Hoopsense Blog | Tips & Drills for Youth Basketball Coaches

Partner Snap Pass Battle

Drills

A fast-paced partner drill that builds snap pass accuracy and timing under pressure. Great for youth players learning to pass with purpose and control.

The 11 Best 3-on-3 Cutthroat Basketball Drills to Build Real In-Game Skills

Guides

A collection of the best competitive 3-on-3 drills to improve real in-game skills like spacing, passing, defense, and finishing under pressure.

Quick Options

Plays

A box set baseline out-of-bounds play with multiple scoring options, featuring a screen-the-screener action and a quick roll for an easy bucket.

Passback 3

Plays

A quick-hitting play that creates pressure at the rim while opening up a 3-point shot option on the wing.

Top 3

Plays

Baseline out-of-bounds play designed to free up the inbounder for a clean top-of-the-key three.

Double High Screens

Plays

Double high screen play that opens a driving lane or sets up a roller for an easy basket.

Corner 3

Plays

Corner 3 is a baseline out of bounds play designed to free the inbounder for a quick corner three-point shot.

Zone Break

Plays

A simple zone offense that uses ball reversal and timed cuts to collapse a 2-3 defense for layups or post-ups.

3 on 3 Cutthroat

Drills

A competitive 3-on-3 drill that rewards scoring and stopping, perfect for teaching game-like transitions, communication, and intensity in small-sided play.

Screen the Screener

Plays

Screen the Screener is a baseline out of bounds play that creates multiple scoring options with sharp cuts and layered screening action.

Iso Low

Plays

Iso Low is a quick hitter that sets up a strong low-post option for an easy layup or post-up.

Backside Crash

Plays

Backside Crash is a quick hitter that creates a layup while maintaining spacing to flow into your base offense.

Side Out

Plays

Side Out is a simple sideline out of bounds play that creates multiple options, with the first look being a quick cut to the hoop.

3-on-3 Screen to Score

Drills

A 3-on-3 drill that teaches players how to set and use screens effectively to create scoring opportunities through movement and timing.

Dribble Animal Walks

Drills

A fun and silly ball-handling drill that improves balance, coordination, and creativity while players dribble across the court pretending to be different animals.

Middle Press Break

Plays

A quick-hitting press break designed to attack the middle, beat traps, and flow into a 3-on-2 fast break.

Red Light, Green Light Dribble

Drills

A classic youth basketball game that builds ball control, focus, and reaction time through a fun stop-and-go dribbling challenge. Perfect for Mini Hoopers.

Blue 32

Plays

A simple double screen action that frees up a cutter for a layup, with a secondary roll option.

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Why “Elbow at 90 Degrees” Is the Most Overrated Shooting Tip in Basketball

Guides

Why the “elbow at 90 degrees” tip might be the worst shooting advice we keep passing down — and what to teach instead if you want real results.

Screen Away

Plays

Baseline out of bounds play using cross screens and a post seal to create a quick, easy scoring option.

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Rapid-Fire Basketball Drills to Build Better Ball Screen and Pick n’ Roll Players

Guides

Learn rapid-fire drills to teach ball screens, dribble handoffs, and finishing under pressure — perfect for building smarter youth and middle school basketball players.

3-on-3 Next Play Wins

Drills

A high-pressure, one-possession drill that builds focus, execution, and resilience in game-winning scenarios.

3-on-3 Drive & Kick Decision

Drills

A competitive 3-on-3 drill that builds smart decision-making off the drive and teaches how to punish defensive help with kick-out passes and quick reads.

Give N Go

Plays

A quick-hitter play built around the classic give-and-go, creating a return-pass layup for your PG with backside rebounding options.

Wall Snap Pass Challenge

Drills

A competitive passing drill that builds snap-pass technique, speed, and accuracy—great for warmups, stations, or at-home skill development.

Stagger

Plays

A stagger screen quick hitter designed to free 3 for a layup, with built-in reversal options for flexibility.

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Zig-Zag Handle & Go

Drills

A high-rep dribbling drill that improves change-of-direction control and explosive finishing. Great for warmups, stations, or building confidence on the move.

Post Options

Plays

A versatile offensive set that combines post play with backside cutting to create high-percentage scoring chances.

3 or Layup

Plays

A baseline out-of-bounds play with an elevator screen that frees a cutter for a layup or corner three. Simple and effective.

Balloon Tap Dribble

Drills

A fun and silly ball-handling drill for early learners that builds coordination, control, and focus—all while keeping a balloon in the air.

Quick Misdirection

Plays

Quick Misdirection is a fast-hitting play that uses a ball fake and backside screen to create a wide-open layup.

Box Across

Plays

A baseline out of bounds play from the box set that creates an easy layup through cross screens and a strong seal from 5.

Sneak Backdoor

Plays

Sneak Backdoor sets up a dribble drive for 1 with a backside cut option to keep the defense honest.

Hungry Hippos

Drills

A high-energy dribbling game that builds ball control, awareness, and hustle as players race to collect the most items while keeping their dribble alive.

5 Spot Shooting Challenge

Drills

A foundational shooting drill that builds rhythm, range, and consistency. Simple to run and easy to scale for all youth basketball skill levels.

Point Drive

Plays

Quick hitter that clears the lane for the PG to drive, with a backside dump-off option if the defense collapses.

Short Corner Shot

Plays

Short Corner Shot is a quick hitter designed to free up an open midrange look in the short corner.

Beat the Defender Layups

Drills

A live, game-like layup drill that teaches young players to finish under pressure while reacting to a recovering defender. Simple, competitive, and highly effective.

