Basketball Drills For 8 And 9 Year Olds
Playing basketball is a fun and enjoyable activity for children, not only does it help improve their physical health, but it also teaches them valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, and perseverance. However, getting started with basketball can be daunting for young children as they may not have the necessary skills yet. That's why we have compiled a list of basketball drills that are suitable for 8 and 9-year-olds, which will help them develop their skills and build confidence on the court.
Dribbling drills
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in basketball, and these drills will help young players improve their ball-handling abilities:
1. Cone dribble
Place a few cones on the court and have the children dribble the ball around them using their right and left hands. Encourage them to keep their heads up while dribbling.
2. Figure eight dribble
Create a figure-eight pattern with cones and have the children dribble the ball around them, alternating between their right and left hands.
3. Dribble relay race
Divide the children into teams and have them race against each other while dribbling the ball. The first team to complete the relay wins.
Shooting drills
Shooting is another important skill in basketball, and these drills will help young players develop their shooting accuracy:
1. Wall shooting
Have the children stand in front of a wall and practice shooting the ball against it. This will help them develop their shooting form and accuracy.
2. Lay-up line
Create a lay-up line and have the children practice shooting lay-ups using both their right and left hands.
3. Knockout
Divide the children into two teams and have them compete in a shooting game called "Knockout". The first team to have all their players make a basket wins.
Passing drills
Passing is an essential skill in basketball, and these drills will help young players improve their passing accuracy:
1. Chest pass relay race
Divide the children into teams and have them compete in a chest pass relay race. Each player must pass the ball to their teammate who is waiting at the other end of the court.
2. Partner passing drills
Pair the children up and have them practice passing the ball to each other using different techniques such as chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes.
3. Circle passing
Form a circle with the children and have them pass the ball to each other in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Encourage them to use different passing techniques.
Conclusion
By practicing these basketball drills, 8 and 9-year-olds can improve their dribbling, shooting, and passing skills. It's important to remember that learning these skills takes time and effort, so encourage children to keep practicing and have fun on the court. As they continue to develop their skills, they will become more confident and enjoy the game even more.
