Looking for great youth basketball drills that are fun & translate to player development & game success? Check out these 15 best youth basketball drills from expert coach Jim Huber!

Youth Basketball Drill 1: 1 v 1 Face Up For Ball Security:0:52

• The offensive player has the ball. The defensive player is right behind him.

• The offensive player tosses the ball out to themselves and catches with a quick stop.

• The defense gets right up on the offensive player and tries to knock the ball away.

• The offensive player uses pivots and rips to protect the ball. They are not allowed to dribble.

• Switch after 4-5 seconds.

Key coaching points:

• Rip the ball below your knees or above your head

• Step into the defender to create space. Stepping away gives space away.

Youth Basketball Drill 2: Fill Cut & Rear Cut Drill For Passing & Finishing2:29

• The offensive player in the corner sprints up to fill the open spot.

• The player up top passes to the offensive player filling the wing.

• Player 2 passes back to player 1 and makes a hard basket cut.

• After not receiving the ball, player 2 fills back out to the corner.

• Player 2 fills up again. 

• X2 denies the pass to the wing.

• 2 makes a hard rear cut and receives a pass from 1 for a layup.

Key Coaching Points:

• Players should set up the fill cut by getting into their defender.

• Any basket cut should be on a direct line to the rim.

• Players should show a target hand on every cut.

Youth Basketball Drill 3: Fill Cuts - 1 v 1 For Attacking Closeouts6:02

• The defender (x5) lines up in the slot facing the block.

• The offensive player (5) lines up on the wing facing the corner.

• Both players circle around their cones. The coach passes to the offensive player.

• From there, it’s live 1v1. The offense has 3 dribbles to score.

Key Coaching Points:

• The offensive player should catch the ball thinking shot and only drive if the defender takes the shot away.

• The offensive player should scan to the defender as they are running to catch the ball so they have a plan upon receiving the pass.

Youth Basketball Drill 4: 2 v 0 Offense For Spacing, Finishing, & Cutting 7:39

• Player 1 starts with the ball on the wing.

• Player 2 starts in the corner.

Player 1 passes to the coach and makes a basket cut. They then fill out to the corner.

• Player 2 makes a fill cut to the wing.

• The coach passes to player 2. Player 2 immediately passes to player 1 in the corner.

• Player 2 cuts and receives a pass from player 1 for a layup.

Key Coaching Points:

• Player 2 must get their eyes to the rim to be ready to finish as soon as they catch the pass from 1.

• Encourage players to use pass fakes and make game like passes even though there is no defense.

Youth Basketball Drill 5: 4 v 4 - 2 Dribbles For Team Offense12:12

• The offense and defense play normal 4v4.

• Each offensive player is allowed to dribble 2x every time they catch the ball.

Key Coaching Points:

• Encourage players to reverse the ball and only use the dribble to attack the rim.

• Make it a turnover if the offense doesn’t square up.

• Remind players to cut hard after passing.

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Youth Basketball Drill 6: 1 v 1 - Closeout on the Touch For Individual Defense & Offense13:50

• Begin with lines on both blocks and both wings. The players on the blocks have basketballs.

• 1 passes to 2 and then closes out. On the first rep only, 1 must touch 2 to initiate the live play. After that, it’s live on the catch.

• The offense has 4 dribbles. If they get into the paint, they get 1 point. If they score, they get 2.

• As soon as 1 & 2 are done, 3 & 4 would go on the opposite side.

Key Coaching Points:

• The defense should close out under control with low hips and weight back.

• The defense must use good footwork to try and cut the offense’s angle off outside the paint.

Youth Basketball Drill 7: 3v3 X Out Closeouts For Team Offense & Defense15:50

• 3 defenders line up on the baseline facing 3 offensive players.

• The 3 defenders pass along the baseline. The last defender (x2) passes to the offensive player on their wing (4).

• The two outside defenders (x4 & x2) X and cover the offensive player on the opposite wing. The middle defender closes out to the player up top.

• Once the offense receives the ball, it’s live 3v3.

Key Coaching Points:

• The defenders should close out to the appropriate spot based on where the ball is.

• Defenders should close out under control.

Youth Basketball Drill 8: 2 v 2 Helpside Rebounding For Jumping To The Ball & Boxing Out 16:21

• 2 offensive players line up by the elbows. They are guarded by 2 defenders.

• The 2 offensive players pass the ball back & forth on the coach’s command..

• When the coach calls ‘shot,’ the offense shoots.

• The defender’s box out the offensive players and pursue the rebound. Defensive rebounds can be worth 1 point and offensive rebounds worth 2.

Key Coaching Points:

• The defense must move on the flight of the pass when the ball is being passed back and forth

• The defense should initiate contact on their boxouts.

