The below games could be used for players of all ages but would probably work best for younger players (age 10 or below) still learning the basics of dribbling.
1. Dribble Tag: While dribbling the basketball, and without double-dribbling or traveling, players must tag other players. Once other players have been “tagged”, they are out of the game. All players can have a basketball in this game or just the players who are “it.” Play this game within a specified area (half-court for example) and the winning player is the last one remaining.
2. Red Light, Green Light: Have all the players line up on the base line with a ball. Coach yells “green light” and players move forward as quickly as possible while dribbling the ball. When the coach yells “red light”, the players must stop and maintain their dribble. Send back to the start any player not dribbling in control. The winner of the game is the first to cross the opposing end line. Coaches can mix in a “yellow light” as well.
3. Dribble Survivor: Specify the size of the “island” (perhaps half-court). While staying on the “island”, players must dribble their own ball (without traveling or double-dribbling) and simultaneously try to knock other player’s balls “off the island.” If a players ball goes outside the specified “island,” then that player is out. Play until one player remains. A good game for the coaches to play with the kids as well.
4. Catch the Cows: I recently made up this game although I’m sure there are other games out there similar to this one. Create two teams amongst the players and put the two teams on opposing base lines from each other. Roll multiple balls onto the court (spread the balls out). Explain to the kids that sometimes on a farm, the cows break loose from their pens and the farmers have to round up the cows and put them back in their pens. The “cows” are the balls and the “farmers” are the players with the basket being the “pen.” Once the whistle blows, both teams run after the balls (the cows) and have to dribble the balls (without traveling or double-dribbling) and shoot them back into their own hoop (the pen). The winning team can be determined by how fast all the balls (cows) are shot back into the basket (pen).
About the Author
Tim Briggs is the Creative Media Pastor at Church at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. He blogs regularly at Church Sports Outreach. He also regularly writes about ministry, the church, technology, culture, and creative stuff. He is married with two children and is currently pursuing a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.