Kids can always have fun playing basketball. To get better as an individual player, though, skill development is the best way. Performing basketball skill drills will solidify the correct fundamentals for kids when it comes to shooting, dribbling, defending, rebounding and passing. Though basketball skill drills are all about teaching, kids still have fun doing them when coaches make the drills fast-paced and allow the kids to try the drills and learn that way instead of just listening to directions. Repetition is the best way to cement the fundamentals learned in basketball skill drills.
Figure 8 Drill
Taking a dribble between the legs not only helps kids switch directions when dribbling on the run, but also provides a degree of showmanship that kids are sure to like. The Figure 8 dribbling drill from Bestbasketballdrills.com teaches the basic principles of the between-the-legs dribble, starting by standing with feet shoulder width apart and one leg ahead of the other with knees bent. To complete the drill, you dribble the ball with your right hand around the outside of your right foot, then bounce the ball between your legs from behind. You should receive the ball in front of you with your left hand, and then dribble backward around the outside of your left foot before bringing the ball back to the center. The website recommends doing the drill for 60 seconds, then taking a 30-second break in between tries. Also, you can try to speed up the drill once you get better at it.
3 on 1 Defensive Rotations
Drills that teach defensive fundamentals usually also entail cardiovascular exercise. The 3 on 1 Defensive Rotations drill found on the Basketball Playbook website will teach three different defensive techniques in one drill and will also help build cardiovascular endurance. The drill starts with three offensive players all standing on the three-point line, one in the center of the arc and the other two equidistant from the center player, about halfway around the line. The player on the far right skips a bounce pass to the player on the far left and the defender must run from his starting position on the baseline and cut off the ball handler's attempt to drive to the baseline. The offensive player will then pass the ball backward to the player at the middle of the court and the defender must sprint to that player and get in position to prevent a dribble drive up the middle of the key. The ball gets passed to the player on the right wing and the defender must sprint to stop the ball handler's drive to the basket, utilizing the correct angle.
Elbow to Elbow
The Elbow to Elbow trill solidifies proper shooting technique in addition to simulating the fatigue associated with playing in a game. According to the Basketball Plays and Drills website, you have a partner stand under the basket and you move to the elbow on the left or right side of the floor. The partner bounce passes you the ball and you make sure to square your body up and get in a proper position to take the shot. After you shoot, sprint to the halfcourt line and sprint right back to the other elbow and receive the pass before shooting. Make sure to use proper technique for each shot when you are tired.
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