• The offense can work on offensive rebounding techniques (swim, spin) when trying to pursue the offensive rebound.

Youth Basketball Drill 9: 4 v 4 Shell Defense Stationary For Help Defense Rotations17:28

• The offensive players position themselves around the perimeter. The defenders get into proper positioning based on where the ball is.

• The offense passes the ball around on the coach’s command. Defenders react and move to the appropriate spot on the floor.

• The coach can command the corner player to drive baseline. Their defender (x4) lets them go by.

• The defense then reacts and moves to the appropriate defensive spots.

Key Coaching Points:

• Defenders must move on the flight of the pass.

• Defenders should see both the ball and player they are guarding.

• Encourage players to talk and call out their role (ball, help, etc.).

Youth Basketball Drill 10: Speed Dribbling Drill23:03

• Players dribble the length of the floor as fast as they can with one hand.

• As they get to the other end of the floor, they perform a quick stop and get on balance.

• Do equal reps with both hands.

Key Coaching Points:

• Players should push the ball out in front and extend their elbow.

• Let players know this is a higher dribble done in space.

• Remind players not to palm the ball.

• Players must sprint to chase the ball after pushing it out in front.

Youth Basketball Drill 11: Duke Speed Dribble For Eyes Up Speed Dribbling25:11

• This is the same as the last drill except players execute a rolling crossover.

• On a rolling crossover, players switch hands on every speed dribble. This increases speed and makes it harder to the defense to back tap.

Youth Basketball Drill 12: 2 v 1 Break For Transition Offense & Defense26:38

• The 2 offensive players are on the outside (1 & 2).

• The defender starts under the rim (x1).

• The offensive players sprint/dribble around the cones in front of them.

• The defender sprints around the cone in front of them.

• After coming around the cone it’s 2v1. Limit the offense to 1-2 passes.

Key Coaching Points:

• The player with the ball should drive to score. They should only pass if the defense gets between them and the rim.

• The defense’s goal is to not allow a layup.

Youth Basketball Drill 13: Tear Butt Drill For Transition Offense & Defense27:51

• 5 defenders line up across the free throw line.

• 5 offensive players line up across the baseline.

• The coach throws the ball to any offensive player and says the names of 1-2 defenders.

• Whoever’s names are called (x3 & x5 above) must sprint and touch the baseline before getting back on defense. The other defenders sprint back immediately.

• The offense attacks with a temporary advantage.

• You can stop after 1 possession or go down & back.

Key Coaching Points:

• The offense should try to score before the defense can get it back to 5v5. Look to throw the ball ahead and keep the ball moving.

• The defense must talk. The defenders getting back should take away the ball, basket, and ball side.

• The defenders running in after touching the baseline should fill in on the weak side.

Youth Basketball Drill 14: 1 v 1 Half Court Break For Attacking & Finishing31:24

• The offense has a ball in the corner. The defense is positioned a few feet inside the defense on the baseline. Both players are facing cones.

• The offensive player dribbles around the cone in front of them. The defensive player sprints around their cone. From there it’s live 1v1.

Key Coaching Points:

• The offense must use speed to attack.

• The offense should only change direction if the defender gets directly in front of them.

Youth Basketball Drill 15: Dematha Finishing For Scoring At The Rim32:38

• Line players up on both elbows. The coach has a ball in the middle.

• The coach can pass to either player. Whoever receives the pass (1) is on offense. The other player (2) is on defense.

• The offense tries to score at the rim.

• You can run the drill from various spots (elbows, blocks, corners).

Key Coaching Points:

• The player who is on offense must get their eyes up as soon as they catch the ball.

• If the offense is ahead of the defense they should finish off 1 foot, if the defender is next to them they should finish off 2.

Make Practice Something Players Look Forward To

Do your players love coming to practice? That should be one of your goals. Sports are meant to be fun.

You know what’s not fun? Laps, lines, & lectures.

Try games based teaching instead. Your players will thank you for it!

If you’re looking for other great drills resources, check these out:

• The Best Youth Basketball Drills For Kids

• 10 Best Beginner Basketball Drills

Related Youth Coaching Resources

• Jim Huber’s Coaching Beginner Basketball System For Ages 5-9 - A comprehensive coaching system to properly develop those new to the game. This product features age appropriate teaching of the most important basketball skills. Players learn these skills in a fun and engaging way. In addition to individual skills, players begin to learn team offense and defense concepts.

• The Youth Coaching System For Ages 9-14 With Jim Huber - A nice compliment or sequel to the Beginner Basketball product. This system continues with the focus on youth development, but with advancements for older players. It uses a combination of drills and games to teach players the skills needed to thrive as they continue on in their careers.

To get your FREE PDF With Youth Practice Plans & Drills, click the banner below!

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