Basketball Skills and Drills for Young Athletes
Simple, practical drills to help young players build dribbling, passing, shooting, footwork, defense, teamwork, and confidence.
Beginner Basketball Skills
For young players, start with the fundamentals: athletic stance, ball control, dribbling with both hands, passing and catching, layups, shooting close to the basket, defensive movement, and learning how to play with teammates.
At ages 6–9, success should come before complexity. Use smaller basketballs and lower goals whenever possible. Give every player plenty of opportunities to touch the ball.
Progression to Dribbling the Basketball
Dribbling is one of the first skills young basketball players need to feel comfortable and confident on the court.
For beginning players, the goal isn’t fancy moves. It is learning to control the basketball while keeping the head up and moving confidently.
Step 1: Hand Position & Body Setup
Athletic Stance: Feet should be about shoulder-width apart with knees bent and the body balanced.
Finger Pads, Not Palms: Players should control the basketball primarily with their fingertips and finger pads rather than slapping it with the palm.
Push the Ball: Teach players to push the basketball toward the floor rather than hitting or slapping it.
Protect the Ball: The non-dribbling arm can stay slightly bent and away from the body to help protect the basketball.
Step 2: Dribbling Progression
1. Pound Dribbles
Players stand in one place and dribble with their dominant hand.
Start around waist height and gradually challenge players to dribble lower.
Try:
10 right-hand dribbles
10 left-hand dribbles
10 low dribbles
10 waist-high dribbles
2. Dribble & Freeze
Players dribble around the court. When the coach calls “FREEZE!” they stop immediately while maintaining control of the basketball.
This develops balance, listening skills, and ball control.
3. Walk, Dribble, Look Up
Players walk slowly while dribbling.
The coach holds up fingers, colored cards, or calls out directions. Players must identify what the coach is showing while continuing to dribble.
The goal is to gradually teach players to see the court instead of staring at the basketball.
Step 3: Fun Dribbling Drills
Red Light, Green Light: Players dribble on “green light” and stop under control on “red light.”
Dribble Tag: Players dribble inside a designated area while one or two players try to tag them. Everyone must maintain their dribble.
Cone Adventure: Set up cones throughout the court. Players dribble around them using either hand.
Dribble Race: Players race to a line and back while maintaining control. Emphasize control before speed.
Key Coaching Points
Eyes Up: Encourage players to look forward as much as possible.
Use Both Hands: Don’t allow young players to become completely dependent on their dominant hand.
Control Before Speed: A controlled dribble is more important than a fast dribble.
Keep It Low: When defenders are nearby, the basketball should stay around knee or thigh level.
Progression to Passing the Basketball
Passing teaches young athletes one of basketball’s most important lessons:
The ball moves faster than the player.
Young players should learn to pass accurately, catch securely, and move after making a pass.
Step 1: Passing & Catching Basics
Teach players three basic passes:
Chest Pass: Step toward the target and push the basketball from the chest toward the teammate’s chest.
Bounce Pass: Aim for the basketball to bounce approximately two-thirds of the way toward the receiver.
Overhead Pass: Hold the basketball above the forehead and pass toward the teammate without bringing it behind the head.
When catching, teach players to show the passer a target with their hands.
Step 2: Passing Progression
1. Partner Passing
Partners stand 5–6 feet apart.
Begin with chest passes.
After 10 successful passes, take one step farther apart.
Repeat with bounce passes.
2. Pass, Step, Catch
After passing, the player takes a step toward the teammate.
This introduces the idea that basketball players should move rather than stand still after passing.
3. Pass & Follow
Players stand in two lines facing each other.
The first player passes to the opposite line and then follows the pass, running to the back of that line.
This keeps everyone moving and introduces passing on the move.
Fun Passing Drills
Hit the Target: Place tape squares or targets on a wall. Players receive points for accurate passes.
Passing Relay: Teams pass the basketball down a line and back.
Keep Away: Three offensive players pass against one defender in a small area. Limit or eliminate dribbling so players must use passing and movement.
