When coaching youth basketball, it can sometimes be easy to get caught up in the pressures of games and tournaments, and forget what should be right at the top of our priority list:
Having fun!
Not every coach is necessarily wired that way, so to help out with that, here is a list of 15 fun basketball games for kids that are also rooted in skill development.
Fun Basketball Games
1. Knockout
One of the most commonly used shooting games around, Knockout is a game that no matter how many times you play it, your players will want to play it again. It is a shooting competition that makes it easy for coaches to tailor to their teams by moving the starting locations to fit their skill level.
Setup:
Have your players line up at the starting shooting location (the free throw line is a common beginning one). Give the first 2 players in line a basketball.
How it Works:
The first player shoots their basketball. After the release, the second player shoots their ball trying to make it before the first player does.
If a player misses their shot, they attempt to quickly rebound it and make it before the player after them does.
If the first player is able to make a shot before the next one, they pass the ball to the third player in line and then go to the end. But if the second player is able to make a shot before the first one, then the first player is out and goes and sits down out of bounds and cheers on the other players still playing.
Play continues like this with players trying to make a basket before the player in front of them until there is only one player left.
Coaching Points:
- Things can get pretty crazy and hectic as players try to rebound and finish their misses quickly. Put in a rule that prevents players from touching the other player’s basketball and knocking it away to gain an unfair advantage.
- It is easy for players to try to “cheat” to win the game by grabbing misses and sprinting to the basket to finish their shots without dribbling. So make sure to “officiate” the games to prevent this from happening.
- A fun variation of this game is to play “Lightning.” It’s the same game, but if the player who gets someone out is eliminated, then everyone they got out is back in the game. This forces the winner to be the one who eliminates everyone else.
2. Home Run
Home Run is a great team competition that works on both ball handling and shooting. Plus it’s another game that can be easily adapted to different age groups by adjusting the shooting location and dribble requirements.
Setup:
This drill works best when there are 2 teams of at least 3 each. Designate a shooting team and a dribbling team. The shooting team needs 1 basketball and every player on the dribbling team needs their own basketball.
Designate where the shooting team will shoot from and also what path the dribbling team will use. Younger teams may want to dribble around the 3-point line and baseline while older players may want to dribble up the sideline, across half court, down the opposite sideline, and then across the baseline.
How it Works:
When the coach yells “Go!”, the first dribbler sets out to complete a lap while the first shooter attempts to make a shot. If the shooter misses, they rebound the miss and pass to the next player in line for a shot.
If the dribbler completes a lap before a shooter makes a shot, the dribbling team gets a run and the next dribbler goes. The first dribbler would then go to the end of the line.
If a shooter makes it before the dribbler completes a lap, the dribbler is out and takes a knee wherever they were at when the shot was made.
The “inning” is complete whenever all the dribbling team is out. Then the 2 teams will switch roles.
The team with the most points after a set number of innings is the winner.
Coaching Points:
- Make sure that you play the game from both sides of the floor so that players get a chance to work on developing both hands.
- Depending on how skilled your team is, you may want to have the shooters make multiple shots before the dribbler is out, otherwise none of the dribbling team may be able to complete a lap before getting out.
- Another way to play the game is by having the shooting team get a certain number of outs before the teams switch roles. This will keep the game moving a little quicker if the shooters aren’t making many shots.
3. 21 Cone Shooting
A fun, competitive shooting game that incorporates a degree of conditioning as well, 21 Cone Shooting is a great drill to put at the end of your practices to finish on a high note. And it’s also another game where the shooting spots can be adjusted to fit any level of basketball to keep it fun for everyone.
Setup:
Begin by setting up 21 cones somewhere away from the basket the teams are shooting at. The older the players, the farther away the cones should be. Also, if you don’t have 21 cones, any number of cones can work as long as it is an odd number.
Separate the players into 2 teams and give each of the teams 1 basketball. Place teams at identical shooting spots on opposite sides of the floor (each elbow, block, etc.).
How it Works:
On the whistle, the first player for each team will shoot the basketball.
On a miss, they rebound the ball, pass it to the next player, and go to the end of the line to wait for their next turn.
