{"id":2233,"date":"2026-06-16T07:20:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T07:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/?p=2233"},"modified":"2026-06-16T07:20:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T07:20:18","slug":"basketball-drills-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Basketball Drills for Players Who Have Never Played"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coaching a team of six to twelve year olds who have genuinely never played is a specific challenge, and most drill lists you find online are written for kids who already have the basics. This one is not. These are basketball drills for beginners in the truest sense, for the kid who does not yet know which hand to dribble with, built to be run in order, with realistic rep counts and the exact mistake to watch for on each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is the honest truth that makes or breaks a beginner practice: young kids learn through reps and games, not through scrimmaging. The instinct to roll the ball out and let them play five on five is the fastest way to teach them nothing. Run these fourteen drills instead, keep your instructions short, and demonstrate far more than you explain. Before your first practice, it also helps to know what your league allows at each age, which our <a href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/youth-basketball-rules-by-age-group\/\">youth basketball rules<\/a> guide breaks down by group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#Dribbling_Progressions_4_Drills\" >Dribbling Progressions (4 Drills)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#Layup_Variations_3_Drills\" >Layup Variations (3 Drills)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#Defensive_Slides_and_Stance_3_Drills\" >Defensive Slides and Stance (3 Drills)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#Passing_Drills_3_Drills\" >Passing Drills (3 Drills)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#The_One_Conditioning_Drill_Kids_Actually_Like\" >The One Conditioning Drill Kids Actually Like<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#The_Order_to_Run_Them_and_a_Sample_Practice\" >The Order to Run Them and a Sample Practice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#The_Full_Drill_Reference\" >The Full Drill Reference<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#The_Short_Version\" >The Short Version<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dribbling_Progressions_4_Drills\"><\/span>Dribbling Progressions (4 Drills)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dribbling is where every beginner starts, and the single hardest habit to build is keeping the eyes up. Almost every young player stares at the ball, and a player who cannot look up cannot pass, shoot, or see a teammate. These four drills fix that in order, from standing still to moving under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/youth-basketball-drills-1024x572.jpeg\" alt=\"Young player dribbling a basketball with eyes up, the core habit of beginner dribbling drills\" class=\"wp-image-2236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/youth-basketball-drills-1024x572.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/youth-basketball-drills-300x167.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/youth-basketball-drills-768x429.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/youth-basketball-drills.jpeg 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Stationary Pound Dribble.<\/strong> Players stand still and dribble the ball hard, about waist high, one hand at a time, eyes looking straight ahead at you. Pounding it firmly teaches control far better than a soft, timid bounce, because a hard dribble comes back to the hand faster and is easier to keep. Run 30 seconds with each hand, twice. Watch for: eyes dropping to the ball. The fix that works every time is to hold up fingers and have them shout the number, so they physically cannot look down. Make it harder by having them dribble low, below the knee, which forces a faster, more controlled pound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Dribble Walk.<\/strong> Players dribble while walking across the court, then back while jogging. This is the first time they move and dribble at once, which is harder than it looks, because the ball now has to travel with them instead of bouncing in one spot. Run four lengths of the court, two with each hand. Watch for: slapping at the ball with a flat palm instead of pushing it with the finger pads. As they improve, have them change hands at half court, which previews the crossover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Cone Weave.<\/strong> Set five cones in a line and have players dribble through them, switching hands with a crossover at each cone. This builds change of direction and the basic crossover, the first real move most kids learn. Run three trips through the cones. Watch for: the ball bouncing too high on the crossover, which is how beginners lose it. Teach them to keep the crossover low and quick, ball below the waist. Speed it up only once they can finish a clean trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Red Light Green Light.