Key Coaching Points
Step Toward the Target.
Aim for the Teammate’s Chest.
Use Two Hands Whenever Possible.
Show Your Hands When You’re Ready to Catch.
Move After You Pass.
Progression to Shooting the Basketball
Young players often want to shoot from too far away.
For 6–9-year-olds, shooting instruction should begin close to the basket where players can use proper technique instead of throwing the basketball toward the goal with two hands.
Step 1: Shooting Foundation
A simple teaching cue is:
Feet – Eyes – Elbow – Follow-Through
Feet: Balanced and facing the basket.
Eyes: Focus on the target.
Elbow: Keep the shooting elbow comfortably underneath the basketball.
Follow-Through: Extend the shooting arm toward the basket and finish with the wrist relaxed.
A fun cue for the finish is:
“Reach into the cookie jar.”
Step 2: Shooting Progression
1. One-Hand Form Shooting
Players stand only a few feet from the basket.
Place the basketball in the shooting hand with the other hand lightly supporting the side.
Shoot gently toward the basket while emphasizing a high finish.
2. Add the Guide Hand
Once players understand the shooting motion, add the non-shooting hand to the side of the basketball.
The guide hand helps balance the ball but should not push it toward the basket.
3. Step Back Slowly
After making several shots with good form, the player takes one step backward.
If technique begins to break down, move closer again.
Never sacrifice good form just to shoot from farther away.
Fun Shooting Drills
Around the World: Place spots close to the basket. Players attempt a shot from each location.
Beat the Coach: Players receive a point for a made basket. The coach receives a point for a miss. First to five wins.
Swish Challenge: Give an extra point for a shot that goes through without touching the rim.
Team Shooting: Small teams attempt to make a certain number of baskets together.
Key Coaching Points
Start Close.
Don’t Rush.
Finish High.
Hold the Follow-Through.
Celebrate Good Form—even when the shot misses.
Progression to Layups
Layups can be difficult for young players because they require dribbling, footwork, jumping, and shooting at the same time.
Break the skill into pieces before putting everything together.
Step 1: Learn the Footwork Without a Ball
For a right-handed layup:
Right – Left – Up
Step with the right foot, then the left foot, and jump off the left foot while bringing the right knee upward.
For a left-handed layup:
Left – Right – Up
Practice the movement without a basketball until players become comfortable with the rhythm.
Step 2: Add the Basketball
1. One-Step Layup
Start beside the basket.
The player steps and shoots the ball softly off the backboard.
2. Two-Step Layup
Move slightly farther away and practice the complete two-step sequence.
3. Dribble Into the Layup
Once players understand the footwork, allow one or two dribbles before beginning the layup steps.
Fun Layup Drills
Backboard Box Challenge: Players earn points for hitting the correct area of the backboard.
Layup Ladder: Make one layup, move back one step, and try again.
Right Side/Left Side Challenge: Players alternate sides of the basket.
Key Coaching Points
Use the Backboard.
Jump Up Toward the Basket.
Keep Your Eyes on the Target.
Teach Both Sides Early.
Don’t worry if young players initially shoot every layup with their dominant hand. Build confidence first and gradually introduce the opposite hand.
Progression to Defensive Skills
Defense gives young players a way to contribute even when they aren’t scoring.
At this age, teach players how to stay between their opponent and the basket rather than focusing heavily on stealing the basketball.
Step 1: Defensive Stance
Teach players to:
Keep feet wider than shoulder-width.
Bend their knees.
Keep their chest up.
Stay balanced.
Keep their hands active.
A simple cue is:
“Sit in your invisible chair.”
Step 2: Defensive Movement
1. Mirror Drill
Partners face each other.
One player moves side-to-side while the defender tries to stay directly in front.
2. Defensive Slides
Players slide from sideline to sideline without crossing their feet.
3. Closeout & Freeze
The coach points to a location.
Players run toward it, slow down with short steps, raise their hands, and finish in a balanced defensive stance.
