Basketball Dribble and Shoot Drills

A youth basketball (size 5 is right for this age group)

A basketball hoop at kid height, or a bucket/laundry basket on an elevated surface

Cones or markers for drills

Start with stationary dribbling. Your child stands in one spot and bounces the ball with their dominant hand. The goal: push the ball down with fingertips, not slap it with the palm. Keep it going for 30 seconds.

Switch to the non-dominant hand. This will be harder and sloppier. That's exactly why it needs practice.

Dribble while walking. Move forward slowly while keeping the ball bouncing beside you, not in front. The ball should stay at hip height and slightly to the side.

Add cones. Set up 5 cones in a line and dribble around them, weaving left and right. This forces direction changes while maintaining the dribble.

Practice chest passes with a partner. Stand 6 feet apart, hold the ball at chest height, and push it straight to the other person. Catch it, pass it back. Count your streak.

Bounce passes: same setup but bounce the ball on the ground between you. The ball should bounce about two-thirds of the way to the partner.

Shooting: stand close to the hoop (5-6 feet). Hold the ball in the shooting hand with the guide hand on the side. Push up and release. Aim for the backboard.

Put it all together: dribble from a starting cone to a passing cone, pass to a partner, get the ball back, dribble to the shooting spot, and shoot.

A youth-sized basketball is critical. An adult ball (size 7) is too heavy and too big for kids' hands. Size 5 is right for ages 5-8.

Fingertip dribbling is the foundation. If your child is slapping the ball with their palm, they have no control. Coach them to push with finger pads.

Lower the hoop if possible. Shooting at a 10-foot hoop forces kids to heave the ball, which teaches bad form. An 8-foot hoop (or even a bucket on a stepladder) lets them learn proper shooting mechanics.

Short daily sessions beat one long weekend session. 10-15 minutes of dribbling each day shows results within a week.

Make it a game: "How many dribbles without losing control?" "How many baskets out of 10?" Numbers and goals keep kids focused.