<\/strong> On green, players dribble forward; on red, they stop the dribble under control and freeze without picking the ball up. It is a game, and it teaches control and stopping without anyone realizing they are drilling, which is exactly the point at this age. Play one round of about five minutes. Watch for: kids racing and losing the ball, which is your cue to remind them that control beats speed. Add a yellow light that means dribble backward to sharpen their handle even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Layup_Variations_3_Drills\"><\/span>Layup Variations (3 Drills)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The layup is the most common field goal in the game, and our <a href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-field-goal-explained\/\">field goal explainer<\/a> covers why it counts the same two points as a flashy dunk. For beginners, teach the simple version first and resist the urge to rush them to the fancy stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Two Foot Layup.<\/strong> From a jump stop right under the basket, players gather on two feet and lay the ball gently off the backboard. Starting with two feet skips the confusing footwork and gets them scoring early, which keeps them motivated and willing to keep practicing. Run five on each side of the rim. Watch for: throwing the ball hard at the backboard instead of laying it soft. Tell them to aim for the top corner of the painted square and to imagine setting the ball on a high shelf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. One Foot Layup.<\/strong> Now the real footwork: on the right side, step with the left foot and lift the right knee while shooting with the right hand, and mirror it on the left side. This is the most confusing drill on the list for young kids, so go slow, walk it through with no ball first, and let them say it out loud, step and lift. Run five on each side. Watch for: jumping off the wrong foot, the most common beginner error in all of basketball. If a kid keeps getting it wrong, stand beside them and have them match your steps in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Mikan Drill.<\/strong> Standing under the basket, players make a layup with the right hand, rebound their own miss or make, and immediately go up with the left, alternating continuously. It builds soft touch and both hands at once, and it is the single best drill for teaching a kid to finish with the weak hand. Run for one minute or ten total makes. Watch for: drifting too far from the rim and rushing the shots. Keep them close enough to touch the net and remind them that smooth beats fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Defensive_Slides_and_Stance_3_Drills\"><\/span>Defensive Slides and Stance (3 Drills)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Defense is unglamorous and beginners resist it, so keep these short and energetic and never use them as punishment. The base is everything, and a kid who learns to sit in a low stance early will defend well for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Defensive Stance Holds.<\/strong> Players get into a stance, knees bent, backside low, feet wider than the shoulders, hands active and out. Then they simply hold it while you count. It is harder than it sounds and builds the leg base that everything else depends on. Run three holds of twenty seconds. Watch for: standing up too tall and bringing the feet together. Walk the line and gently tap a shoulder to remind them to sink lower, since they will drift upright the moment they stop thinking about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Defensive Slides.<\/strong> From that stance, players slide side to side across the lane, pushing off the trailing foot, without ever crossing their feet or clicking their heels together. Run four trips across and back. Watch for: crossing the feet, which is the exact habit that gets beginners beaten off the dribble in a real game. Start slow and smooth, and only add speed once the footwork stays clean, because fast and sloppy teaches nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. Mirror Drill.<\/strong> Pair players up. One holds a ball and shuffles slowly side to side, and the partner stays in front of them like a mirror, moving the feet to match without reaching. Run two rounds of thirty seconds, then switch roles. Watch for: reaching and swiping at the ball instead of moving the feet, which you must correct early before it becomes a habit that draws fouls. Tell defenders their job is to stay in front, not to steal, and praise good footwork louder than steals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Passing_Drills_3_Drills\"><\/span>Passing Drills (3 Drills)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passing is the most social skill and the one kids enjoy most, because it always involves a partner and instant feedback. Use that energy, and teach them early that the pass is what turns five individuals into a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>11. Chest Pass.<\/strong> Partners stand about ten feet apart and pass chest to chest, stepping toward the target and snapping the wrists so the thumbs end up pointing down and out. Run twenty passes per pair. Watch for: pushing the ball from the chest with no step, which leaves the pass weak and floaty and easy to steal. Cue them with step, push, thumbs down, and widen the partners a few feet once the passes get crisp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12. Bounce Pass.<\/strong> Same partners, but the ball bounces about two thirds of the way to the receiver so it comes up around waist height for an easy catch. Run twenty passes. Watch for: bouncing the ball too close to themselves, which makes it arrive too high and handcuffs the receiver. Mark a target spot on the floor with tape so they can see exactly where the ball should land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13. Pass and Move.