Soccer Games
Basketball Games
Baseball/Softball Games
Basketball Games
Baseball/Softball Games
Basketball Games
Young basketball players can improve their skills by simply increasing their touches on the ball. Spend as
much time as possible having them dribble, pass, catch and shoot. It’s great to teach a screen, or a pick and
role, or the give and go, but if they can’t make the bounce pass or dribble under control, then they will not be
able to execute these plays. Basketball is fundamentals. As the players improve on their individual
fundamental skills, both offensive and defensive, begin to add some team fundamentals like blocking out for
rebounds, off ball screens, and the give and go play.
Red Light, Green Light or Stop and Go Dribble (dribbling)
Skills taught: This develops dribbling skills.
How the game works: Have all the players line up on the base line with a ball. Coach yells “green light” and
players move forward as quickly as possible while dribbling the ball. When the coach yells “red light”, the
players must stop and maintain their dribble. Send back to the start any player not dribbling in control.
Tip: In the ‘red light’ position have the players assume a position with the left foot forward, left hand out
protecting the ball, right foot back with right hand dribbling the ball waist high just in front of the right foot. (For
an easy description, tell your players to “jump on their skateboards.”) Knees bent, with eyes on the coach.
Change from using right hand only to left hand only. Mix it up to add right hand on red light, left hand on
green. Add more variations like through the legs to change from green to red as players skills advance.
Have fun with this game.
Passing Line Relay (Passing, Pivot)
Skills taught: This game teaches passing, catching and how to use your pivot foot.
How the game works: Divide your players into 2 equal teams. Line them up about 5-7 feet apart. The first
player passes the ball to the second player in line. The second player must turn 180 degrees using a correct
pivot and pass to the next player. Continue to the end and then work the ball back to the front. Rotate players
in line so that everyone practices the passing off the pivot.
Tip: Use this drill to do chest passes, bounce passes and 2-hand overhead passes. Have the players vary
which foot they pivot on.
Shuffle/Pass Relay (passing and catching on the move, footwork, conditioning)
Skills taught: For players who have achieved some confidence in passing, the next step is to learn to pass
and catch on the move. Use this game to teach the players to shuffle (not cross their feet), to keep a target
for the passer and to stay low with knees bent.
How this drill works: Divide the players into two equal teams. Each team will then divide into 2 lines and set
up facing each other. The first pair in each line starts down the court throwing bounce (or chest) passes
while shuffling down the court as fast as possible. Have the players both touch the end line and then return,
passing the ball to the next pair in line.
Tip: Younger players will often travel with the ball before they can make the exchange from catching to
throwing, but work towards improving this skill with older players. If you have a team that needs to “talk” more
on the court, make them call out “ball” when they are ready to receive the pass.
Shuffle/Pass Relay #2 (passing and catching on the move, footwork, conditioning)
Skills taught: Similar to the game above this teaches passing quickly on the move, footwork and fitness.
How the drill works: Divide your team into 2 or 3 groups depending on the number of players. Select one
player from each team to go first. The other players on each team line up roughly 5-7 feet apart (vary the
distance by age). This is similar to the game above, but this time only the one player who was selected to go
first will shuffle down the court passing to each player in line as they go. Have the player go down and back 2-
5 times racing the other team’s player. Change the shuffle passer and go again.
Tip: Break into at least 3 lines when you have 12 or more players to decrease standing time.
Circle Block Out (blocking out)
Skills taught: An essential part of rebounding is blocking out the opposing team.
How the game works: Pair your players up by size. Depending on the number of pairs, separate the group
into halves or thirds. Place a ball on the ground. Have the first group of pairs create a circle around the ball
and about 4 feet away. Have the first player in each pair set inside the circle turn and face his partner so that
his back is to the basketball. When you blow the whistle the inside player must turn and block out the
outside player who is trying to get by him and touch the ball on the circle. The inside player’s goal is to keep
the outside player off the ball for 10-30 seconds depending on age of players.
