U12 Basketball Curriculum

Target Passing Drill

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tagspassing, by-yourself, with-partner, no-court, backyard, beginner

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Target Passing Drill

🎒 Gear Needed: 1 x basketball, solid wall, chalk or coloured electrical tape (or partner)
⏱ Suggested Time: 5 - 10 minutes
👥 Participants: Solo (By Yourself) or Partner
📍 Space: No-Court / Backyard / Half-Court
📊 Difficulty: Beginner

📝 Instructions

  1. Target Grid Setup: On a smooth exterior brick, concrete, or gym wall, use tape or chalk to draw three distinct 30-centimetre square targets:
    • Target 1 (Chest Level): Centred 1.2 metres from the ground.
    • Target 2 (Bounce Level): Centred 40 centimetres from the ground.
    • Target 3 (Overhead Level): Centred 1.8 metres from the ground.
  2. Starting Position: Stand 3 to 4 metres back from the target wall in a low triple-threat stance holding a basketball.
  3. Round 1 - Chest Pass Accuracy: Deliver 10 consecutive chest passes specifically aiming to hit inside Target 1. Award 1 point for hitting inside the square, 0 points if the ball touches the border lines or misses.
  4. Round 2 - Bounce Pass Precision: Deliver 10 bounce passes aiming for Target 2. The ball must hit the ground roughly 2.5 metres from you and rise up to strike inside the square on the rebound.
  5. Round 3 - Overhead Skip Accuracy: Deliver 10 crisp two-handed overhead passes from forehead height directly into Target 3.
  6. Scoring Challenge: Track your score out of 30 total points. Try to achieve 25 or more points across three rounds.

💡 Coaching Cues

  • Laser Focus on the Target Centre: Look directly at the inner square, not at the ball; visual targeting before the release creates subconscious neuromuscular accuracy.
  • Full Wrist Snap: Snap your wrists fully through the release on every repetition; loose or incomplete follow-throughs cause passes to veer off-target.
  • Balanced Base: Step directly in line with your target; an errant step to the left or right pulls your passing trajectory off-centre.
  • Absorb the Rebound Cleanly: Catch the rebound off the wall with soft fingertips and immediately return the ball to your triple-threat shooting pocket before the next rep.

🔄 Variations & Progressions

  • Make It Easier: Move in closer to 2 metres from the wall and enlarge the target squares to 50 centimetres while mastering consistent hand mechanics.
  • Make It Harder: “Moving Target Challenge”: slide laterally across the wall 5 metres in a continuous defensive slide, firing passes into alternating targets while moving without stopping your feet.

📺 Video Demonstration