Aussie Hoops Basketball Drills for Beginners

Start with the ball, not the hoop

Aussie Hoops is Basketball Australia's introductory program for kids aged 5-10, and at the youngest ages, most session time should go toward simple ball handling — dribbling, passing, catching — rather than shooting at a hoop that's often still too high for a child to realistically score on.

Four drills that work well

1. Stationary dribble challenge

Kids dribble in place, trying different variations — low dribble, high dribble, switching hands — on the coach's call. Builds ball control without the added complexity of moving at the same time.

2. Cone dribble weave

Once stationary dribbling is solid, add movement — a simple line of cones to dribble through. Run it as a relay between small teams for some friendly competition.

3. Partner passing

Pairs practice chest passes and bounce passes at a short distance, gradually increasing distance as accuracy improves. Keep it simple — one pass type at a time.

4. Lay-up line

Set up a simple line where kids practice approaching the hoop and attempting a lay-up (or just a close-range shot for younger kids). Lower the hoop if possible — success matters more than technique at this stage.

Structuring a 45-minute session

• 5 min warm-up — light movement and stretching
• 10 min stationary dribble challenge
• 10 min cone dribble weave
• 10 min partner passing
• 10 min lay-up line or mini scrimmage

A note on hoop height

If your venue has adjustable hoops, lowering them for the youngest age groups makes a real difference to engagement — repeatedly missing shots at a hoop that's too high gets discouraging fast. If you can't adjust the hoop, weight shooting drills toward close-range attempts so kids still experience success.