Tip: Teach your players to keep their arms out and bent up at the elbow and knees bent for balance. Have
them make contact with the outside players and use their bodies to keep the player's off the ball. This is a
great first drill to learn blocking out without having to also concentrate on making the rebound.
War (overall playing skills)
Skills taught: This drill helps with aggressive play to the ball and one-on-one skills.
How the game works: Divide your team into 2 groups. Use only one end of the court and have the two teams
line up on opposing side lines. Spread them out evenly to start. Have the players number off so each side
has a player 1, a player 2, etc. Place the ball at half court. The coach calls out a number “3!” and player 3
from each side sprints out to get the ball. The player that picks it up first is the offensive player and the other
player assumes the defensive role. The offensive player then tries to score and can use his teammates on
the sidelines for passing only. The sideline teammates cannot move once they have received the ball but
can move up and down the sideline without the ball to help with receiving a pass. If the defensive player
steals the ball or gets a rebound, he must ‘check’ the ball by passing it out to one of his teammates before
he can attempt to score. Game is over after a score or each players has had an offensive attempt.
Tip: Mix this game up by calling out multiple numbers so players play 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 etc. With younger
players, shrink the playing area by moving lines in several steps from the sidelines.
Young basketball players can improve their skills by simply increasing their touches on the ball. Spend as
much time as possible having them dribble, pass, catch and shoot. It’s great to teach a screen, or a pick and
role, or the give and go, but if they can’t make the bounce pass or dribble under control, then they will not be
able to execute these plays. Basketball is fundamentals. As the players improve on their individual
fundamental skills, both offensive and defensive, begin to add some team fundamentals like blocking out for
rebounds, off ball screens, and the give and go play.
Red Light, Green Light or Stop and Go Dribble (dribbling)
Skills taught: This develops dribbling skills.
How the game works: Have all the players line up on the base line with a ball. Coach yells “green light” and
players move forward as quickly as possible while dribbling the ball. When the coach yells “red light”, the
players must stop and maintain their dribble. Send back to the start any player not dribbling in control.
Tip: In the ‘red light’ position have the players assume a position with the left foot forward, left hand out
protecting the ball, right foot back with right hand dribbling the ball waist high just in front of the right foot. (For
an easy description, tell your players to “jump on their skateboards.”) Knees bent, with eyes on the coach.
Change from using right hand only to left hand only. Mix it up to add right hand on red light, left hand on
green. Add more variations like through the legs to change from green to red as players skills advance.
Have fun with this game.
Passing Line Relay (Passing, Pivot)
Skills taught: This game teaches passing, catching and how to use your pivot foot.
How the game works: Divide your players into 2 equal teams. Line them up about 5-7 feet apart. The first
player passes the ball to the second player in line. The second player must turn 180 degrees using a correct
pivot and pass to the next player. Continue to the end and then work the ball back to the front. Rotate players
in line so that everyone practices the passing off the pivot.
Tip: Use this drill to do chest passes, bounce passes and 2-hand overhead passes. Have the players vary
which foot they pivot on.
Shuffle/Pass Relay (passing and catching on the move, footwork, conditioning)
Skills taught: For players who have achieved some confidence in passing, the next step is to learn to pass
and catch on the move. Use this game to teach the players to shuffle (not cross their feet), to keep a target
for the passer and to stay low with knees bent.
How this drill works: Divide the players into two equal teams. Each team will then divide into 2 lines and set
up facing each other. The first pair in each line starts down the court throwing bounce (or chest) passes
while shuffling down the court as fast as possible. Have the players both touch the end line and then return,
passing the ball to the next pair in line.
Tip: Younger players will often travel with the ball before they can make the exchange from catching to
throwing, but work towards improving this skill with older players. If you have a team that needs to “talk” more
on the court, make them call out “ball” when they are ready to receive the pass.
Shuffle/Pass Relay #2 (passing and catching on the move, footwork, conditioning)
Skills taught: Similar to the game above this teaches passing quickly on the move, footwork and fitness.