On a make, however, the player does the exact same thing except after passing to the player, they sprint to grab a cone and put it near their team before going to the end of the line.
Play continues until there are no cones left, and the team with the most cones on their side of the floor is the winner.
Coaching Points:
- Set a shooting location that all of your players have a chance to make it from and not just some of them so that each player can experience success.
- With both teams shooting at the same basket, there will be times when one team’s ball knocks the other’s out. That is just part of the challenge of the game, so players may want to try to time their shot so it doesn’t happen right when the other team is shooting.
- You can add some extra fun to the drill by scattering cones in all different places around the gym. If you really want to add some excitement, you can even put some out in a hallway around the gym so players have to race all over the place to fetch them.
4. 40 and a Half
40 and a Half is a fun shooting drill often used by teams during pre-game walkthroughs as a light-hearted way to get shots up. It has often been used to determine which team will get pre-game meal or snacks first. In its original form, it requires a half-court shot to finish the game, but shooting spots can be modified to fit any team’s shooting abilities.
Setup:
Break the players into 2 evenly matched teams.
Each team should go to their own end of the floor to shoot, beginning at the right block.
Each team will have 2 basketballs.
How it Works:
On the whistle, the teams begin shooting from the first spot.
Once they have made 10 shots as a team, they immediately go to the left block to make 10 from there.
After completing that, the team splits up at the elbows and has to make 10 shots altogether from that distance.
Then they must make 10 shots from the top of the key.
Lastly, the game is won when the first team has a player hit the final shot from half court.
Coaching Points:
- Make sure that each player is shooting from all of the spots. Even if the players are more inside-type players, make them shoot from all of the spots to improve their shooting range.
- You can determine just how picky you want to be with the final shot. If you want, your players can shoot it from anywhere inside the center circle, or you can force them to make it from behind the half-court line.
- It is fine if players figure out to have a player rebound a teammate’s shot as the shots become farther away. Just make sure everyone rotates through this spot and it’s not just one player who is rebounding instead of shooting.
5. Pressure Free Throws
This is a great end-of-practice drill to work on shooting free throws with a small degree of pressure. Your players can add an added layer of difficulty by yelling and trying to distract the shooter as they are shooting.
Setup:
Line all of your players up at the free throw line.
Only 1 basketball is needed for this game.
How it Works:
The players will shoot free throws 1 at a time.
Once a player makes one, there is “pressure” on the player behind them. They must make the shot or they are out of the drill.
If the second person makes the shot, the “pressure” carries on to the next player and so on until a player misses a free throw.
The game continues until there is only 1 player left and they are the winner.
Coaching Points:
- Let the age of your players determine how picky you want to be with their crossing the line on their shots. For older players, make sure they are fully behind the free throw line and stay there until their shot hits the rim.
- Once a player gets out, they can go to a different basket and shoot free throws on their own or with a rebounder so they are not just standing around for the end of practice.
- If you have a small group, you can play this game so that players aren’t out after their first miss under pressure. You can give a set number of pressure misses they can have before they are out. This way they get more practice at shooting pressure free throws.
6. Around the World
Around the World is a fun shooting game for small groups of players that is competitive and puts shooters under a degree of pressure. It’s a great game to play in the gym after practice or even out in the driveway.
Setup:
The shooting spots for this drill are the corners, wings, and top of the key. If you are coaching younger players, you can scoot those spots in to where they can make shots from.
Designate 1 player as the first shooter and the rest as rebounders and passers.
How it Works:
The first player starts in the corner and shoots.
If they make it, they advance to the next spot at the wing. And on every make, they continue to advance to the next spot.
But if they miss the shot, they have 2 choices: either stop and begin at that spot again on their next turn OR chance it and take a 2nd shot. However, if they miss this one, they have to go back to the beginning spot on their next shot.
Players continue going around the perimeter in this way until one of them has made it all the way around the perimeter and back to the starting spot (10 makes in all).
Coaching Points:
- If you are working with younger players, you may need to help them understand the concept of “chancing it,” especially at an early spot when there isn’t really much risk involved.
- If you have a group with a variety of abilities, have the more advanced players shoot from farther away and the less-skilled players shoot from a little closer. This can help create a competitive game even for players at different levels.
