Basketball Drills for Beginners: Simple Drills to Build Your Skills
Basketball gets easier when you stop trying to practise everything at once.
A beginner does not need complicated drills, fancy cones, or a professional training program.
You need a small group of simple drills that improve the basic skills you actually use in a game:
- dribbling
- passing
- shooting
- layups
- defensive movement
- rebounding
The key is to practise them with control before adding speed.
Quick answer: The best basketball drills for beginners are simple, repeatable exercises that teach ball control, passing, shooting form, layup footwork, defensive movement, and rebounding. Start slowly, use both sides of the body, and increase speed only when your technique stays clean.
What Should a Beginner Practise First?
The World Association of Basketball Coaches’ beginner resources organize skill development around fundamentals such as:
- passing
- dribbling
- shooting
- layup footwork
- defensive movement
- activities that combine those skills
That is a useful model for a new player.
You do not need to master one skill completely before touching another.
Instead, build a basic foundation in several areas and return to them regularly.
How to Use These Drills
For each drill:
- learn the movement slowly
- repeat it with control
- use both hands or both sides when appropriate
- add speed gradually
- stop and reset when your technique breaks down
Do not count a sloppy repetition as a good repetition just because it was fast.
Quality Before Speed
A beginner often wants to move at game speed immediately.
That usually causes:
- high dribbles
- inaccurate passes
- rushed shooting form
- wrong layup steps
- poor defensive balance
Start slower than you think you need to.
Once the movement feels repeatable, increase the pace.
12 Simple Basketball Drills for Beginners
The drills below cover the most useful beginner skills.
You can do many of them alone.
A few become better with a partner.
Drill 1: Stationary Pound Dribbles
Skill: Ball control
Stand in an athletic position.
Dribble the ball firmly with your right hand.
Keep the ball around knee-to-waist height rather than letting it rise toward your shoulder.
After a set of repetitions, switch to your left hand.
How to Do It
- Bend your knees slightly.
- Keep your head up as much as possible.
- Push the ball into the floor with your fingertips and hand.
- Keep the dribble close to your body.
- Repeat with both hands.
Beginner Target
Try:
- 20 right-hand dribbles
- 20 left-hand dribbles
- 2 to 3 rounds
Do not worry about dribbling as hard as possible.
Control comes first.
Drill 2: Crossover Control
Skill: Changing hands
A crossover moves the ball from one hand to the other in front of your body.
For a beginner, the goal is not a flashy move.
The goal is to transfer the ball without losing balance.
How to Do It
- Start in a low athletic stance.
- Dribble with the right hand.
- Push the ball diagonally across the body.
- Receive it with the left hand.
- Repeat back to the right.
Keep the ball below your waist if possible.
Beginner Target
Perform 20 controlled crossovers.
Rest.
Repeat for 2 to 3 sets.
If the ball keeps escaping, slow down and make the crossover smaller.
Drill 3: Line Dribble
Skill: Dribbling while moving
Use a court line or any safe straight path.
How to Do It
- Walk forward while dribbling with the right hand.
- Return using the left hand.
- Repeat at a light jog.
- Add a controlled stop.
- Add a crossover and change direction.
The purpose is to connect stationary ball control with movement.
Progression
Move from:
walk → jog → change direction → change pace
Do not skip directly to full speed.
To develop better ball control, crossovers, and dribbling while moving, read our beginner guide on how to dribble a basketball.
Drill 4: Wall Pass or Partner Pass
Skill: Passing accuracy
If you have a partner, stand several metres apart.
If you are alone, use a safe solid wall.
Practise:
- chest passes
- bounce passes
Chest Pass
Push the ball from the chest toward the target.
Try to make the pass arrive around the receiver’s chest.
Bounce Pass
Aim for the floor so the ball rises comfortably to your target.
Beginner Target
Try 20 chest passes and 20 bounce passes.
Focus on:
- stepping toward the target
- passing accurately
- receiving the ball under control
For step-by-step instructions on chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes, explore our guide on how to pass a basketball.
