Youth Basketball Drills for Practice Plans
21 drills for U8–U14 teams, each with setup, steps, coaching points and an easier and harder version you can switch to mid-drill.
Every drill below fits into a block of a practice plan template. The ID (W = warm-up, B = ball handling, P = passing, S = shooting, D = defense, R = rebounding, T = team play) matches the sample plans on the 60-minute and 90-minute pages.
Choosing drills: pick ones that give every player a ball or keep lines to 3–4 players. A drill where kids wait more than 30 seconds for a turn usually needs splitting into two groups.
Warm-up
W1 · Line Jog Ladder
Setup: Players line up on the baseline in 3-4 lines.
- Jog to the free-throw line and back, then half court and back, then the far free-throw line and back.
- Second round: skip, then side shuffle, then backpedal on the same lines.
- Finish with one easy full-court jog.
Coaching points
- Eyes up, talk to the person next to you.
- Touch each line with a foot, not a hand.
Easier: Use only the near free-throw line and half court.
Harder: Add a ball and dribble each leg with the outside hand.
W2 · Mirror Slides
Setup: Partners face each other about an arm's length apart inside the lane.
- One player is the leader and slides left or right; the partner copies.
- Switch leader every 20 seconds.
- Run three rounds each.
Coaching points
- Feet wide, do not let heels click together.
- Hands active, chest up.
Easier: Leader only moves on a coach's clap.
Harder: Leader may also step forward or back; follower keeps the gap.
W4 · Red Light, Green Light Dribble
Setup: Everyone on the baseline with a ball. Coach stands at half court.
- 'Green light' = dribble forward. 'Red light' = jump stop, keep the ball protected.
- 'Yellow light' = dribble in place.
- Anyone who travels or loses the ball takes three steps back.
Coaching points
- Jump stop lands on two feet at the same time.
- Protect the ball with the off arm.
Easier: Allow two-hand pickup on red light.
Harder: Call 'switch' to make players change hands on the move.
W5 · Partner Pass and Jog
Setup: Pairs about 3 metres apart on the baseline, facing the far end.
- Jog side by side up the floor passing back and forth with two-hand chest passes.
- Return with bounce passes.
- Third trip: overhead passes.
Coaching points
- Lead your partner: throw to where they will be.
- Call your partner's name before you pass.
Easier: Walk instead of jog.
Harder: Finish each trip with a layup at the far basket.
W6 · Freeze Tag Dribble
Setup: Use half court. Pick two taggers without a ball (or with pinnies).
- Everyone dribbles inside the area; tagged players freeze holding the ball overhead.
- A teammate frees them by dribbling around them once.
- Change taggers every 60 seconds.
Coaching points
- Heads up to see open space.
- Change speed to escape, not just direction.
Easier: Make the area bigger, one tagger only.
Harder: Weak hand only.
Ball handling
B1 · Stationary Ball Series
Setup: Players spread out along the sideline, each with a ball.
- Pound dribble right hand 20 times, left hand 20 times.
- Low dribble below the knee, 15 each hand.
- Crossovers in front, 20 total.
- Finish with ball wraps around the waist, 10 each way.
Coaching points
- Fingertips, not the palm.
- Eyes on the coach: hold up fingers and players call the number.
Easier: Allow eyes on the ball for the first round.
Harder: Add between-the-legs and behind-the-back.
B2 · Cone Weave
Setup: Set 5 cones in a line about 2 metres apart from the baseline.
- Dribble through cones using the hand farther from the cone.
- Switch hands as you pass each cone.
- Dribble back to the line on the outside.
Coaching points
- Ball stays on the outside of your body away from the cone.
- Stay low through each change.
Easier: Spread cones farther apart.
Harder: Use a crossover, then between-the-legs, at each cone.
B3 · Speed Dribble Relay
Setup: Teams line up on the baseline.
- First player speed-dribbles to half court, touches the line, dribbles back, hands off.
- Repeat until everyone has gone twice.
- Second race: weak hand only.
Coaching points
- Push the ball out in front.
- Hand the ball off, do not throw it.
Easier: Go to the free-throw line instead of half court.
Harder: Require a layup at the far basket.
B6 · Change of Pace Lines
Setup: Lines on the baseline.
- Dribble at half speed to the free-throw line extended.
- Explode to full speed to half court.
- Slow again, then explode to the far free-throw line.
Coaching points
- The change in speed beats defenders, not the move.
- Lower your hips before you explode.
Easier: Only one change of speed.
Harder: Add a hesitation dribble before each burst.
B7 · Sharks and Minnows
Setup: Minnows with balls on one baseline; 1-2 sharks at half court without balls.
- On 'go', minnows dribble to the far baseline without losing the ball.
- Sharks try to knock balls away; those minnows become sharks.
- Play until 2-3 minnows remain.
Coaching points
- Use your body to shield the ball.
- Look for gaps, then go.
Easier: Sharks must keep hands behind their back and only use feet to cut off.
Harder: Minnows must use their weak hand.
