Basketball · Footwork & pivots

Jump stop and pivot

Players dribble to a cone, jump stop on two feet, pivot on one foot to face the line and pass to the next player.

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Start / 5
Time
10 min
Players
3–16
Age
U7+
Area
Half court
Equipment
4 basketballs, one per line (size 5 under 12, size 6 or 7 older)4 cones

Setup

  1. Lines of three or four players, a cone 6 m in front of each line.
  2. First player in each line has a ball.

How it runs

  1. Dribble to the cone and jump stop, landing on both feet at once.
  2. Pivot on one foot to face the line, ball held at the chin.
  3. Chest pass to the next player and jog to the back of the line.
  4. Front pivots for 2 minutes, then reverse pivots; swap pivot foot each turn.

Coaching points

  • Land on two feet together, knees bent, balanced.
  • Pick a pivot foot and keep it glued to the floor; turn on the ball of the foot.
  • Ball tight to the chin, elbows out, to protect it while turning.

Common mistakes

  • Landing one foot then the other and shuffling, which is a travel.
  • Lifting or sliding the pivot foot during the turn.
  • Standing tall with the ball held low and loose.

Say it: “Two feet land, one foot turns.”

Make it harder

  • A defender stands at the cone; pivot away from their hands.
  • Coach calls left or right pivot foot as the player lands.

Make it easier

  • Walk with the ball in two hands instead of dribbling.
  • Practise the jump stop alone before adding the pivot.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.