Drill 5: Pass and Move
Skill: Passing without standing still
Beginners often pass the ball and then stop.
In real basketball, good movement usually continues after the pass.
With a Partner
- Pass the ball.
- Move to a new spot.
- Show your hands.
- Receive the return pass.
- Repeat.
With a Wall
Pass to the wall, move one or two steps sideways, and receive the rebound from a slightly different position.
Keep the drill controlled.
The purpose is to teach:
pass → move → get ready again
Drill 6: Close-Range Form Shooting
Skill: Shooting mechanics
Start close to the basket.
This is not a contest to see how far you can shoot.
Close range lets you focus on:
- balance
- hand position
- smooth leg power
- release
- follow-through
How to Do It
- Start a short distance from the hoop.
- Set your feet comfortably.
- Keep the ball controlled in your shooting hand with the guide hand helping stabilize it.
- Bend your legs.
- Extend upward.
- Release smoothly.
- Hold the follow-through briefly.
Beginner Target
Make 5 shots from a comfortable close spot.
Move slightly.
Repeat.
If your form changes dramatically because the shot is too far, move closer.
To improve your shooting stance, hand position, release, and follow-through, read our beginner guide on how to shoot a basketball.
Drill 7: Short Spot Shooting
Skill: Repeating your shooting form from different angles
Choose five short-range spots around the basket.
For example:
- left side
- left angle
- front
- right angle
- right side
Take a small number of shots from each spot.
Beginner Target
Try to make 3 shots from each location.
Do not rush from place to place.
Reset your feet before every shot.
Why This Helps
You learn to reproduce the same basic shooting motion from different parts of the court.
Drill 8: Right-Side Layup
Skill: Right-hand finishing and footwork
For a standard beginner right-side layup:
step RIGHT → step LEFT → jump from LEFT foot → lift RIGHT knee → finish with RIGHT hand
Start without dribbling if necessary.
No-Dribble Version
- Stand a few steps from the basket.
- Hold the ball.
- Step right.
- Step left.
- Jump from the left foot.
- Lift the right knee.
- Finish softly with the right hand.
Use the backboard target as a visual guide.
Progression
Add one controlled dribble.
Then add a short approach.
Do not increase speed until the footwork is reliable.
Drill 9: Left-Side Layup
Skill: Left-hand finishing and footwork
The left side mirrors the right:
step LEFT → step RIGHT → jump from RIGHT foot → lift LEFT knee → finish with LEFT hand
Many beginners avoid their weaker side.
That is exactly why you should practise it.
Beginner Target
Do equal repetitions on both sides.
For example:
- 10 right-side attempts
- 10 left-side attempts
Accuracy may be lower on your weaker side at first.
That is normal.
For a complete explanation of the correct steps, takeoff foot, and finishing technique on both sides, read our guide on how to do a layup in basketball.
Drill 10: Defensive Slide
Skill: Lateral defensive movement
Start in a balanced defensive stance.
Move right:
- right foot leads
- left foot follows
- regain your stance
Move left:
- left foot leads
- right foot follows
- regain your stance
Set-Up
Use two court lines or markers about 3 to 5 metres apart.
Slide from one marker to the other.
Return.
Beginner Target
Perform 4 to 6 controlled trips.
Keep your chest up.
Do not turn it into a race.
Drill 11: Closeout Drill
Skill: Approaching a shooter under control
Place a marker or partner several metres away.
How to Do It
- Start in defensive stance.
- Sprint toward the target.
- Slow down near the target.
- Finish with short quick steps.
- Raise both hands.
- Settle into a balanced stance.
The important part is the finish.
If you run past the target, you were not under control.
Beginner Target
Repeat 6 to 10 closeouts.
Alternate the direction you must slide after the closeout.
To learn more about defensive positioning, slides, closeouts, and guarding opponents, see our beginner guide on how to play defense in basketball.
Drill 12: Box-Out and Rebound
Skill: Finishing a defensive possession
This drill is easiest with a partner.
How to Do It
- Start between your partner and the basket.
