Basketballexercises for u12

To improve shooting, the players practice the movement first without the actual basket. 

  • They stand in position with knees slightly bent,
  • hold a basketball with the strong hand under the ball and the other hand behind it. 
  • The players bring the ball to the shot zone (in front of and above the head). 
  • Next, the players push the basketball in the desired direction after which the hand and wrist move downwards (gooseneck). 
  • If this goes well, the players can try to shoot in the direction of the basket.
  • They can vary with place and distance.


The players practice the lay-up. 

  • They divide themselves over 2 rows, 1 on the left side of the basket and 1 on the right side of the basket. 
  • The first player of each row dribbles to the basket with the strong hand. 
  • Then the player takes 2 steps, first with the strong leg, then with the weaker leg. 
  • The player takes a jump with the strong leg and tries to throw the ball against the square on the board after which it ends up in the basket. 
  • The player catches the ball and dribbles to the row on the other side and then ends at the back of the row to try it from the other side.



Aim:

  • Elbow shot
  • Outlet pass after scoring
  • overhead pass from low post to elbow


Organization:

  • rebounding after shot and stepping directly over the back line and taking the ball
  • always follow the ball and take the next position
  • set a target; e.g. 30 shots


Teaching Points:

  • In the final step, bring the ball over the head and turn the face towards the field
  • tight overhead pass to the outlet
  • ask high for the ball
  • Pass the ball in the shooting hand


Variations:

  • left and right
  • Fill waiting time at forward position with fake passes
  • Vice versa: After scoring, pass to the elbow and shoot from the corner
  • Centers + Guards + Forwards - starting from U12
  • 2 or more players
  • 1 ball per pair
  • two baskets


Requirements: 

  • Performing a layup while running and receiving a pass


Aim:

  • Speed dribble along the sideline because it is the shortest route to the other side
  • pass and catch at speed 


Organization:

  • player shoots a free throw and takes the rebound
  • catch the ball as high as possible
  • 3 sprints to the outlet position and calls
  • passes with an overhead pass to the outlet
  • the man with the ball dribbles along the sideline as fast as possible 
  • the man with the ball passes to the one who shot
  • gets the pass at full speed
  • and makes the layup without a dribble


Teaching Points:

  • Sprinting
  • communication
  • correct dribble start
  • pushing the ball at speed dribble
  • dribbler should see where the flyer is
  • pass timing
  • shooter catches his own ball
  • Player that passes the ball sprints under the circle to the outlet on the other side
  • calls
  • gets the ball at the outlet position with an overhead pass
  • Both players walk the same 2 to 0 break as on the way there
  • but now on the other half of the field 


Variation:

  • Put 1 defender at each basket
  • Defender catches the ball and gives outlet pass
  • and becomes a flyer
  • shooter becomes defender

This exercise helps players with their conditioning and their ability to shoot a ball while running as well as when they are tired.

1. break up your team into three groups of four players each. One group is located on each baseline and one group is in the middle of the court, as shown in the picture.

2. The four players on the center line must spread out along the center line.

3. the groups of four players standing on the baselines each get a basketball. 

4. When the whistle sounds, the players in the middle run to the baseline and ask for a ball that is passed to them by a player on the baseline.

5. The player then catches the ball, shoots at the nearest basket and retrieves his own rebound.

6. The person who has passed the ball runs to the other end of the court and gets a pass from the other baseline and the rotation continues.

Learning points

  • players should be reminded to work hard in this exercise for conditioning purposes. 
  • They should also give a target for passing the ball and use appropriate footwork and shooting techniques. 
  • Make sure that the passes are clean and good


Variations

  • The type of scoring can be varied in this exercise (3-point, mid-range, lay-ups, etc.)
  • Give the players a  certain time and a goal for the number of points to be made. 
  • This can be varied depending on the ability of the team or the time you have available.

three-team-shots

  • Place some baskets down.
  • Large, small, high and low baskets.
  • Always let two players get as many points as possible by throwing the basketball into the baskets.
  • The smallest basket that is furthest away awards the most points.
  • The biggest basket that is closest is worth less points.
  • Whoever scores 10 points first wins
  • This basketball game can also be played with hoops on the ground.
  • A good exercise to learn how to aim.
  • The teacher places 2 pilons.
  • See floor plan for the precise location, keep the basketball lines.
  • The teacher divides the students into 2 teams and each team stands behind a pilon.
  • The teams have to shoot the ball from the pilon into the basket.
  • When a student has shot, he/she picks up the ball, gives/passes the ball to the next in line and connects to the back of the line again.
  • Every ball that goes into the basket is a point.
  • The team that scored 5 points first wins.


shootout-2

  • Depends on the number of balls. 
  • In pairs or alone
  • When alone:
    • Start at your position, dribble across the basket. 
    • Set or Jumpshot from your position (Guard, forward, center). 
    • Up to 8 points.
  • In pairs: 
    • Start at your position, pass to the opposite side of the basket. 
    • Last pass should be good so that shooter in jumpshot is ready for his/her shot. 
    • Up to 4 points per player. 
    • Losers: Slides over the width of the pitch, 1x back and forth.
  • 1 row of players stands in the corner at the 3-point line without ball. (A)
  • 1 row of players stands 1 meter outside the bucket and 1 meter below the free throwing line with ball. (B)
  • A runs to edge of the bucket on baseline and blocks (fictional). (2 pilons)
  • Cuts to head of the bucket, turns in with right foot, gets pass from B. B follows the pass.



  • Defense. A takes shot/ lay-up...
  • B moves to row A. Player A catches his own ball and connects in row B.
  • Left and right, basic drill for pick & roll offense.
  • Can be played with 2 baskets.
  • Team with 3 balls in a row on the freethrow line.
    • First one shoots, 
    • second one shoots, 
    • If the previous player misses, the next player can shoot him out of the game.
  • If you miss your shot, quickly finish under the basket. 
  • If the player behind it scores, the next player is out. 
  • Until one remains.
  • With 3 balls, faster, more effective than with 2.

Requirements:

  • Stopping two feet together, pivoting, lay-up and jumpshot must be known


Aim:

  • When passing, jump towards the ball with feet coming down correctly to start the next movement. (pivoting, start dribble)


Organization:

1. Coach gives passes from position 1, alternating left and right from under the basket. Give passes where jump-to-the-ball applies.

2. Player starts under the basket (2 groups of 5 to 6 players, of which two/group have a ball) ==> fast; explosive exercise.

3. Run to cone under the basket and quickly pushes himself away towards the cone at spot 2 or 3.

4. Makes movement from the cone to the ball to get the pass and perform a jump-to-the-ball.

5. After getting the ball pivot and attack towards the basket (first lay-up, then shot)

6. After finishing, change sides and pass the ball


Teaching points:

  • Rapid explosive movement when running free
  • correct ball acceptance (show hands) and foot placement
  • pivoting and fast attacks without running errors
drawing jump to the ball
  • Three rows. 
  • Shoot and join at the back of the next row.
  • Hurry up, watch where you're going.
  • Everybody catch a ball, catch your own ball and join the back of the next row.
  • Variations:
    • Up to the twenty or thirty.
    • Until everyone has scored ten times.


  • A row with ball at the head of the bucket.
  • A row behind the free throw line on the right.
  • Player on the head passes the ball to the forward on the side.
  • The forward makes a strong drive to the triangle (defender), passes the ball out to the forward on weakside.
  • The forward makes a strong drive to the basket.
  • The player in front and the other forward who has passed go for the rebound.
drawing Drive to the basket extended