How to Teach Basketball Games to Kids
Kids learn to play basketball by playing basketball. While drills have their place, they are often boring and not fun for young children. Teach your children some fun basketball games and they will improve their basketball skills and have fun at the same time.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Basketballs
- Smaller balls
- Basketball nets
- Baskets or hula hoops
- Electric or masking tape
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1
Show children how to pass the ball by playing catch with preschoolers and young elementary aged students. Use a small foam ball at first, and gradually work up to a basketball. Beginning with a small, soft ball will help children learn not to be afraid of the ball.
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2
Teach kids how to shoot by setting up a child sized basketball hoop. An alternative to this is any basket or hula hoop set at the child's chest level. Have her practice shooting from two or three feet away. Gradually increase the height of the hoop and the space between the child and the hoop.
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3
Practice passing the ball and shooting. Do this by playing a basketball game called net ball. In this game, the kids do not dribble at all, and traveling with the ball is not allowed. All they do is pass the ball from person to person until someone is close enough to make a shot. This reduces runaway balls caused by imperfect dribbling.
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4
Practice dribbling with games. Mark an X for each child on the floor with tape, and give each child a ball. Ask each child to dribble the ball one time on their X, then hold the ball. Anyone whose ball bounces away is out of the game. The next round, ask them to dribble the ball twice on the X. Continue until there is one child left, then start again.
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5
Transition the kids into two-on-two or three-on-three games to teach defense and team strategy. Try to place children with similar abilities together to avoid frustration and injury.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Always stress good sportsmanship over winning. Keep the atmosphere light and fun.
Encourage taking turns and cooperating with even the youngest children. These skills will serve them well as they grow and begin playing basketball for a team.
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- Photo Credit Benjieordonez