- Have a shot go up.
- Locate your opponent.
- Make legal body contact and establish position.
- Turn toward the basket.
- Pursue the rebound with two hands.
If you are alone, practise the footwork:
see shot → turn → establish position → pursue ball
Do not simply stand under the rim waiting.
How Many Repetitions Should a Beginner Do?
There is no magic number.
Your goal is enough repetition to learn without allowing fatigue to destroy your technique.
A useful beginner approach is:
- 10 to 20 controlled ball-handling repetitions
- 10 to 20 accurate passes
- 3 to 5 made shots from several close spots
- 5 to 10 layup attempts per side
- 4 to 8 short defensive repetitions
Adjust based on your age, fitness, space, and experience.
Stop the Set When Technique Falls Apart
More repetitions are not automatically better.
If your dribble becomes wild or your shooting form changes badly, pause.
Rest briefly.
Then restart with better control.
A 15-Minute Beginner Basketball Workout
Short practice is still useful.
Try:
3 minutes — ball control
Pound dribbles and crossovers.
3 minutes — moving dribble
Line dribble with both hands.
4 minutes — shooting
Close-range form shooting.
3 minutes — layups
Alternate right and left sides.
2 minutes — defense
Slides and closeouts.
Keep the session simple enough that you can repeat it consistently.
A 30-Minute Beginner Basketball Practice
If you have more time, use a balanced session.
0–5 Minutes: Warm-Up and Ball Feel
Use light movement.
Add:
- easy dribbles
- ball taps
- ball wraps
- right- and left-hand control
Do not begin with your hardest move.
5–10 Minutes: Dribbling
Use:
- pound dribbles
- crossovers
- line dribbling
- changes of pace
Keep your eyes up whenever possible.
10–15 Minutes: Passing
Use a partner or wall.
Practise:
- chest pass
- bounce pass
- pass and move
Prioritize accuracy.
15–22 Minutes: Shooting and Layups
Start with close-range form shooting.
Then add:
- short spot shooting
- right-side layups
- left-side layups
Do not spend all seven minutes launching long shots.
22–27 Minutes: Defense
Use:
- stance
- defensive slides
- slide-to-sprint
- closeouts
Stay balanced.
27–30 Minutes: Finish and Review
Finish with:
- free throws
- easy controlled shots
- or layups
Then ask:
What felt better today?
What still needs work?
Choose one skill to emphasize next time.
How to Make Beginner Drills Harder
Once a drill becomes comfortable, change only one variable at a time.
You can add:
- more speed
- more distance
- weaker-hand repetitions
- a defender
- a time limit
- a decision
- a change of direction
Do not make every drill harder at once.
Example: Dribbling Progression
Start with:
stationary right hand
Then:
stationary left hand
Then:
crossover
Then:
walking
Then:
jogging
Then:
change direction
Then:
live defender
That progression gives your body time to learn.
Practise Both Sides
Basketball rarely lets you choose only your favorite side.
Work on:
- right-hand dribbling
- left-hand dribbling
- right-side layups
- left-side layups
- changing direction both ways
- defensive movement left and right
Your weaker side may feel awkward.
Do not avoid it.
Reduce the speed until you can perform the movement correctly.
Keep a Simple Practice Record
You do not need a complicated spreadsheet.
Record a few things:
- date
- drill
- makes or successful repetitions
- one note about technique
Example:
Form shooting — 20 makes — balance felt better
or:
Left layups — 5/10 — still rushing final step
The purpose is not to create pressure.
It is to notice improvement.
Do Not Judge Every Drill by Makes
Some drills are easy to measure by makes.
Others are about movement quality.
For example, in a defensive slide drill, success may mean:
- staying low
- keeping balance
- leading with the correct foot
- stopping under control
In a passing drill, success may mean hitting the target accurately.
Choose a measurement that matches the skill.
Common Beginner Practice Mistakes
Practising Only Shooting
Shooting is fun, but basketball also requires ball control, passing, defense, and movement.
