A 60-minute training session for under 12s

Built around one skill, the lay-up. Works with 8 to 12 players on one court with a ring at each end.

The lay-up is the first shot most young players score, and the one they'll use most. This session builds it in steps: footwork first, then speed, then a defender.

You're paying for the court by the hour, so be ready before your booking starts. Have the balls out and a plan for each end of the court.

Run it as written the first time. Next week, keep the structure and change one drill.

0–10 min

Warm-up: dribble tag

Every player has a ball and dribbles inside one half of the court. Two taggers dribble too, and tag others with their free hand. A tagged player does ten dribbles on the spot, then rejoins.

Swap the taggers every minute.
Watch for eyes on the ball. Ask for heads up, so they can see the taggers coming.
Short of balls? Play in pairs, with one partner dribbling and the other shadowing.

10–25 min

Drill: two-line lay-ups

Start without a ball. From a few steps out on the right side, players walk the footwork: right foot, left foot, jump off the left and lift the right knee. Say it together: “right, left, up”.

Then add the ball and set up two lines at one ring.

A dribbles in from the right wing for a right-hand lay-up. R moves in to rebound and passes to B, the next shooter. A joins the rebound line behind C

Dribble with the right hand on the right side. Take the last two steps right, left, then jump.
Aim for the top corner of the small square on the backboard, on your side.
Lay the ball up softly with one hand. Don't throw it at the ring.
After five goes each, swap sides. On the left it's left hand, and the footwork is left, right, up.

Coach it: slow and correct beats fast and messy. Add speed once the footwork is right.

25–40 min

Drill: catch and lay-up

Now players finish after catching on the move, the way it happens in a game. A feeder stands at the top of the key, and players line up on the wing.

A passes to the feeder F, cuts towards the ring and catches the return pass. One dribble, then the lay-up. B goes next

Show a target hand as you cut, so the feeder knows where to pass.
Catch, one dribble, then right, left, up.
After a few goes, add a chaser who starts two steps behind the cutter. It adds pressure without contact.
Swap to the left wing halfway through.

40–55 min

Modified game: 3 v 3, lay-ups score 3

Play 3 v 3 in the half court, using both ends if you have enough players. A lay-up scores 3 points and any other basket scores 1.

After a score or a change of possession, take the ball back past the three-point line before attacking.
Rotate teams on every few minutes, so nobody waits long.
Call out good footwork by name, even when the shot misses.

55–60 min

Cool-down and one takeaway

Light stretching in a circle. Ask each player for one thing they did well today. Finish with the takeaway: “Right, left, up.”

Pack the balls away before the hour is up, so the next booking starts on time.

Do it in Sportdify

Put the weekly session on the schedule and ask families to RSVP. You'll know who's coming before you get to the court.

How to