Passing
P1 · Partner Passing Series
Setup: Partners face each other 3-4 metres apart.
- 10 chest passes, 10 bounce passes, 10 overhead passes.
- Receiver shows a target with both hands.
- Take one step back after each set.
Coaching points
- Step toward your target as you pass.
- Thumbs finish pointing down.
Easier: Stand closer; two-hand bounce passes only.
Harder: One-hand push passes with each hand.
P2 · Monkey in the Middle
Setup: Two passers about 4 metres apart, one defender between them.
- Passers must pivot and fake before passing past the defender.
- No lob passes over the head.
- When the defender touches the ball, the passer who threw it moves to the middle.
Coaching points
- Fake high, pass low (or the reverse).
- Use your pivot foot to create a passing angle.
Easier: Defender keeps one hand behind the back.
Harder: Add a 3-second limit to pass.
P5 · Pass and Cut Give-and-Go
Setup: One line at the wing, a coach or player at the top as passer.
- Wing passes to the top.
- Wing takes one step away, then cuts hard to the basket.
- Top returns a bounce pass for a layup.
Coaching points
- Cut with a hand up as a target.
- Bounce pass leads the cutter.
Easier: Stationary layup pass from short distance.
Harder: Add a defender who starts behind the cutter.
Shooting
S1 · Form Shooting Close
Setup: Partners at each basket, starting 1-2 metres in front of the rim.
- One-hand shots only: balance, elbow under, follow through.
- Make 5, then take one step back.
- Partner rebounds and passes back.
Coaching points
- Hold the follow-through until the ball lands.
- Feet shoulder-width, toes to the rim.
Easier: Lower baskets or smaller balls where available.
Harder: Add the guide hand and shoot from the block both sides.
S2 · Layup Lines
Setup: Shooting line at the right wing, rebounding line at the right corner.
- Shooter dribbles in and takes a right-hand layup.
- Rebounder catches and passes to the next shooter.
- Players switch lines. After 3 minutes, move to the left side.
Coaching points
- Right side: right hand, jump off the left foot.
- Use the top corner of the square on the board.
Easier: Start from a two-step position without dribbling.
Harder: Add a 'reverse' layup from the baseline.
S3 · Mikan Drill
Setup: Player stands under the basket.
- Right-hand layup off the right side, catch it out of the net.
- Step across, left-hand layup off the left side.
- Repeat for 30 seconds; count makes.
Coaching points
- Keep the ball high, never bring it to the waist.
- Soft touch off the glass.
Easier: Two hands allowed.
Harder: Add a reverse layup version.
Defense
D2 · Zig-Zag Slides
Setup: Dribbler and defender start on the baseline at one corner, using half the width of the court.
- Dribbler zig-zags slowly up the floor.
- Defender slides to stay in front, turning at each change.
- Swap roles on the way back.
Coaching points
- Push off the back foot, lead with the front.
- Head stays level with the ball.
Easier: Defender keeps hands behind the back.
Harder: Dribbler goes at game speed.
Rebounding
R2 · Toss and Chase
Setup: Line in front of the basket.
- Player tosses the ball off the backboard.
- Jumps, grabs it with two hands, lands on two feet.
- Chins the ball, then outlet passes to the next player.
Coaching points
- Two hands, strong grip.
- Elbows out after landing.
Easier: Toss and catch without jumping.
Harder: Add a second player who contests the rebound.
Team play
T2 · Spacing Freeze
Setup: Five offence spread on half court, no defence.
- Pass around the perimeter.
- Coach yells 'freeze'.
- Players check: are we at least 3-4 big steps apart? Fix spacing, then continue.
Coaching points
- Fill empty spots.
- Do not stand next to the ball unless setting a screen.
Easier: Use floor spots or cones as markers.
Harder: Add defenders who can only deny passes.
T3 · Controlled Scrimmage
Setup: Two teams; half or full court.
- Play normal rules with the coach as referee.
- Coach stops play briefly to teach the week's focus.
- Rotate subs every 2-3 minutes.
Coaching points
- Praise the week's skill when it happens.
- Keep stoppages short: under 20 seconds.
Easier: 3-on-3 half court with more touches each.
Harder: Bonus point for a play that shows the week's focus.
T4 · Team Shot Challenge
Setup: Use all baskets. Coach sets a target number of makes.
- Everyone shoots from their own spot at any basket.
- Count makes out loud as a team.
- Reach the target before the time runs out.
Coaching points
- Mix in short shots so everyone can score.
- Great to end practice on a high.
Easier: Low target, close shots only.
Harder: Only free throws count.
Get all 40 drill cards
- Printable PDF (32 pages): 60, 75 and 90-minute templates, a custom template, season planner and skill-progress grid
- All 40 drill cards with setup, steps, coaching points and easier/harder versions
- Eight complete 60-minute plans for your first eight weeks, with notes on stretching them to 75 or 90 minutes
- Editable XLSX workbook: type a start time and every block updates; drill IDs fill in automatically; attendance sheet