Fix: Use a balanced practice plan.
Shooting From Too Far
Long shots encourage poor mechanics when you do not yet have enough control or strength.
Fix: Start closer.
Ignoring the Weak Hand
Your weak side never improves if you never use it.
Fix: Give both hands planned repetitions.
Going Too Fast
Speed hides poor technique.
Fix: Slow down until the movement is clean.
Doing Random Drills Every Session
Constantly changing exercises makes it harder to see progress.
Fix: Keep several core drills for a few weeks.
Counting Bad Repetitions
A rushed repetition is not automatically useful.
Fix: Reset when technique breaks down.
Training Until Exhaustion
Extreme fatigue can turn skill practice into survival.
Fix: Use short sets and brief rest.
Never Practising Defense
Beginners sometimes treat defense as something that can only be learned in games.
Fix: Practise stance, slides, recovery, and closeouts separately.
What Equipment Do You Need?
For most beginner drills, you need:
- a basketball
- safe playing space
- a hoop for shooting and layups
Useful but optional:
- cones
- floor markers
- wall
- partner
- timer
If you do not have cones, use safe court lines or flat markers.
Do not place dangerous objects where you may step on them.
Can You Do Basketball Drills Alone?
Yes.
You can practise many beginner skills without a partner:
- stationary dribbling
- moving dribbling
- form shooting
- spot shooting
- layup footwork
- defensive slides
- closeout footwork
Passing is easier with a partner, but a safe wall can work for some passing drills.
The next article in this learning path focuses specifically on solo practice.
How Often Should a Beginner Practise?
Consistency matters more than trying to do one huge session.
A beginner might use:
- short sessions several times per week
- one or two longer practice sessions
- game or pickup play when available
Your schedule depends on your age, fitness, school or work, and access to a court.
The important point is to return to the fundamentals regularly.
Beginner Basketball Drills FAQ
What are the best basketball drills for beginners?
Start with simple drills for dribbling, passing, shooting, layups, defensive movement, and rebounding.
How long should a beginner basketball workout be?
Even 15 to 30 minutes can be useful if the session is organized and your repetitions stay focused.
Should beginners practise every day?
You can practise frequently, but your total workload should match your age, fitness, and recovery. Short skill sessions are often more useful than forcing long exhausted sessions.
What should I practise if I only have 10 minutes?
Choose two or three fundamentals. For example: dribbling, close-range shooting, and layups.
How can I improve my weak hand?
Slow the drill down and give the weak hand deliberate repetitions. Use stationary dribbles first, then movement.
Should I practise three-pointers as a beginner?
Build close-range shooting mechanics first. Move farther away only when you can keep a balanced, repeatable shot.
How do I know when to make a drill harder?
Increase difficulty when you can perform the current version consistently without losing control or technique.
Do I need cones?
No. Court lines or safe flat markers can replace cones in many drills.
Can I practise defense alone?
Yes. You can train stance, slides, slide-to-sprint transitions, closeout footwork, and recovery movement by yourself.
What should I track during practice?
Track something simple: makes, successful repetitions, or one technique note.
Final Takeaway
The best beginner basketball drills are not complicated.
They help you repeat the basic actions you will use in a game:
control the ball
pass accurately
shoot with balance
finish on both sides
move your feet on defense
finish possessions with rebounds
Start slowly.
Use both sides.
Repeat good technique.
Then add speed, pressure, and decisions as you improve.
A simple practice done consistently will teach you more than a complicated workout you cannot perform correctly.
Your Next Lesson
The next lesson in the Sports Made Clear Basketball learning path is:
How to Practice Basketball Alone: Solo Drills Without a Partner
Continue with these published guides:
How to Play Basketball: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Basketball Rules for Beginners: Simple Rules You Need to Know
Basketball Positions Explained: Roles 1 Through 5 for Beginners
Or return to the Basketball Learning Hub to follow the complete beginner path.
Technique Sources
WABC Start Coaching Coach Workbook — Beginner Skill Teaching
Last reviewed: October 9, 2026