Basketball Drills For 6 And 7 Year Olds
Basketball is a great sport to get kids active and help them develop important skills like teamwork, coordination, and confidence. If your child is interested in basketball, there are plenty of fun and engaging drills you can do together to help them improve their skills and have fun.
Warm-Up Drills
Before starting any basketball drills, it’s important to warm up properly to prevent injury and prepare your muscles for exercise. Here are a few simple warm-up drills you can do with your child:
- Jogging – Have your child jog around the court to get their heart rate up and warm up their muscles.
- Jumping Jacks – Do a few sets of jumping jacks to warm up the entire body.
- Stretching – Stretching is important to prevent injury and improve flexibility. Do a few stretches targeting the legs, arms, and back.
Perform each of these warm-up drills for 5-10 minutes before moving on to the basketball drills.
Dribbling Drills
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball. These drills can help your child improve their dribbling technique and control:
- Stationary Dribbling – Have your child dribble the ball while standing still, focusing on keeping the ball close to their body and using their fingertips to control the ball.
- Figure 8 Dribbling – Create a figure 8 with cones or markers and have your child dribble around them, alternating hands with each turn.
- Obstacle Course – Set up a course with cones or markers and have your child dribble around them, making cuts and changes of direction.
Shooting Drills
Shooting is another essential skill in basketball. These drills can help your child improve their shooting technique and accuracy:
- Layup Practice – Have your child practice layups by starting at the foul line and running towards the basket, jumping off one foot and using the backboard to make the shot.
- Spot Shooting – Set up cones or markers around the court and have your child shoot from each spot, focusing on proper technique and form.
- Paired Shooting – Have your child practice shooting with a partner, passing the ball back and forth and taking shots from different spots on the court.
Defensive Drills
Defense is a crucial component of basketball. These drills can help your child improve their defensive skills and technique:
- Stance Drills – Have your child practice getting into a proper defensive stance, with their feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent.
- One-on-One Drills – Have your child practice defending against a partner, focusing on staying in front of them and keeping their arms up to block shots.
- Footwork Drills – Set up cones or markers and have your child practice moving quickly and efficiently between them to improve their footwork and agility.
Cool-Down Drills
After completing your basketball drills, it’s important to cool down and stretch to prevent injury and improve muscle recovery. Here are a few cool-down drills you can do with your child:
- Slow Jogging – Have your child jog around the court at a slow pace to gradually lower their heart rate.
- Calf Stretches – Stretch the calves by placing one foot behind the other and pushing the back heel towards the ground.
- Hamstring Stretches – Stretch the hamstrings by sitting on the ground with your legs extended and reaching towards your toes.
Perform each of these cool-down drills for 5-10 minutes to help your child recover from their basketball drills.
Remember that basketball should be fun for kids! Encourage your child to enjoy the sport and celebrate their progress and achievements along the way. With these drills and a positive attitude, your child can improve their basketball skills and have a great time playing the game.
