When coaching youth basketball, the goal isn’t just to win games—it’s to build habits, teach fundamentals, and help young players fall in love with the game.

That starts with practices that are fun, engaging, and focused on skill development.

Whether you’re coaching 3rd graders or middle schoolers, these 10 drills will help your players build confidence, improve their skills, and learn how to play the game the right way.

Let’s get into it.

🏀 1. Zig-Zag Dribbling

Focus: Ball-handling, control, change of direction
How It Works:
Players dribble from baseline to baseline in a zig-zag pattern using crossovers, behind-the-back, or spin moves. Encourage eyes up and controlled dribbles.

💡 Coaching Tip: Add cones for visual cues and challenge them with weak-hand only dribbling.

🎯 2. Form Shooting

Focus: Shooting fundamentals, footwork, follow-through
How It Works:
Players start close to the basket and work on shooting with perfect form—elbow in, wrist snap, balanced feet. Use 1-hand shooting to isolate mechanics.

💡 Coaching Tip: Use the “swish only” rule to emphasize soft touch and accuracy.

🤝 3. Partner Passing

Focus: Chest, bounce, and overhead passes
How It Works:
Pairs of players pass back and forth with different types of passes. Add movement or a “pass + pivot” to make it more game-like.

💡 Coaching Tip: Emphasize stepping into passes and calling out the receiver’s name.

🏃‍♂️ 4. Layup Lines With Decision-Making

Focus: Finishing, spacing, awareness
How It Works:
Standard layup lines—but players must make a read at the rim (e.g., finish right, euro step, or jump stop based on a coach’s hand signal or cone placement).

💡 Coaching Tip: Encourage both-hand finishes for balanced development.

📣 5. Shell Drill (Basic)

Focus: Defensive positioning, help side, communication
How It Works:
4 defenders vs. 4 offensive players (no dribbling). Teach defensive slides, closing out, and help/recover. Rotate every few possessions.

💡 Coaching Tip: Keep the instructions simple—deny one pass away, help two passes away.

🚀 6. 3-Man Weave

Focus: Passing on the move, teamwork, communication
How It Works:
Three players advance the ball up the court with quick passes and constant movement, finishing with a layup or jumper.

💡 Coaching Tip: Make it competitive by tracking makes and mistakes.

🎲 7. Numbers Game (1-on-1 Closeouts)

Focus: Reaction, footwork, defense
How It Works:
Two players start on the baseline. Coach rolls out a ball and calls one number. That player becomes the defender and closes out on the ball, while the other attacks.

💡 Coaching Tip: Teach choppy steps, hands up, and proper angles during the closeout.

🧱 8. Rebounding War

Focus: Box outs, toughness, positioning
How It Works:
Group of 3 players—1 shooter, 2 rebounders. Ball goes up, and rebounders battle for position and the rebound. Rotate after a few reps.

💡 Coaching Tip: Reward effort and proper technique, not just who grabs the board.

🧠 9. Cut & Replace Drill

Focus: Movement without the ball, spacing
How It Works:
Offense runs a simple “pass and cut” pattern, with the cutter replaced by the next in line. Teaches players to move, fill spots, and stay spaced.

💡 Coaching Tip: Add a defender or live dribble later for progression.

🔥 10. Scrimmage With Constraints

Focus: Game play, decision-making
How It Works:
Play live 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5—but limit dribbles, enforce “3 passes before a shot,” or require weak-hand finishes. Helps players think and play with purpose.

💡 Coaching Tip: Use this to teach, not just play. Pause and coach teachable moments.

Final Thoughts

Youth players need reps, encouragement, and structure—but they also need room to explore and have fun. These 10 drills are designed to teach the fundamentals without killing the joy of the game.

Build habits now, and they’ll carry them for life.

Make sure every practice includes: ✅ Skill work
✅ Movement
✅ Competition
✅ Positive feedback
✅ FUN