5 Beginner Basketball Drills Your Child Can Practice at Home
Learn simple, effective drills to improve ball handling, shooting, and coordination. Basketball is one of the best sports for children to build confidence, discipline, and teamwork. The good news? Your child doesn’t always need a full court to get better. With just a ball and a small space, they can practice beginner basketball drills for kids and basketball drills to do at home to steadily improve basketball skills at home.
“Great players are built in small spaces—one consistent rep at a time.”
MGM Basketball Academy — Singapore
At MGM Basketball Academy, we believe consistent practice—even at home—helps kids develop faster. Below are 5 simple basketball drills for beginners your child can try today.
1) Stationary Dribbling Drill
Focus: Ball handling, control, hand coordination
- Dribble with the right hand for 30 seconds, then switch to the left.
- Keep eyes up—avoid looking at the ball.
- Progress by dribbling lower and faster.
Tip: Use cones, water bottles, or any household item to dribble around for added challenge.
2) Figure-8 Dribbling
Focus: Hand-eye coordination, ball control
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Dribble the ball in a figure-8 motion around and between the legs.
- Start slow, then build speed while maintaining control.
Why it helps: Teaches handling in tight spaces—essential for real games.
3) Wall Shooting Drill
Focus: Shooting form, accuracy
- No hoop? A wall works fine—stand a few feet away.
- Emphasize form: elbow in, follow through, fingertips pointing down.
- Repeat 20–30 reps.
Bonus: If there’s a hoop, add daily free throws and short jump shots.
4) Defensive Slide Drill
Focus: Agility, defense, footwork
- Mark a lane with two points ~2–3 meters apart.
- Get into a defensive stance (knees bent, chest up).
- Slide side-to-side without crossing feet; 4–5 sets of 20 seconds.
Why it’s important: Defense wins games—this builds strong legs and quick reactions.
5) Rebound & Jump Drill
Focus: Timing, jumping ability, hand strength
- Toss the ball against a wall or lightly upward.
- Jump to catch it at its highest point.
- Land softly with knees bent; repeat 10–15 times.
Tip: Builds rebounding instincts and overall athleticism.
“If you can practice at home, you can play with confidence anywhere.”
Coach — MGM Basketball Academy
Final Thoughts
Practicing basketball at home doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a ball, a wall, and some space, your child can sharpen ball handling, shooting, defense, and coordination. If they enjoy these drills and want structured guidance, join our basketball academy Singapore programs tailored for kids. We specialise in children basketball training Singapore with fun, beginner-friendly progressions.
Ready to level up? Explore more basketball drills to do at home and curated plans designed to improve basketball skills at home.
Book a Trial Class