When I first started coaching youth basketball, I knew how important dribbling was. The players who can dribble control the game.

However, as important as dribbling is, it was another skill that grabbed my attention. . . passing!

Passing at the youth level is a sight to behold. There are passes to no one. There are passes thrown with so much arc they resemble a rainbow. There are bounce passes thrown that bounce 3 times.

Needless to say, passing skills at the youth basketball level are deficient. In some ways this makes sense. Most skill development is focused on dribbling, layups, and shooting.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s okay. As coaches, we must train our players to pass with anticipation and accuracy. 

Read on to learn more about a fun game that builds passing & dribbling skills simultaneously.

But First. . . The Problem With Traditional Youth Passing Drills

If you attend almost any youth basketball camp, you’ll see players doing partner passing.

Players stand across from a partner and pass the ball back and forth. They start with chest passes. Then they go to bounce passes. If they really get crazy, you might even see players pass and slide at the same time.

These drills are well-intentioned. That said, they’re also ineffective. Here’s 3 reasons why:

• They don’t simulate game conditions - how often in a game is a player unguarded? If they are, they’re probably shooting. Most partner passing drills don’t resemble the game at all.

In fact, if 2 players are throwing chest passes back and forth, they’re likely throwing the ball right through where the defender would be in a game. 

• They don’t incorporate footwork - most passing drills are done stationary. That’s now how the game is played. In most situations, players have to pivot to find a passing window.

That’s why throwing and receiving passes often leads to travel calls in youth games. Players need to learn to pass and catch on the move.

• They don’t incorporate dribbling - the reason many players are bad at passing is because they dribble with their head down. This means they don’t see open teammates.

They never look up until they pick up their dribble. By that time, the openings are gone and they are forced into a bad option.

Dribbling and passing must be taught in tandem as they are used in tandem in games.

Passing Tag - The Game To Develop Passing, Footwork & Dribbling . . . And Have Fun

Players love tag games. There are many variations of tag you can use within your practices. Here’s a dribble tag game from Jim Huber Beginner Basketball Ages 5-9.

If you want to incorporate passing as well, consider Passing Tag:

Setup 

• Split your team into two equal groups

• Team 1 spreads out in the half court. Each player on Team 1 has a ball.

• Team 2 lines up on the baseline. 1 player on Team 2 has a ball.

Instructions

• When the coach says go, all players on Team 1 must start dribbling. They must continue dribbling the entire drill.
• When the game starts, players on Team 2 run out onto the floor. The player with the ball dribbles out.
• Players on Team 1 attempt to avoid being tagged by the player on Team 2 with the ball. They can go anywhere within the half court.
• Players on Team 2 can dribble when they have the ball. They cannot run with the ball. They can also pass the ball to one of their teammates if they are in a better position to tag a player on Team 1.
• To ‘tag’ someone, the player on Team 2 who has the ball must touch a player on Team 1. Only the player with the ball can tag someone on the other team.
• Once tagged, a player is out for that round.
• Time how long it takes Team 2 to tag all of Team 1’s players. Then repeat with Team 1 tagging and Team 2 dribbling.

Coaching Tips

• Put in penalties for traveling - if a player on the dribbling team travels, they are out for that round. If a player on the tagging team travels, add :05 to their time.
• Stress scanning - all players need to keep their head up. The players on the dribbling team must scan to see where the taggers are. The players on the tagging team must locate and pursue the dribblers. This is especially true for the tagger with the ball as they must decide whether to dribble or pass to a teammate in better position to tag.
• Change the difficulty of the drill - if the tagging team is having a hard time, tell the dribbling team they have to dribble with their weak hand. If the drill is too easy for the tagging team, give the dribblers more space to dribble within.
• Prioritize passing - at first, players may over dribble. If you see that, put a dribble limit in place for the tagging team. Only allow the players on that team to take 2-3 dribbles when they have the ball. This means they have to start focusing on the pass sooner rather than dribbling..
• On Time, On Target passes - scanning will help players see the right pass. The next step is throwing it accurately. Stress ‘aim small, miss small.’ In other words, instead of aiming for their teammate’s body, aim for the logo on their shirt. A smaller target makes an accurate pass more likely.

Games-based Coaching - A Must For Youth Basketball

At the youth level, the goals are to have fun and get better. Games are a great way to do that.

Skills don’t have to be taught in traditional ways. Games like Passing Tag are ways to engage your players in a positive learning environment.

Try Passing Tag and you’ll see your players start to see the floor!

Related Resources 

• For those coaching true beginners, consider Jim Huber Beginner Basketball Ages 5-9. This is a great resource to help those new to the game. Coach Huber provides a number of games and age-appropriate drills that result in rapid improvement and a good experience for young players.
• The Youth Coaching System With Jim Huberprovides an entire blueprint for coaching a youth team. It’s a one stop shop for all youth coaching needs. If you’re looking for a proven system to get the most from your team, this is the resource for you!

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