Coaching Kids Basketball

When coaching kids basketball, the trick is coming up with a practice plan the keeps players engaged and interested in the task at hand while reinforcing the fundamental skills of the game like dribbling and shooting.  However, the trouble lies in the fact that repetitive drills are the best way to practice and perfect the skills of the game.  The solution is running a variety of drills each for a short time, and varying the drills and their order from one practice to the next.  

Coaching kids basketball can be trying on one’s patience, especially with very young kids.  If the kids are particularly displeased with a particular drill, move on to the next one.  That’s why it’s important to have a well-equipped arsenal of drills, such as these ones, that are so fun and engaging that your players won’t even have time to be bored.  

Hot Potato

This drill, which is a variation on the game “Hot Potato”, allows kids a chance to practice their passing skills.  Split your players into two teams, with each team aiming for opposite baskets.  Have players spread out all over the court.  One player begins at center with a ball.  They must pass to one of their teammates without dribbling the ball.  

Once the player receives the pass, they are allowed to take a maximum of two steps, counting their steps aloud, before passing the ball to another teammate, who in turns tries to pass it to someone close enough to the basket to make a shot.  The first team to score 10 baskets wins.  If a player exceeds the two step rule or dribbles the ball, one point is subtracted from their score.  

Heads Up! 

For the next drill, divide the team into pairs.  Each pair gets two basketballs (one for each player) and one wiffle ball.  Ping-pong balls can be substituted if wiffle balls are not available.  Have the players stand approximately 5 feet apart.  Players begin by dribbling the ball with their stronger hand.  Once a waist high dribble rhythm has been established, players start underhand passing the wiffle ball between them.  

If a player misses the wiffle ball, they must dribble over to it to retrive it.  The goal of this drill is to learn how to dribble without looking at the ball.  After 2-3 minutes, have your players switch dribbling hands.  

Clothes Pin Grab 

When coaching kids basketball, the emphasis doesn’t always have to be on the ball.  Running and agility are equally important in the game of basketball.  Try this drill to help players work on their agility and aggressiveness.  To begin, each player clips a clothes pin on either shoulder blade.  Give players a few seconds to spread out.  

At the sound of the coach’s whistle, players are to run and try to grab as many clothes pins as they can from their teammates.  The player with the most clothes pins at the end of the drill wins.  The reward can be anything from getting to choose the next drill to being a team captain for the next scrimmage match.