Here are the best basketball drills for kids to teach them the fundamentals.

Are you looking for some drills to teach kids how to play basketball?

Or are you looking for some drills to help kids improve at the sport?

Well, here are 9 of the best drills that can help kids work on their conditioning, offense and defense so that they can become well-rounded basketball players.

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Lane Dribbling

Lane Dribbling is one of the best exercises kids can do to improve their ball handling.

The reason is that it forces them to put in the reps, which is the most effective way to tighten up their handles.

So, here’s how to do this simple drill:

• With their strong hand, dribble from one end of the court to the other end (or from the start of the block to the end of it).
• Then, as they return, dribble with their weak hand (or off-hand).
• Once this gets easy, add crossovers and hezis to the mix and pound the ball with more force.
• Remember to remind them to bounce (or dribble) the ball with their fingertips and NOT the palm of their hand.

The more reps they do, the more (and quicker) they’ll improve, the stronger their arms will get and the more ball control they’ll build.

So, have them dribble as often as possible!

Lines Running Drill

Lines (or suicides) is a great running exercise that can be done at many places.

It is also one of the most popular cardio exercises for basketball players because it can be done in a gym before practicing core basketball skills.

To do the exercise:

1. Start on the baseline
2. Run to the free-throw line (or first cone) and bend down to touch the line. Then, run back to the baseline and touch it before running the next suicide line.
3. Run to the three-point line (or second cone), touch it, and return to the baseline.
4. Run to the half-court line (or third cone), touch it, and return to the baseline.
5. Run to the opposite three-point line (or fourth cone), touch it, and run back to the starting baseline.
6. Run to the opposite free-throw line (or fifth cone), touch it, and return.
7. Run to the opposite baseline (or sixth cone), touch it, and run back.
8. That’s one lap. Now repeat it for the number of desired laps.

If you want to basketball-ify this exercise for your kids, have them dribble a basketball while running the lines and do line dribbling as they run.

Have them do this drill multiple times a week because it will improve their cardio.

Defensive Slides

Defensive Slides (or Zig-Zags) work on foot speed, grit and stamina.

It’s a simple exercise but can get extremely difficult.

All the kids have to do is go into a defensive stance and zig-zag their way down the court and back as quickly as possible.

They can do this drill by themselves or with a partner. If they do it with a partner, have the partner do crossovers down the court at a slow pace as the defender guards them.

Recycling Drill

The Recycling Drill will help your kids grab more rebounds because it’ll teach kids how to time the jumps for boards.

So, here’s how to do the Recycling Drill:

1. Stand in the block (or on the free-throw line)
2. Toss the ball off the backboard
3. Run and rebound the ball with both hands
4. Land, then pump fake
5. Then go up for a lay-up (or close shot).
6. Remember to do this drill on both sides of the rim.
7. Do 3 sets of 10 reps on both sides.

I recommend having your kids do this drill twice a week.

Windshield Wiper Drill

The Windshield Wiper Drill is a ball handling drill and it’s an advancement from lane dribbles.

This drill will strengthen your kids arms and teach them how to control the ball as they zig and zag in different directions.

Here’s how to do it:

• With one hand, bounce the ball from side to side (or in and out) for 20 dribbles.
• Then repeat with the other hand.
• Do this for 2 sets
• Do this as part of the warm-up after they do lane dribbles.

Mastering ball handling takes time.

So, have them practice this drill as often as possible to get stronger and more comfortable dribbling.

Close Out, Slide, Backpedal

Being able to move in multiple directions is important for basketball.

This is why kids should do the Close Out, Slide, Backpedal Drill because it’ll teach them how to move, which will improve their defense.

Here’s how to do this simple drill:

• On the baseline, stand on the right corner in front of the right elbow of the free-throw box.
• Run forward to the right elbow.
• Then slide to the left elbow.
• Then backpedal to the baseline.
• Then slide to the start position.
• Do 5 sets of 10 laps.

This drill is great because they’ll get to work on moving efficiently, build stamina in their legs and improve their cardio.

So, have them do this drill the next time they’re on the court.

CON Man Drill

This is an easy drill kids can do to build their shooting confidence.

It’s called the CON Man Drill and all they have to do is go to their sweet spot and make 5 shots in a row.

If it’s too easy, have them pick another spot they like to shoot at (or shoot at often) and make 5 more consecutive shots.

Have them do this drill multiple times a week to develop their confidence.

Around the World

Around the World is a great game for kids to work on their shooting form for a variety of shots around the rim.

They’ll have to shoot the ball at the side, at an angle and in front of the rim.

Here’s a quick how-to-play guide:

• Start at the first marker on the free-throw line.
• Make the shot and move on to the next marker.
• Make shots at every marker to win the game.
• Oh, they have two tries to make a shot. If the second shot is missed, they will have to go back to the first marker. But they can choose to take the second shot or not.

This game can be played whenever and can be used as the day’s exercise.

Power Skips

This drill is a fun way for kids to strengthen their legs.

Additionally, power skips can strengthen their core and develop power in their lower body, which will improve their jumping ability.

It will also improve their single-leg jumps.

Here’s how to do power skips:

1. Have them stand with their feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Tell them to raise their right knee and right arm and jump with their left knee.
3. Reset.
4. Now, get them to raise their left knee and left arm, and jump with their right leg.
5. Once they’re comfortable and have the pattern down, have them do the jumps continuously.

I recommend having your kids start with 3 sets of 20 repetitions (10 per leg).

Conclusion

These drills are meant to help kids become all-around players by helping them get a hold of fundamental basketball skills.

So, do them regularly!