- Feel free to vary the shooting spots for this game to match locations players will regularly shoot from in your offense.
7. All-Star Shootout
A fun team shooting drill that gives the feeling of an All Star-type competition. Being able to look across the court at the progress of the other team adds a level of pressure for the shooters and will help them keep a fast pace during the entire game.
Setup:
Place cones at a handful of locations on both sides of the floor that your players can consistently hit shots from.
Divide the players into 2 fairly even teams and put one team on each side of the floor with a basketball.
How it Works:
On the whistle, the first player on each team will dribble out to one of the cones and take a shot.
If they make the shot, the player will grab the rebound and the cone from where they shot and bring them both back to their line.
If they miss the shot, they will rebound the ball, pass it to the next player, and go to the end of the line.
The winning team is the one who makes a shot from each of the cones and brings them back to their line.
Coaching Points:
- Pick your shooting locations wisely so that your players have a good chance to make them.
- If you have a group with a wide range of abilities, set out cones both near and far away from the basket. Then allow them to huddle quickly to come up with a game plan for how they’re going to attack the drill.
- To add more of a layer of conditioning to the drill, have the players run the cones to half court or to you as they make the shots. It can also add a little more excitement to the game as well.
8. Sharks and Minnows
Sharks and Minnows is probably the most popular basketball dribbling game there is. But beyond being fun and entertaining for the players, it is a great way for them to also practice their dribbling skills, especially at high speeds.
Setup:
Pick out 2 “sharks” and put them at half court, facing away from the rest of the players.
The rest of the players should get a basketball and spread out along the baseline. These players are the “minnows.”
How it Works:
On the whistle, the sharks will turn around and attempt to tag the minnows as they try to dribble to the opposite baseline.
If a minnow gets tagged, they need to take a knee where they were tagged and can now become a shark by attempting to tag minnows who dribble near them.
Play for a certain number of trips or until there is only one minnow left.
Then pick 2 new sharks (usually the last 2 remaining minnows) and play it again.
Coaching Points:
- Keep a close eye on the minnows as they dribble. If they commit any dribbling violations or go out of bounds, they are automatically out.
- You can make it more difficult for the sharks by forcing them to knock the ball out of bounds or steal it before the minnows are out.
- If you also want the sharks to work on their ball handling as well, you can give them a basketball and force them to dribble as they chase the minnows attempting to tag them out.
9. Dribble Knockout
This is another fun basketball game that is focused on ball handling, but more specifically, on protecting the basketball against a defender. Even better, this drill does not require a hoop, so if you have a lot more players than baskets at your practice, this is a great game to use to maximize your space.
Setup:
Give each of the players who will be playing a basketball.
Then pick out the area the game will start in. You want to pick a big enough area for the players to not be crowded, but not too big so they can just stand off in a corner without being tested. Typically a good starting point is half court or inside the 3-point line.
How it Works:
On the whistle, players will begin dribbling around and attempting to knock the other players’ balls out of the playing area.
If a player has their ball knocked out, they can either sit out of bounds or shoot free throws on the other end of the court, depending on how much space you have available.
Once the number of players gets reduced, the coach will call out the new playing area for players to stay within.
Eventually, the final 2 players will get matched up inside the half circle above the free throw line and the final one still dribbling is the winner.
Coaching Points:
- The biggest challenge with this game is players not being honest about if their ball went out of bounds or players just physically pushing another player out of bounds. The more “referees” you can have on the court watching as many of the players as possible, the fewer disputes you will have.
- Keep reminding players to keep their heads up to see where potential defenders are and to attempt to avoid them and possible collisions.
- Even though serving as “referees” could be more beneficial, players love when their coaches participate as well and really look to team up on them to get them out.
10. Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light is another fun ball handling game that also works on stopping and starting legally. In addition, it is also a great game for players to work on the always underdeveloped skill of listening as well.
Setup:
Give every player a basketball and line them up either along the baseline or sideline depending on how many of them there are.
The coach should be somewhere in the middle of the playing area so that all the players can see and hear clearly.
For this drill, “Green light” means to go, and “Red light” means to stop.