Fun Defensive Drills
Mirror Me: Players copy the coach’s movements.
Guard the Gate: Place two cones several feet apart. The defender tries to prevent the offensive player from dribbling through the gate.
Shadow Defense: One player dribbles slowly while a partner tries to stay between the dribbler and the basket.
Key Coaching Points
Stay Between Your Player and the Basket.
Move Your Feet Instead of Reaching.
Don’t Cross Your Feet When Sliding.
Defense Starts With Effort.
Progression to Rebounding
Rebounding is an excellent skill for young players because it teaches effort, positioning, toughness, and teamwork.
Step 1: Find the Player
When a shot goes up, players should first locate the offensive player they are guarding.
Step 2: Box Out
Teach players:
Find – Turn – Box – Get
Find your player.
Turn toward the basket.
Use your body to create space.
Go get the basketball.
Step 3: Grab With Two Hands
Teach players to jump toward the ball and secure it strongly with both hands.
After landing:
Chin the Ball.
Hold it firmly under the chin with elbows out naturally and look for a teammate.
Fun Rebounding Drills
Coach Toss: The coach tosses the basketball off the backboard and two players compete for the rebound.
Box-Out Circle: Players partner up inside a circle. One tries to reach a ball while the other practices maintaining legal box-out position.
Rebound & Outlet: A player rebounds the ball, turns away from pressure, and makes an outlet pass to a teammate.
Learning to Play as a Team
Young basketball players eventually need to connect individual skills to the game.
Instead of spending most of practice playing traditional 5-on-5 basketball, use smaller games.
Play More 1-on-1, 2-on-2, and 3-on-3
Small-sided games give every child more opportunities to:
Dribble
Pass
Shoot
Defend
Make decisions
Touch the basketball
Players can easily disappear in a 5-on-5 game. In 2-on-2 or 3-on-3, everyone has to participate.
Simple Team Concepts
Teach young players to:
Spread Out: Don’t all chase the basketball.
Pass & Move: After passing, move to an open space.
See the Ball: Players should know where the basketball is.
Help Teammates: Basketball is played together.
Attack Open Space: If nobody is guarding the path to the basket, dribble toward it.
Fun Basketball Games for Practice
Sharks & Minnows
Players dribble from one end of the court to the other while defenders try to knock basketballs away.
Dribble Knockout
Players dribble inside a designated area while protecting their own basketball and attempting to knock away another player’s ball.
Numbers Game
Divide players into two teams and give each player a number.
Place a basketball in the middle.
Call a number, and the matching player from each team races onto the court to play 1-on-1.
Later call two numbers for 2-on-2.
3-on-3 Mini Games
Use a half court and short games.
Consider awarding points for more than baskets:
1 point for a good pass
1 point for a rebound
1 point for great defense
1 point for helping a teammate
This teaches young athletes that basketball is about much more than scoring.
Coaching Tips for 6–9-Year-Old Basketball Players
Keep Lines Short: Long lines mean fewer repetitions. Use multiple baskets, stations, or small groups whenever possible.
Give Every Player a Ball: During dribbling practice, every child should have a basketball whenever equipment allows.
Use Smaller Equipment: A smaller basketball and lower basket allow children to learn proper technique instead of compensating for equipment that is too large.
Teach Both Sides: Practice dribbling, passing, and layups with both hands.
Limit Lectures: Explain quickly, demonstrate, and let them play.
Correct One Thing at a Time: Too many instructions overwhelm young players.
Praise Effort and Improvement: Recognize great passes, hustle, defense, teamwork, and smart decisions—not just made baskets.
Finish With Fun: End practice with a game or challenge players want to play again.
Coach Grammy Tip
Don’t measure a successful youth basketball practice by how many plays the players memorized or how many baskets they made.
Measure it by how many times they touched the basketball, tried a new skill, encouraged a teammate, and left the gym wanting to come back.
Lots of touches. Lots of movement. Lots of encouragement. That’s how young basketball players grow.