"FREE Basketball Drills & Games"

At the bottom of this page, we have some fun basketball drills that all players will enjoy.

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Shooting Drills
Passing Drills
Ball Handling Drills
Offense / Footwork Drills
Big Man Drills
Transition Drills
Defensive Drills
Rebounding Drills
Conditioning Drills

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Here are a Few Fun Basketball Drills and Games and Some Tips to Follow When Using the Drills

Basketball Drill #1 - Knockout

Drill Purpose

Your players will love this drill! This is a fun basketball drill to break up the monotony of practice while also helping your players deal with pressure situations, namely, free throws late in the game. Hitting free throws down the stretch can be the difference between a win and a loss.

Instructions

Line your players up at the free throw line in single file. Give the first two players in the line a basketball.
On your whistle, the first player in line will shoot a free throw. If they make it, they will retrieve the ball and pass it to the next person in line without a basketball. If they miss, they must retrieve the ball and make a lay-up.
The next player in line is allowed to shoot a free throw as soon as the previous player's ball hits the rim or goes through the net. If the previous player misses, the next player is attempting to make a free throw (or rebound shot) before that player makes their rebound shot.
If the scenario in step 3 occurs, the previous player has to sit out for the rest of the drill.
This process continues until only one player remains.

Points of Emphasis

Continually tell your players to...

Stay behind the free throw line before shooting.
Wait until the ball hits the rim on the free throw before going to rebound it.
Avoid rushing too much to prevent ruining your shooting mechanics.

Motivation / Teaching Tips

Tip #1 - This drill is a great way to keep your players from getting bored. Use this drill as a break from some of the more necessary, tedious parts of practice.

Tip #2 - Set up a situation for them - for example, if a player makes this free throw, tell them there will be no running at the end of practice - just to put a little added pressure on the individuals.

Tip #3 - If you notice some of your players starting to cheat, (shooting in front of the free throw line, knocking another player's ball away) make them sit out until the next game.

Tip #4 - Have fun!

Basketball Drill #2 - King of the Court

Drill Purpose

This is a tremendous drill that teaches players to keep their head up & look around the court while dribbling.

Instructions

Have the players spread across the half of the court.
Players should try to knock the ball away from the other players.
If a player loses control of the basketball or another player touches their basketball, the player is then eliminated from the game.
When eliminated, the players go to the other half of the court and work on ball-handling drills
As players are eliminated or certain amount of time passes, make the boundaries smaller.

Points of Emphasis

Continually tell your players to...

You want to make sure the players are using proper dribbling form. No carrying the ball, traveling, double-dribbling, etc. Make sure they are dribbling with their finger-tips (not with their palm), protecting the ball with the opposite arm, and scanning the court with their head up.

Motivation / Teaching Tips

Tip #1 - If a player, double dribbles, travels, etc., he is also eliminated. You want the players to practice the right way, so players do not develop or continue with bad habits.

Tip #2 - As a coach, you always want your ball-handlers to be "strong with the ball," because every little bump is not going to be called during a game. As a result, I allow some bumping during this drill. This will get players use to game-like situations where a foul may be missed or not called. By no means, do I mean that you should allow a player to tackle or even give a moderate shove to another player. This will cause a player to get injured and is not the right way to play the game. Make sure to let the players know that there is no fouling, and you can judge the amount of bumping or fouling you allow.

For more drills check out 57 Basketball Drills for Kids