Basketball drills and plays for third- and fourth-graders are designed to help improve players' form and technique while on the basketball court. In addition, drills and plays help improve teamwork and chemistry between the players on your team. Because your team is so young, the offensive and defensive plays you can run will be limited, but forcing your players to execute a basic offense will help your team win.
Keep Away Drill
This drill will improve passing and stealing abilities. Have three players stand in a triangle formation, with one player at the foul line and the other two on opposite sides of the foul lane. Have three additional players stand in front of the offensive players and play defense. On your whistle, have the player at the foul line pass the ball to one of his teammates. Each player has five seconds to pass the ball to a teammate. If the ball is stolen, lost, or more than five seconds passes, the team lose 1 point. Each successful pass earns the team 1 point. Perform the drill for two minutes.
Two-Three Zone Defense Play
This defensive play will help your team play solid defense without any players getting mixed up with respect to whom they must guard. Have your two smallest players stand on opposite sides of the key. Have another player stand just in front of the rim and the final two on opposite sides of where the baseline meets the foul line. Instruct each player to guard her particular section of the court, not worrying about specific players but only about the zones she is guarding. Have them run the play each time they are on defense. The weakness of a two-three zone is that it leaves open long-range jump shots, but those shots are difficult for players this young.
Fingertip Drill
This fingertip drill will help your players improve their touch and feel while on the court. Have one player stand with her knees slightly bent and a ball in hand. Have her bring the ball up, holding it in front of her head with both hands. On your mark, have her slowly pass the ball back and forth between her fingertips. As she improves, have her increase the speed with which she performs this drill.
Wave Bye Drill
This drill will teach your players proper hand form and position while shooting a basketball. Have one player stand with his arms at his sides. Instruct him to extend his dominant hand up, spreading his fingers as far as they can go. After holding this for several seconds, have him relax his hand. The position that his hand relaxes in should be a proper shooting cup. From here, pass him a ball and have him take a close-range shot with his hand in this relaxed position. Have him repeat until fatigued.
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