<\/strong> Three players, one defender in the middle, the outside two passing around the defender and then moving to a new spot after every single pass. This adds light pressure and teaches the most ignored beginner habit of all, which is do not stand still after you pass. Run about five minutes and rotate the defender often. Watch for: players freezing in place after a pass instead of cutting to open space. Say it on every rep, pass and move, until it becomes automatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_One_Conditioning_Drill_Kids_Actually_Like\"><\/span>The One Conditioning Drill Kids Actually Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is the honest part about conditioning at this age: do not run punishment laps. Nothing kills a young player&#8217;s love of the game faster than lines and suicides, and they do not build much fitness anyway at six to twelve years old. Disguise the conditioning inside a game instead, and the kids will run twice as hard without ever complaining.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/beginner-basketball-practice-1024x572.jpeg\" alt=\"Kids playing a dribbling tag game across a gym during a fun basketball conditioning drill\" class=\"wp-image-2235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/beginner-basketball-practice-1024x572.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/beginner-basketball-practice-300x167.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/beginner-basketball-practice-768x429.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/beginner-basketball-practice.jpeg 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>14. Sharks and Minnows.<\/strong> The minnows line up on the baseline, each with a ball, and dribble across to the far line while two or three sharks without basketballs try to knock their dribble away. A minnow who loses the ball, or whose ball gets swatted, becomes a shark for the next round. As the sharks multiply, the surviving minnows have to dribble through heavier and heavier traffic, which is exactly the pressure a real game brings. It combines dribbling under pressure, conditioning, and pure fun, and kids will beg to play it again, which is the whole point. Run several rounds across about eight minutes. To split them into squads quickly for this and any other team game, a set of <a href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/custom-basketball-uniforms\/custom-basketball-reversible-uniforms\/\">reversible practice uniforms<\/a> makes sorting teams instant and keeps the practice moving instead of stalling while you count off kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Order_to_Run_Them_and_a_Sample_Practice\"><\/span>The Order to Run Them and a Sample Practice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Run the categories in the order above: dribbling first while they are fresh and focused, then layups, then defense, then passing, and finish with the conditioning game so practice ends on a high note. Ending on fun is not a small thing, it is the difference between kids who beg to come back and kids who quit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a sample 45 minute beginner practice that uses every category without overloading anyone:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"531\" src=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Graph-1024x531.png\" alt=\"warmup and dribbling 12\" class=\"wp-image-2234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Graph-1024x531.png 1024w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Graph-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Graph-768x399.png 768w, https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Graph.png 1264w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Sample 45 minute beginner practice breakdown showing minutes per skill: warmup and dribbling 12, conditioning game 10, passing 8, layups 8, defense 7<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice how dribbling and the conditioning game get the most time. That is deliberate. Dribbling is the foundation everything else is built on, and the game at the end is what they will remember. Defense gets the least, not because it is unimportant, but because beginners can only absorb so much of it before they tune out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Full_Drill_Reference\"><\/span>The Full Drill Reference<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is every drill in one place to print and pin to your clipboard:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>#<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Drill<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Skill<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Reps or Time<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Watch For<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Stationary Pound Dribble<\/td><td>Dribbling<\/td><td>30 sec each hand, twice<\/td><td>Eyes dropping to the ball<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Dribble Walk<\/td><td>Dribbling<\/td><td>4 lengths, two each hand<\/td><td>Slapping instead of pushing<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Cone Weave<\/td><td>Crossover<\/td><td>3 trips<\/td><td>Ball bouncing too high<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Red Light Green Light<\/td><td>Control<\/td><td>1 game, 5 min<\/td><td>Racing and losing control<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Two Foot Layup<\/td><td>Finishing<\/td><td>5 each side<\/td><td>Throwing it too hard<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>One Foot Layup<\/td><td>Footwork<\/td><td>5 each side<\/td><td>Wrong