7 essential drills for Under-10 players that are fun and build skills

• Focus on fundamental technique in all drills, such as proper two-hand passing
• Ensure players do their best to keep their eyes up when dribbling
• Do not lose sight of the fact, these drills are supposed to be FUN

Here are seven detailed training drills for Under-10 basketball players, focusing on fundamentals, coordination, and fun engagement while ensuring proper skill development.

1. Dribble Freeze Tag (Ball-Handling & Agility)

📍 Objective: Improve dribbling control while enhancing agility and awareness.
⏳ Duration: 5-10 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Each player has a basketball.
• Designate one or two "taggers" who also dribble.
• Define a playing area (half-court or a smaller section).

🏀 How to Play:

1. All players must continuously dribble while avoiding the taggers.
2. If a player gets tagged, they must freeze in place while keeping their dribble alive.
3. A teammate can unfreeze them by executing a crossover or behind-the-back move next to them.
4. Rotate taggers every couple of minutes.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Keep heads up while dribbling.
✔ Encourage change of speed and direction.
✔ Make sure frozen players keep dribbling.

🔄 Variations:

• Weak-hand only dribbling.
• Add a time limit before a frozen player is out.

2. Traffic Jam Dribbling (Ball-Handling & Coordination)

📍 Objective: Enhance dribbling in crowded spaces while developing coordination.
⏳ Duration: 5-8 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Players spread out inside a restricted area (key or half-court).
• Each player has a basketball.

🏀 How to Play:

1. Players move around freely while maintaining control of their dribble.
2. They must avoid bumping into other players or losing their dribble.
3. Coaches call out commands such as:
   • "Change hands!" (players switch hands)
   • "Stop and go!" (players freeze, then accelerate)
   • "Spin!" (players do a spin move)

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Keep dribbles low and controlled.
✔ Players must keep heads up to avoid collisions.
✔ Encourage use of both hands.

🔄 Variations:

• Add soft obstacles (cones or chairs) for players to navigate.
• Introduce taggers to make it more challenging.

3. Hot Potato Passing (Passing & Decision-Making)

📍 Objective: Improve passing accuracy, reaction time, and teamwork.
⏳ Duration: 8-10 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Players form a circle or a grid (groups of 3-5 players).
• Use one basketball per group.

🏀 How to Play:

1. Players must pass the ball quickly to a teammate before holding it for more than 2 seconds.
2. Encourage chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes.
3. Add a countdown (e.g., pass within 3 seconds or do 5 push-ups).
4. If a pass is too slow or inaccurate, that player is "out" for one round.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Emphasize quick decision-making.
✔ Use correct passing techniques (step into the pass, follow through).
✔ Players must call out names before passing.

🔄 Variations:

• Add a defender to apply light pressure.
• Have players move instead of staying stationary.

4. Knockout Layups (Finishing & Confidence)

📍 Objective: Build confidence in finishing layups at full speed.
⏳ Duration: 10-12 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Two lines behind the free-throw line or three-point line.
• Players take turns attempting layups.

🏀 How to Play:

1. First player in line dribbles in for a layup and immediately rebounds their shot.
2. As soon as they shoot, the next player starts dribbling.
3. If the second player makes their layup before the first player rebounds and scores, the first player is out.
4. The game continues until one player remains.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Proper layup technique (off the correct foot, using the backboard).
✔ Emphasize quick rebounding and reaction.
✔ Players should focus on footwork and speed.

🔄 Variations:

• Use left-hand only layups.
• Add dribbling moves before the layup.

5. Cone Dribble Relay (Ball-Handling & Speed)

📍 Objective: Improve dribbling speed and control under pressure.
⏳ Duration: 10 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Place cones in a straight line (3-5 cones per group).
• Players split into teams of 3-4.
• Each player has a basketball.

🏀 How to Play:

1. The first player dribbles through the cones, using crossovers or behind-the-back moves.
2. Once at the last cone, they sprint back and pass the ball to the next teammate.
3. The first team to complete all their turns wins.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Keep dribbles low and quick.
✔ Ensure proper change of direction and speed.
✔ Encourage use of both hands.

🔄 Variations:

• Make it a timed challenge.
• Add defenders to apply pressure.

6. Red Light, Green Light Dribble (Ball-Handling & Reaction Time)

📍 Objective: Develop dribbling control and awareness while keeping the drill fun.
⏳ Duration: 8 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Players line up along the baseline, each with a basketball.
• Coach stands at the opposite end of the court.

🏀 How to Play:

1. When the coach says "Green Light", players dribble forward toward the opposite baseline.
2. When the coach says "Red Light", players must stop dribbling immediately.
3. If a player moves after "Red Light," they return to the starting line.
4. The first to reach the finish line wins.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Keep eyes up while dribbling.
✔ Use controlled stops (jump stops).
✔ Focus on ball control under movement.

🔄 Variations:

• Use different dribbling moves (crossovers, behind-the-back).
• Play in reverse (players dribble backward on "Green Light").

7. 3-on-3 Mini Scrimmage (Game Awareness & Teamwork)

📍 Objective: Teach spacing, passing, and teamwork in a low-pressure setting.
⏳ Duration: 12-15 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Divide players into small teams of three.
• Use half-court for multiple games at once.

🏀 How to Play:

1. Players play 3-on-3, focusing on passing and moving without the ball.
2. No player can hold the ball for more than 5 seconds.
3. Encourage spacing and teamwork, avoiding crowding.
4. Rotate teams every 3-4 minutes.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Encourage passing and movement.
✔ Teach basic defensive positioning.
✔ Emphasize having fun and learning the game.

🔄 Variations:

• Add scoring incentives (extra points for assists).
• Require two passes before shooting.

Why do these drills?

These drills ensure skill improvement, engagement, and confidence-building while keeping training fun and structured for Under-10 players.