5th Grade Basketball Practice Plan

Focus: Fundamentals, Dribbling, Passing, Shooting, Fast Break
Duration: 60 minutes
Drill Count: 6

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Activity: Dynamic Stretching and Ball Handling
Duration: 10 minutes
Drill Count: 1

1. Dynamic Stretching (5 minutes)

   • Begin with a series of dynamic stretches including high knees, butt kicks, lunges, and arm circles to loosen up the muscles. Focus on proper form and movement.

2. Ball Handling (5 minutes)

   • Players pair up and stand facing each other. Each player dribbles the ball in various ways (crossover, behind-the-back, between-the-legs) while moving forward and backward. This helps improve hand-eye coordination and ball control.

Main Drills (40 minutes)

1. Dribbling Relay Races (10 minutes)

Duration: 10 minutes
Drill Count: 1

• Setup: Divide players into two teams. Set up cones in a straight line about 10 feet apart.
• Execution: Players must dribble to the last cone and back while maintaining control. Encourage different dribbling techniques (e.g., right hand, left hand, crossover). The first team to have all players complete the relay wins.

2. Passing Circles (10 minutes)

Duration: 10 minutes
Drill Count: 1

• Setup: Players form two circles (one inside the other) with a partner facing each other.
• Execution: Players practice chest passes and bounce passes, alternating every minute. Focus on stepping into the pass and following through. Switch partners after 5 minutes to promote teamwork.

3. Shooting Stations (10 minutes)

Duration: 10 minutes
Drill Count: 1

• Setup: Create three shooting spots around the key (short corner, elbow, and top of the key).
• Execution: Players rotate through the stations, taking five shots from each spot. Encourage proper shooting form and follow-through. After the first round, allow players to rebound their shots and take a second shot if they miss.

4. Fast Break Scrimmage (10 minutes)

Duration: 10 minutes
Drill Count: 1

• Setup: Divide players into two teams. The offensive team starts with the ball at half-court.
• Execution: The offensive team must execute a fast break and attempt to score within ten seconds. The defensive team must transition quickly to stop them. Rotate teams after 5 minutes. Encourage players to communicate and make quick decisions.

Cool-Down (10 minutes)

Activity: Stretching and Review
Duration: 10 minutes
Drill Count: 1

1. Static Stretching (5 minutes)

   • Focus on major muscle groups used during practice (hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, shoulders). Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds.

2. Team Review (5 minutes)

   • Gather players in a circle and discuss what they learned during practice. Highlight key takeaways from each drill, focusing on the importance of fundamentals in dribbling, passing, shooting, and fast breaks.

Coaching Tip

Encourage communication on the court. Remind players that effective communication is key to executing fast breaks and making successful passes. Players should call for the ball and communicate their intentions to their teammates to enhance teamwork and on-court synergy.