Basic Basketball Drills For Beginners

Basketball is a game of skill and coordination. As a result, it can be difficult for young players to learn how to master the game. However, coaches can help their players by giving them drills that help them develop the various aspects of their game. All players must learn how to handle the ball, play defense, pass, rebound and shoot.

Ball Handling

Players need to have basic ball-handling skills or opposing defenses will swarm and attack in an attempt to take the ball. Players need to dribble with both hands and learn to keep their head up when they are dribbling. Set up five cones four feet apart just past midcourt. Have players dribble to the right of the first cone, the left of the second, the right of the third cone and continue in that manner. Then have players return dribble to midcourt while going around the cones. Successfully negotiating this drill helps them become players who can function on the court.

Shooting

Players who can shoot and score are valuable to their team in basketball. While other aspects of the game are important, teams that can't score efficiently can't win games. Shooting drills that emphasize skills such as hand placement on the ball, good lift on the jump, a strong follow-through and a quick release are effective. Practice your shooting skills by taking five shots from the right baseline, the right elbow, the top of the key, the left elbow and the left baseline.

Defense

A basic skill in playing defense is knowing how to move properly when guarding an opponent. Players have to learn to shuffle their feet and not cross their ankles. Crossing your ankles leads to losing touch with your opponent and not playing adequate defense. The coach will stand across midcourt while the players are opposite him. When he moves his hands to his left--the players' right--they will shuffle to the right. When he moves his hands in the opposite direction, the players move that way as well. This drill helps players learn to shuffle correctly.

Teamwork

Few concepts in basketball are more important than that of teamwork. Coaches can emphasize teamwork through passing. You don't have to be a superstar to make a contribution, but you do have to know how to pass the ball. To focus on passing, the coach can run a passing drill in which three players must pass the ball while running up court. The ball cannot touch the ground. The drill ends with one of the three players getting a layup.

Expert Insight

Playing defense and being able to handle the ball adequately may be the two most important aspects for a young basketball player. "We always try to emphasize defense first," said former North Carolina coach Dean Smith. "Players who give the effort while playing defense and can handle the ball have a chance to get better if they keep working."