How it Works:
When the coach yells “Green light,” the players all begin dribbling as quickly as they can to the other side of the floor (a great initial step is to yell “Go” instead and watch the players all move before sending them back).
Next, the coach will at some point yell “Red light.” Upon hearing this, the players should immediately (and legally) stop where they are at. If a player continues moving or travels, send them back to the starting line.
From here, the coach continues to yell “Green light” or “Red light” as the players progress across the court. At any point a player moves when they should not, they get sent back to the starting line.
Play until the first person reaches the other side of the court or for a set number of trips.
Coaching Points:
- This is another game that players love to cheat at. So be very strict on footwork and if players are traveling on their stop or continuing to dribble too long after hearing “Red light.”
- If you have a skilled bunch of players, you can add extra colors to the game. “Yellow light” can be for players to walk, and “Purple light” could be for players to dribble going backward.
- Really emphasize to players how important it is to stop under control and in a low, balanced position so they avoid traveling or turning the ball over.
11. Basketball Drag Race
Basketball Drag Race is a fun drill that works on making layups at full speed. Since it is a competitive game against another team, the added element of pressure makes this more game-like than normal layup lines.
Setup:
Divide your players into 2 teams and put them in a line on opposing baselines.
Spread out all the basketballs you have across the half court line.
How it Works:
On the whistle, the first player from each line will sprint to half court, pick up a basketball, and dribble back to their basket to shoot a layup.
If the player misses the layup, they have to dribble the ball back to half court and place it back on the line.
If a player makes a layup, a coach will put the ball back at half court.
The next player in each line can go when either the layup is made or a missed layup is put back at half court.
The team that makes the most layups after a set amount of time (5 minutes is a good starting point) is the winner.
Coaching Points:
- Depending on the skill level of your team, require them to use specific finishes for their layups. Maybe they all have to use their weak hand or finish with a reverse layup.
- Instead of just counting specific makes within a certain amount of time, you could see which team is able to complete the longest streak within that time. This puts a little more pressure on each shot than normal.
- If you want to really penalize missed layups, make players complete a dribble obstacle course before they return the ball to half court after a miss.
12. Dribble Relays
A classic dribbling drill, Dribble Relays remain an absolute favorite of players no matter their age or skill level. Not only does it allow them to work on specific skills, but there is also a degree of competitiveness and silliness that are rarely repeated in other games.
Setup:
Separate your players into teams. Usually 4-5 players per team works pretty well.
Spread your teams out and have each team stay in a line. Along the sideline works well when there are many teams, but if you just have a few teams, the baseline will work.
Give each team 1 basketball for them to share in the relay.
Sometimes you can set up cones to mark specific spots in the relay, but that isn’t required.
How it Works:
Before the race begins, the coach should clearly state what dribble skill should be completed during the race. Examples could be speed dribble, weak hand dribble, backward dribble, or specific change of direction moves at each cone.
On the whistle, the first player for each team will begin their section of the relay.
Once they complete their leg, they need to HAND the ball to the next player in line and take a seat behind their line.
The first team with each member completing their leg of the relay and seated is the winner.
The coach can come up with a new dribble move to complete and the game can be repeated as many times as necessary.
Coaching Points:
- It is very easy for players to rush through their portion of the relay and neglect the actual ball handling aspect. Make sure players are completing the appropriate dribble moves when it is their turn.
- Have a very clear line as the exchange zone for the relay (that’s why the sideline or baseline works well). Otherwise, players like to cut their dribbling short and just pass the ball back to the next player in line to try to win the drill.
- As your team’s ball handling skills improve, you can do 2-ball dribbling relays with them. Just make sure they are ready for it or there will be more ball chasing than ball handling.
13. Cone Tip Over Drill
This drill is a slightly different way for players to work on their ball handling skills by competing against another team. But even better than that, players are able to work on communication and teamwork skills over the course of the game.
Setup:
Set up 5-10 cones on each side of the floor.
Divide your players into 2 teams and give each player a basketball.
- Put the teams on opposite baselines. Tell one team they are to knock over the cones while keeping their dribble (Team 1) and the other that they are to pick up knocked-over cones while keeping their dribble (Team 2).
