Hustle Ball Drill
Effort
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Teach young players to sprint for every loose ball regardless of who touched it last.
What you need
- basketball
Your focus
Effort is the most equalizing trait in youth basketball because it requires no skill , only a decision. Teaching young players to sprint for loose balls creates the hustle habits that coaches value at every level. Players who effort for loose balls create extra possessions that determine close games.
Two players stand at the free-throw line facing away from the coach.
Coach rolls the ball toward the baseline. Both players must sprint to get it.
Player who gets the ball first gets a point. Play to 5 points.
Variation: coach rolls the ball in different directions to create fair competition.
Goal
You've got it when you dive for a ball you probably won't reach, because sometimes you will, and those are the plays that change games.
Helpful cues
- First one there wins, hustle is the deciding factor
- Sprint the whole way, don't slow down until the ball is in your hands
- Effort earns you the ball, it always will
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Roll the ball slowly to equalize the competition.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Both players start from different positions to create natural inequality in the race.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.