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Basketball drills

  • Everyone a ball, line up in a large circle.
  • Trainer shows the exercise, players follow:
    • Spread out, rolling the ball in an 8-shape between the legs
    • Roll the ball around your waist, head legs (change direction)
    • Dribble with left, right, change hands.
    • Dribble with the whole group (rhythm exercise, all in rhythm!)
    • Dribble between your legs
    • Dribble behind your back
    • Shot movement upwards (extend arm, point, catch)
    • Spreading stance (move the ball in an 8-shape without touching the ground)
    • Ball above your head, passing with fingertips from left to right


  • Players stand in a circle (max 5) and in the middle 1 pylon with a small circle around it.
  • One defender who is not allowed to enter the small circle and has to defend the pylon
  • The players around must play together to hit the pylon

All on 1 line (work up to middle line, run up to end line, repeat exercise every time)

  • 2 x jogging
  • Skipping legs
  • Heels against seat
  • Straighten back leg, bend front leg (straight ahead)
  • Extend the back leg, bend the front leg (sideways)
  • Crossing legs
  • Swinging arms
  • Sprint + step slide back

2 teams, 1 ball.

  • Depending on the size of the teams a half field or quarter field.
  • Dribbling allowed, players must pass to avoid being tapped with ball.
  • Tapping the player with the ball is a point, out of bounds/ or run point for the other side, 30 seconds without being tapped is a point.


Divide group into pairs.
Passing to the other side:

  • At the halfway line: player on the inside dribbles to the head of the bucket and passes to the player on the outside who scores with a layup/ shot (variation)
  • Player who has passed runs to the other sideline and receives outlet, passes back to the center line and again shot/layup
  • Important that they do not run during the pass and that the players change (inside and outside)

Wave for U12:

  • Three teams, 1 ball: pass and cross behind the player.
  • Do this slowly at first, U12 kids find this a difficult exercise. Focus on passing and running. Start together (half field lengthwise) and build up when it goes well.
  • Depending on the size of the group, divide the field.


Variant for when it goes well:

  • Finish with score and play 2x1 (the one who scores will defend),
  • Pay attention to outlet pass (ask for the ball on the sideline).


For U12 first explain well which lines are used.
Standard killer with line touching, executing with ball and different commands.

  • Slowly build up speed as a warming up,
  • Possibly let a player determine what the assignments are.
  • Do take a rest now and then.


Tasks:

  • Left to go, right back
  • Left/right (cross)
  • Backwards (2 times left, 2 times right)
  • Put the ball down (under ball back, pick up ball back and next line)
  • With press-ups (2x on the line), jumping, abs ect.


Depending on the size of the group choose an area (bucket for max 6)

  • Everyone a ball, dribble and tap the ball away from other players.
  • Ball away means pushing into the centre circle and back again.
  • If necessary, make it difficult with a second dribble (keep the ball alive!)

Triplets with a ball.

  • Trainer throws ball against the board, team must rebound and choose outlet.
  • Trainer blocks off one side so they have to pick and ask for the ball!
  • Outlet dribbles to the middle and 3X0 completes with a layup (pace.)


  • Depending on the level of the U12 explain: outlet, ask for the ball (hands), fill in lines and run attack.
  • Trainer can be disruptive at the 2x1, pay attention to left and right handed dribbling.


Games with different assignments/restrictions.
Pay attention to free running, not blind dribbling, good passing, pivoting, talking.

  • 3x3 without dribbling (1 basket)
  • with max 2 dribbles
  • Both teams lie on the back line (on stomach),
  • trainer puts ball in play via shot or bounce (quickly choose position, who will attack?)
  • just play to the 10 (end game)


Divide the group into pairs.

Passing to the other side:

  • First 2-groups fit around the whole field.
  • 3 meter distance, no running
  • Variant: at the halfway line:
    • Player on the inside dribbles to the head of the bucket and passes to the player on the outside who scores with lay-up/shot.
  • Player who has passed runs to the other sideline and receives outlet, passes back to the center line and again shot/layup
  • Left and right side


Important that they do not run during the pass and that the players change (inside and outside).


  • Divide the players into groups and give each player a number (equal groups).
  • Each group in a corner of the field and balls in the centre circle.
  • When the coach says your number, you run to the centre circle, grab a ball and you get 2 attempts to score (max 2 x 1 point for your group).
  • Games to the 10 for example and losers push up.
  • To keep the speed up, have several numbers run at the same time.