
Step 3
Award a prize to the player who finishes first. This baseline drill is a great way to close a practice. Your players will be tired but it will show them that they need to have energy in the tank at the end of games.
In order to help young basketball players learn the game, it's best to break up practices with drills that help them increase their skills. Most young players need help with dribbling, so dribbling drills will bring about confidence and enjoyment in the game. Drills will help players learn that competition is a big part of the game and it is something to be enjoyed.
Dribble Tag
Step 1
Place players at 10 different spots fairly close together in the offensive side of the court. Have the player with the ball come dribbling over half court at a fairly high rate of speed.
Step 2
Instruct the player to tag one of his teammates while maintaining control of the ball. Since he has his choice of 10 different players to tag, he can come at one player and at the last minute veer off and tag another. Players can either run away from their teammate with the ball or attempt to knock the ball away from the dribbler.
Step 3
Allow the new player who is tagged take charge of the game and do the same thing. Play the game for 8 to 10 minutes at a time.
Cone Drill
Step 1
Run the cone drill to improve dribbling skills. Set up five cones, each one 5 feet from the preceding cone.
Step 2
Instruct one player to dribble with her right hand to go past the first cone, her left hand to go around the second, her right hand to go around the third and continue in this manner until she has gone past all five cones.
Step 3
Ask the player return to the start of the line in the same matter before passing to her teammate to do the same. Each player should get at least five trips through the cones during practice.
Baseline Conditioning Drill
Step 1
Line the players up on the baseline.
Step 2
Instruct players to run to the near free throw line and back, the midcourt line and back, the far free throw line and back and the far baseline and back.
Step 3
Award a prize to the player who finishes first. This baseline drill is a great way to close a practice. Your players will be tired but it will show them that they need to have energy in the tank at the end of games.
