U12 Basketball Curriculum

Chaser Layup Drill

Properties1
tagsdrill, layups, with-partner, with-team, full-court, half-court, intermediate

2 min read

Chaser Layup Drill

🎒 Gear Needed: 1 x basketball, 1 ring, partner (or coach)
⏱ Suggested Time: 5 - 10 minutes
👥 Participants: Partner / Team (2+ players)
📍 Space: Half-Court | Full-Court
📊 Difficulty: Intermediate

📝 Instructions

  1. Initial Alignment: The offensive player stands at the centre line (or top of the key for half-court) holding the basketball. The defensive player lines up 1.5 metres directly behind them in a sprinter’s stance.
  2. The Chase: On the audible call “GO!”, the offensive player explodes into an aggressive speed dribble directly toward the ring. The defender sprints in immediate pursuit, attempting to catch up and contest the shot.
  3. The Gather: As the offensive player reaches the key, they must gather the ball cleanly without decelerating, tucking the ball into their hip pocket or chinning it to prevent trailing strips.
  4. The Finish: The offensive player takes two powerful, balanced gather steps and elevates off the inside foot, finishing off the backboard square while absorbing the defender’s presence.
  5. Defensive Rule: The chaser must contest with vertical hands and chest, maintaining disciplined man-to-man defense without committing an intentional hack. Rotate roles after each rep for 10 total possessions (5 driving right, 5 driving left).

💡 Coaching Cues

  • Attack the Ring at Speed: Do not stutter-step or slow down when you hear footsteps behind you. Run through your layup takeoff.
  • Chin the Ball: Keep both hands securely clamped on the ball at shoulder level during your gather steps to shield it from trailing swipe-downs.
  • Eyes on the Square: Ignore the trailing defender’s shadow; fixate your vision entirely on the top corner of the backboard square.

🔄 Variations & Progressions

  • Make It Easier: Increase the defender’s starting distance to 3 metres behind, giving the ball-handler more cushion to execute standard footwork cleanly.
  • Make It Harder: Reduce the defender’s starting handicap to 0.5 metres behind, or instruct the defender to hold a bump cushion to apply legal body contact as the driver leaves the floor.

📺 Video Demonstration