foot takeoff<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>Mikan Drill<\/td><td>Both hands<\/td><td>1 min or 10 makes<\/td><td>Drifting out and rushing<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>Defensive Stance Holds<\/td><td>Stance<\/td><td>3 holds of 20 sec<\/td><td>Standing too tall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td>Defensive Slides<\/td><td>Lateral movement<\/td><td>4 trips<\/td><td>Crossing the feet<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Mirror Drill<\/td><td>Staying in front<\/td><td>2 rounds of 30 sec<\/td><td>Reaching instead of sliding<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11<\/td><td>Chest Pass<\/td><td>Passing<\/td><td>20 passes<\/td><td>No step into the pass<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>12<\/td><td>Bounce Pass<\/td><td>Passing<\/td><td>20 passes<\/td><td>Bouncing too close<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>13<\/td><td>Pass and Move<\/td><td>Passing under pressure<\/td><td>5 min<\/td><td>Standing still after passing<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>14<\/td><td>Sharks and Minnows<\/td><td>Conditioning<\/td><td>Several rounds, 8 min<\/td><td>Letting it stall, keep it moving<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Short_Version\"><\/span>The Short Version<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beginners learn basketball through reps and games, not scrimmaging. Run these fourteen drills in order, dribbling through conditioning, keep your words short, demonstrate everything, and end on the game they love. Build the habit of eyes up while dribbling, the footwork of the layup, a low defensive stance, and a crisp pass, and you will have given a kid who never played the real foundation of the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What are good basketball drills for beginners?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with dribbling drills like the pound dribble and cone weave, simple two foot layups, defensive stance and slide drills, basic chest and bounce passes, and a fun conditioning game like sharks and minnows. Run them in that order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How long should a beginner basketball practice be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For six to twelve year olds, about 45 minutes to one hour is plenty. Attention fades after that. Spend the most time on dribbling and a game at the end, and keep each drill short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the most important skill for a beginner to learn?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dribbling with the eyes up. Almost every beginner stares at the ball, and breaking that habit early unlocks every other skill, because a player who cannot look up cannot pass, shoot, or read the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Should beginners scrimmage at practice?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not much. Young beginners learn far more from focused drills and small games than from full scrimmages, where most players stand around. Use games like sharks and minnows to build skills instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How do I make basketball practice fun for kids?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turn drills into games, keep instructions short, demonstrate instead of lecturing, and always end practice on the most fun activity. Avoid punishment laps, which kill enthusiasm without building much fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When your beginners are ready for real games, dressing them like a team changes how they carry themselves, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/best-basketball-uniforms-youth\/\">best youth basketball uniforms<\/a> post walks through what to look for at this age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For everything from game kits to warmups and bags, browse our full range of <a href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/custom-basketball-uniforms\/\">basketball apparel<\/a> built for a long youth season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Practice jerseys take the most wear. Our reversibles work for scrimmage day.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coaching a team of six to twelve year olds who have genuinely never played is a specific challenge, and most drill lists you find online are written for kids who already have the basics. This one is not. These are basketball drills for beginners in the truest sense, for the kid who does not yet &#8230; <a title=\"14 Basketball Drills for Players Who Have Never Played\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/basketball-drills-for-beginners\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 14 Basketball Drills for Players Who Have Never Played\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2237,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[228,230,235,234,232,231,233,229],"class_list":["post-2233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","tag-basketball-drills-for-beginners","tag-beginner-basketball-practice","tag-conditioning","tag-defensive-slides","tag-dribbling","tag-layups","tag-passing","tag-youth-basketball-drills"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2233"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2238,"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2233\/revisions\/2238"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2237"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamcospo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}