Dribbling And Layup Footwork Practice Plan

Start with everyone spread on the sidelines with a ball (or partners sharing). We’re warming up while touching a ball the whole time.

• 30 seconds each: jogging dribble, high-knee dribble, butt-kick dribble, side-shuffle dribble (switch hands halfway).
• Finish with 3 quick “red light/green light” stops: on “red,” they jump stop and hug the ball.
• Cues: “Ball below your waist.” “Off-hand up.” “Eyes up—find me.”
• Common issue: kids slap at the ball and lose it on side shuffles. Fix: slow the feet down, keep the dribble low, and make them hold the off-hand up like a guard.

Quick reminder before we move: when I say “Statue,” everyone freezes with a foot on a line and the ball hugged. That’s our reset button today.

Players in two long lines on the sidelines (or a big circle at half court). Everyone has space so balls aren’t colliding. If you’re short on balls, pair up and alternate every 20 seconds.

• 20 seconds each: right-hand pound, left-hand pound, low dribbles (ankle height), high dribbles (waist), crossovers (slow then quicker), between-the-legs (if they have it) or side-to-side taps.
• Between sets, you walk the line and tap an off-hand down if it drops—then they redo that 20-second set.
• Watch for: the dribble stays out in front of the hip, not bouncing behind the foot.
• Cues: “Pound it—don’t pet it.” “Thumb on top.” “Off-hand is your shield.”
• Adjustment: if it’s too clean, add a rule that their eyes must look up to find how many fingers you’re holding up every 3 dribbles.

Set 3 lanes from baseline to half court using flat discs. Put a cone “gate” in each lane around the free-throw line area. Split the group into 3 lines so waits are short.

Players dribble up to the gate, make one move (crossover or inside-out), then accelerate 3 hard dribbles past the gate and jog back outside the lane.

• Cues: “Slow into the move, fast out.” “Plant outside foot.” “Push the ball—don’t lift it.”
• Watch for: head and shoulders change direction with the ball (not just a lazy hand switch).
• Common issue: they turn their back on the move and spin into traffic. Fix: require the belly button to stay facing downcourt through the move; if they spin, they redo at half speed once.
• Adjustment: if kids are losing it, move the gate closer so they have fewer dribbles before the move and can focus on the plant and push.

Water, then bring them in on the baseline with a ball tucked. Keep it tight—this is a 60-second teaching window.

Demo the two layup step patterns and have them say it with you: right side “left-right-up,” left side “right-left-up.”

• Cue you’ll use all day: “Show me the ball (gather) … say your steps … freeze your finish.”

Two lines at each basket if possible: right block and left block. If you only have one hoop, run right-side line and left-side line at the same time. Coach stands on the side of the rim to see feet.

First 2 minutes are walk-through speed: catch, two steps, finish. Then go to game speed. Rebound your own and pass to the next player in line.

• Watch for: the last step is long and points to the backboard, not sideways.
• Cues: “Chin on the square.” “Knee up.” “Soft off the glass.”
• Common issue: kids hop before the first step (creates an extra step). Fix: tell them “no hop—step right away,” and for one rep have them start with their pivot foot already down to feel the first step.
• Adjustment: if they’re making everything, add a finish rule: right side must finish with the right hand, left side with the left hand.

Put a cone at each wing and each top-of-key spot (use both ends if you can). Players start at a cone with a ball, take 1–2 dribbles in, then finish with the correct steps. Keep two lines going per hoop to avoid backups.

1. First round: strong-hand dribble to strong-side layup.
2. Second round: cross over at the cone and finish on the opposite side (controlled crossover, then steps).

• Cues: “Last dribble out front.” “Big gather—show me the ball.” “Left-right-up / right-left-up.”
• Watch for: they pick the ball up before the last dribble and shuffle—make sure the last dribble happens before the gather.
• Common issue: they drift under the rim and shoot behind the backboard. Fix: place a flat disc as a takeoff dot outside the block; they must step on/near it on the last step.

Quick water. While they drink, set two cones at half court for a simple finishing game. Tell them the next block is competitive but we’re still grading footwork.

Split into two teams. If you have two hoops, one team shoots right-side layups at one basket and the other shoots left-side layups at the other (switch halfway). If you only have one hoop, run two lines at the same basket at the same time — a right-side line and a left-side line, each with its own ball — so nobody is standing and waiting for a turn. Shooter rebounds and hands off to the next player in their own line right away.

Scoring: 1 point for a make, but it only counts if the shooter says the steps out loud and lands balanced. If they travel or say the wrong steps, it’s an automatic no-point even if it goes in.

• Cues: “Say it early.” “Freeze the landing.” “High off the square.”
• Adjustment: if it’s too easy, require a cone touch before the gather (forces control). If it’s messy, allow a closer start point and focus on clean feet.

Everyone on the free-throw line. Two deep breaths, light stretch (calves/quads) while holding a ball.

Ask two quick questions: “Right side steps?” “Left side steps?” Then one reminder for next time: “Off-hand up, eyes up.” End with a team break.