How the drill works: Divide your team into 2 or 3 groups depending on the number of players. Select one
player from each team to go first. The other players on each team line up roughly 5-7 feet apart (vary the
distance by age). This is similar to the game above, but this time only the one player who was selected to go
first will shuffle down the court passing to each player in line as they go. Have the player go down and back 2-
5 times racing the other team’s player. Change the shuffle passer and go again.
Tip: Break into at least 3 lines when you have 12 or more players to decrease standing time.
Circle Block Out (blocking out)
Skills taught: An essential part of rebounding is blocking out the opposing team.
How the game works: Pair your players up by size. Depending on the number of pairs, separate the group
into halves or thirds. Place a ball on the ground. Have the first group of pairs create a circle around the ball
and about 4 feet away. Have the first player in each pair set inside the circle turn and face his partner so that
his back is to the basketball. When you blow the whistle the inside player must turn and block out the
outside player who is trying to get by him and touch the ball on the circle. The inside player’s goal is to keep
the outside player off the ball for 10-30 seconds depending on age of players.
Tip: Teach your players to keep their arms out and bent up at the elbow and knees bent for balance. Have
them make contact with the outside players and use their bodies to keep the player's off the ball. This is a
great first drill to learn blocking out without having to also concentrate on making the rebound.
War (overall playing skills)
Skills taught: This drill helps with aggressive play to the ball and one-on-one skills.
How the game works: Divide your team into 2 groups. Use only one end of the court and have the two teams
line up on opposing side lines. Spread them out evenly to start. Have the players number off so each side
has a player 1, a player 2, etc. Place the ball at half court. The coach calls out a number “3!” and player 3
from each side sprints out to get the ball. The player that picks it up first is the offensive player and the other
player assumes the defensive role. The offensive player then tries to score and can use his teammates on
the sidelines for passing only. The sideline teammates cannot move once they have received the ball but
can move up and down the sideline without the ball to help with receiving a pass. If the defensive player
steals the ball or gets a rebound, he must ‘check’ the ball by passing it out to one of his teammates before
he can attempt to score. Game is over after a score or each players has had an offensive attempt.
Tip: Mix this game up by calling out multiple numbers so players play 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 etc. With younger
players, shrink the playing area by moving lines in several steps from the sidelines.
... let's not forget that.
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Basketball Skill Building Games
Why use games instead of drills?
The skill building games are meant to make sure the kids enjoy practice, but there are many benefits to using
game based drills. The players will not only have more fun but they will play at higher intensity and at game
pace. The games should allow them to have fun and appreciate the sport while learning and practicing the
skills they need to master their sport.
Practice Game Guidelines:
Let them play without worrying about proper execution of the skill. After a couple of times through the game
ask them what they need to do well to win the game. When you hear answers like "dribble in control" or
"make good passes" you can then make suggestions for how to achieve that. With a little creativity you can
probably turn many of the drills you are currently using into games. Have fun. If you have a game to share,
please send it to us to add to the site.
The skill building games are meant to make sure the kids enjoy practice, but there are many benefits to using
game based drills. The players will not only have more fun but they will play at higher intensity and at game
pace. The games should allow them to have fun and appreciate the sport while learning and practicing the
skills they need to master their sport.
Practice Game Guidelines:
- Have every player touching the ball as much as possible.
- Use games that keep all kids playing until the end. Don't have the weak players get knocked out and
watch the stronger players get more touches. - Avoid rewarding "winners" and punishing "losers" (push ups, laps, etc).
- The games must replicate true game skills to be effective.
- Shorten or ideally eliminate lines.
- Keep it simple. The games should be easy to explain and to set up.
- Don't have too many different games. Find a few games that the kids love and just expand the game
as they need more challenges.
Let them play without worrying about proper execution of the skill. After a couple of times through the game
ask them what they need to do well to win the game. When you hear answers like "dribble in control" or
"make good passes" you can then make suggestions for how to achieve that. With a little creativity you can
probably turn many of the drills you are currently using into games. Have fun. If you have a game to share,
please send it to us to add to the site.