How it Works:
On the whistle, the teams begin going around the court to either knock down or pick up cones.
If a player from Team 1 loses their dribble, they have to pick up a cone.
And if a player from Team 2 loses their dribble, they have to knock over a cone.
At the end of 30-60 seconds, Team 1 gets a point for each cone that is knocked over and Team 2 gets a point for each cone still standing. The team with the most points wins.
Have the teams switch roles and play it again.
Coaching Points:
- You can require players to dribble with their strong hand, weak hand, or either hand during the game to focus on specific skills.
- Really stress to your players to focus on their task and not get distracted by the other team so they lose control of their dribble.
- One way to add a little more excitement to the drill is to have the teams switch roles halfway through the game to force them to change their focus and be able to communicate with their teammates on the fly.
14. War
War is a great variation of a 1-on-1 game that players enjoy. It helps players work on their reaction times and reading game situations to make the best possible play. The unpredictability of this game makes it a player-favorite, no matter the age level.
Setup:
Divide your players into 2 teams and put them on separate sidelines. Designate which team will be going toward which basket.
Give each player a number. For example, if you have 6 players per team, you would number them 1-6.
The coach would be standing somewhere in the middle of the court and have a basketball.
How it Works:
The coach will call out anywhere from 1-5 numbers and throw the ball out toward the middle.
For example, if the coach wanted a game of 1 on 1, he might call out “3!” But if he wanted a game of 3 on 3, he might yell “2, 4, and 5!”
The players whose numbers get called run for the basketball and try to score at their designated basket.
It is a full court game, so if one team misses and the other rebounds, they need to head to the opposite basket.
Play until one of the teams scores or for a certain amount of time if the groups struggle to score.
Then get the ball back to the coach, get the players lined up again, call out more numbers, and repeat the drill.
Play for a certain amount of time or until a team reaches a certain amount of points.
Coaching Points:
- The most important point for this game to work well is to try to have players of similar abilities get the same number. It can be a very frustrating drill if the matchups are extremely uneven.
- If a team is struggling, you can throw the ball closer to their sideline so they get the advantage of starting with the basketball and getting a chance to score before the other team.
- A fun alternative to this is starting out by calling out one number and then progressively calling out more numbers while the play is going on. So it can begin as 1 on 1, but end up 4 on 4.
15. Ultimate Basketball
Ultimate Basketball switches up a normal scrimmage situation by playing a game similar to Ultimate Football. Eliminating dribbling forces players to focus on moving without the ball to get open, passing effectively, and moving the ball up the floor quickly to score.
Setup:
Divide your players into 2 even teams and have them line up like the opening tip for a regular basketball game. The game works best when there are 4-5 players on the floor at a time from each team.
Designate which “end zone” each team will be moving toward.
How it Works:
The game will begin with a jump ball like normal.
But once a team has control, any time the ball hits the floor again it is a turnover.
The team in possession looks to pass the ball up the floor without dribbling. If they are able to pass the ball to a teammate beyond their baseline, they score a “touchdown.”
If a team scores, the other team takes over from the end zone and looks to move the ball up the floor in the other direction toward their end zone.
If a team drops a pass or the ball hits the floor, the other team takes possession where the ball touched the floor and immediately heads the other way.
Play for a certain amount of time or until a team reaches a certain amount of points.
Coaching Points:
- If you are a big believer in the bounce pass, you can allow those passes to be made and not result in a turnover. You just have to make sure it is a clean bounce pass to a teammate or it is a turnover.
- If you have subs for each team, have them stand on one of the sidelines. Then after a score, send them on the court to quickly sub for their team. Don’t allow substitutions to occur after a turnover or it eliminates the advantage for the defense.
- Stress to players the importance of quick ball movement to counter not being able to dribble. If players quickly move after passing the ball, the game is great at showing the effectiveness of a give-and-go up the floor.
Conclusion:
Give one of these fun basketball games a try the next time you have practice with your team, whether it’s to keep your players enjoying the game or to lighten the mood after a tough game.
Your players will view it as an opportunity for them to have a little fun, but you can also rest assured knowing it’s also developing their skills at the same time.