Basketball Drills for Kids

Putting the Fun back in Fundamentals

Getting kids involve in sport from a young age is a great way to teach valuable teamwork skills and encourage exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.  While basketball may not seem like the most appropriate sport for kids, there are a number of youth basketball leagues springing up around the country.  The following basketball drills for kids help put the fun back in fundamentals.  

Twice the Fun 

This drill, called Twice the Fun, is great for teaching kids how to dribble.  Have each child take two balls, dribbling one in each hand.  After they have developed their coordination, have them dribble the balls without looking at them.  One easy was to accomplish this is to have the kids focus on a spot in the distance and concentrate on it.  See how long each kid can go without looking at the balls or dropping either ball.  If either occurs, they are out of the drill.  The last player dribbling is the winner.   

Red Light, Green Light

Many basketball drills for kids are rooted in schoolyard games, which make them easier to learn since most kids will already be at least somewhat familiar with them, like this drill, Red Light Green Light.  To begin the drill, players should be standing in a line at one end of the court.  Each player gets a ball.  The coach is standing at the other end of the gym.  

When the coach yells “green light”, players dribble their balls and begin walking towards the other end of the court.  They must stop immediately when the coach yells “red light”.  If a player either loses control of their ball, travels without dribbling or moves after the “red light” command, they must start again from the beginning.  The first player to reach the coach’s end of the court is the winner.  

Floor Scramble 

The next of the basketball drills for kids is known as Floor Scramble.  This drill for two players teaches quickness in either an offense or defense situation.  To begin, place a ball on the floor and have each player stand an equal distance from the ball on opposite sides with the backs towards the ball.  When the coach blows the whistle, each player must scramble towards the ball.  The one who picks it up first is the winner, and faces off against the next challenger.  

Pressure Shot 

Finally, we have the Pressure Shot drill, which teaches how to shoot in a high pressure situation.  At the beginning of the drill, three players stand in the key.  The coach tosses the ball up into the air, and each player must try to catch it.  The player who emerges victorious from the ball catching must shoot immediately while the other two players try to stop the shot from occurring.  The two defensive players are allowed to use any means necessary other than physical violence to block the shot.  The first player to sink a basket continues playing while the other two are replaced with two new players.