Youth Basketball Fundamental Movements For Players, Parents & Coaches

Youth Basketball Fundamental Movements are the basic tools needed to be a more effective and efficient player. Every aspect of basketball – (offense, defense, dribbling, passing, shooting, etc…) requires certain fundamental movements. I have given you several drills to work on these movements.

By working on these youth basketball fundamental movements…

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Players will learn how to move more effectively and efficiently on the basketball court. They will reduce the amount of wasted motion and will improve their balance and quickness.

Parents will have a better understanding of the fundamental movements needed by their child to improve their basketball skills. They will be in a better position to help their child succeed at the game.

Coaches will be able to teach their players how to move more quickly and efficiently, while reducing wasted movements and energy. They will show their players how to control their bodies and how to move with a purpose.

If you’re still not convinced how important it is to work on the youth basketball fundamental movements, check out what NBA legend Larry Bird thinks!

“First master the fundamentals.” – Larry Bird

Basketball Fundamental Movement Drills

Drill Pointers:

  • Each drill is done to the opposite baseline, and then back.
  • The players should always start the drill in a basic position and be ready to move on the coach’s command.
  • Players should keep proper floor spacing between the four lines and the players in their group.
  • The players should begin either on the coach’s command or when the player in front of them reaches the free throw line.
  • Each group performs the drills to the opposite baseline, regroups and waits for the coach’s command.

1. Stance Check

Goal – To practice getting into and maintaining a basic stance.

Equipment – Basketball court, half-court.

Action – Players spread out on the basketball court. They get into and maintain a basic stance. The coach or a partner checks for proper stance.

2. Line Starts, Steps, Stops

Goal – To practice starting, pivoting and stopping.

Equipment – Basketball court, full-court.

Action – Players divide into four groups and form four lines behind one of the baselines. The coach stands at midcourt facing the players. The coach calls out one of the following moves for the players to perform.

Moves:

  • Stutter-step – Players start from the baseline and go down court with their hands up, and making their shoes squeak.
  • Change of pace – Players will alternate two to three slow and fast moves after making a quick start. Players should use a variety of steps and be quick.
  • Pivots – Players will run down the court and perform front and rear pivots at the free throw line, midcourt line and opposite free throw line, simulating a game situation.
  • Quick stops – Players will run down the court and perform quick stops at the free throw line, midcourt line and opposite free throw line.
  • Stride stops – Players will work on forward and reverse movements. Players will run to the free throw line, stop, reverse and run back to the baseline.This is repeated down the court in the following manner- baseline to half-court line and back to the free throw line, free throw line to opposite free throw line and back to half-court line, half-court line to opposite baseline back to opposite free-throw line and finish up to the opposite baseline.
  • Spacing jog – The first four players jog down the court at their own pace. The next player in line starts when the player is 15 feet down court. The players must work on maintaining this spacing. To make this drill more challenging, have the players perform various change of pace and start and stop moves.

More Drills for Youth Basketball Fundamental Movements

3. Line Quick Jumps

Goal – To practice basic jumping skills needed for shooting and rebounding.

Equipment – Basketball court, full court or half court.

Action – Players divide into four groups and form four lines behind one of the baselines. The coach stands at midcourt facing the players. The first player in each line sprints to the free throw line, performs a quick stop and then performs five quick jumps in place. They repeat this process at the half-court line and opposite free throw line.

4. Jump Ball Tipping

Goal – To practice the jumping skills needed for the jump ball situation.

Equipment – A basketball and the jump circles on the court.

Action – Players will practice their basic jumping techniques with a partner at one of the jump circles on the court. The coach or another player will throw the ball up for the jump ball.

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I hope you found these drills for the Youth Basketball Fundamental Movements to be helpful and informative. Remember – to be an effective, complete, all-around basketball player – you must master these fundamental movements first!

If you need more great information on these youth basketball fundamental movements or other basketball topics, I would suggest you purchase some good basketball books and videos. These will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about the game of basketball.