Bombs Away

Plays

Bombs Away is a quick hitter that creates an open wing three, with a built-in counter if the defense overplays.

Fast 3

Plays

Fast 3 is a baseline out of bounds play that creates a rhythm 3-pointer, with secondary scoring and slip options built in.

Wing Iso

Plays

Wing Iso is a simple play that clears space for your best driver to attack, with a backside option for passes or rebounds.

Knockout With a Twist

Drills

A fun twist on knockout that adds redemption, keeps more kids involved, and reinforces shooting technique under pressure. Great for all skill levels.

Rainbow Shots

Drills

A playful shooting drill that teaches young players how to shoot with a high arc, soft touch, and confident follow-through in a fun, visual way.

Poly Spot Freeze Tag

Drills

A fun freeze tag game that builds ball control, awareness, and teamwork using safe, non-slip poly spots as quick escape zones. Perfect for energetic Mini Hoopers.

X

Plays

A simple and effective baseline out of bounds play where crossing cuts create confusion and open looks near the basket.

Screen & Crash

Plays

Baseline out of bounds play using upscreens and a roll to generate a clean corner or layup option.

Second Through

Plays

Second Through is a simple play that creates multiple layup chances using screens and smart cutting.

Fast Drive

Plays

Half-court quick-hitter that gets your best driver attacking, with a backside cut option if the defense collapses.

Double Back

Plays

A quick-hitting play where high post action sets up sharp wing backcuts for easy layups.

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Teaching Man-to-Man Defense to Elementary School Players

Guides

How to teach man-to-man defense to elementary players without losing your mind — from stance and habits to game-day chaos and long-term growth.

Bulls Quick Hitter

Plays

Bulls Quick Hitter uses misdirection and a disguised double screen to free up a cutter for a wide-open layup.

Car Wash

Plays

Car Wash is a baseline out of bounds play using layered screens to free multiple scoring options inside or on the perimeter.

Screen & Seal

Plays

Screen & Seal is a quick-hitting play that creates an easy post look off crossing screens and a strong seal inside.

Screen Time

Plays

Screen Time is a sideline out of bounds play that creates a quick dribble drive opportunity off a ball screen.

3-on-3 Pass, Cut & Replace

Drills

A movement-based 3-on-3 drill that builds passing, cutting, and spacing habits without relying on screens or set plays.

Beat The Clock

Drills

A high-energy shooting drill that builds pace, accuracy, and decision-making under time pressure. Great for competition, conditioning, and shooting rhythm.

3-on-3 Wildcard Rules

Drills

A creative and chaotic 3-on-3 drill where each possession follows a new rule — helping players adapt, think, and develop versatile skills.

3-on-3 Must Touch the Paint

Drills

This 3-on-3 drill builds the habit of attacking the paint before taking shots, helping players collapse the defense and make better decisions.

Crash Down

Plays

A baseline out of bounds quick-hitter designed to free 5 for an easy basket off a sharp upscreen and hard crash to the hoop.

Side Out

Plays

Side Out is a simple sideline out of bounds play that creates multiple options, with the first look being a quick cut to the hoop.

Backside Screen

Plays

Simple half-court set using a backside screen to free up a cutter for a clean layup.

Double Crash

Plays

Double Crash is a baseline out of bounds play that creates multiple easy scoring chances with a crash-and-roll action.

1-2-1-1 Press Break

Plays

A proven press break against the 1-2-1-1 that creates quick fast-break opportunities and discourages defenses from pressing again.

3-on-3 Shell to Live

Drills

A hybrid defensive drill that blends shell principles with live 3-on-3 play, helping players transition from positioning to pressure with game-speed reactions.

Fake Diagonal Screen

Plays

Fake Diagonal Screen is a baseline out of bounds play that fakes a screen to free up multiple options for easy short shots.

3-on-3 Rebound & Outlet

Drills

A 3-on-3 drill that turns every rebound into a transition opportunity, building toughness, outlet skills, and competitive energy.

Easy-to-Understand 5 Out Motion Offense for Any Age Level

Guides

Teach your players an easy-to-understand motion offense system at any age level with eight simple principles for better spacing, cutting, and teamwork.

3-on-3 Closeout & Recover

Drills

A high-intensity 3-on-3 drill that builds closeout technique, recovery defense, and team communication under live pressure.

Lightning Lob

Plays

A quick lob set that uses misdirection and timing to free up an easy basket at the rim.

Side Options

Plays

Sideline out-of-bounds play creating multiple scoring options, with built-in flow into your base offense for continuous attack.

Screens!

Plays

Screens! is a versatile out of bounds play that creates multiple entry options, ending with a delayed roll for a layup.

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What Youth Coaches Can Learn From Houston’s Relentless Defense

Guides

Learn two simple defensive tactics from the Houston Cougars — plus two competitive drills to teach your youth team pressure defense.

Box Screens

Plays

Box set play that frees up 3 with an upsreen for a clean layup look.

Backdoor Zip

Plays

Quick-hitter basketball play using misdirection and a sharp backcut to create an easy layup opportunity.

3-on-3 No Dribble

Drills

A no-dribble 3-on-3 drill that builds spacing, cutting, and team play by forcing players to rely on passing and off-ball movement.

Quick Pinch

Plays

Quick Pinch is a lightning-fast baseline out of bounds play for an open jumper off a tight stack screen.

Squeeze the Shooter

Plays

Baseline out of bounds play creating three shot options through stagger action, a double screen, and a roll to the hoop.

Wing Drive

Plays

Half-court quick hitter designed to free up a wing drive, with a backside crash option for an easy finish.

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