Dribble Monsters Practice Guide Practice 1 of 3 Kindergarten (Ages 4–5)
Dribble Monsters Guide
Pacing 30 Min
Ball Size 3
Everyday Team Expectations (Review at Practice Start)
1. Effort 2. Intensity 3. Respect
Park Your Ball in the Garage When coach's voice is on, ball is parked in your garage (between your feet/legs on the floor) until directions end!
Whistle = Stop, Look & Listen When you hear the whistle, freeze like a statue immediately: eyes on coach, ears open, and hands off the ball!
00–05 Min Warm-Up
Animal Kingdom Warm-Up Routine
Standard Routine
• Kangaroo Hops: 2-foot jumps baseline to foul line.
• Bear Crawls: Hands & feet stroll across the lane.
• Ball Hug Orbit: Hug tight, orbit around waist.
• Stationary Cookie Jars: Squat, 3-2-1 jump & snap wrist high!
🗣️ Cue: "Soft paws, tall rockets, grab the cookie!" Goal: Gross motor warm-up
05–10 Min Dribbling
Pat the Puppy & Popcorn Bounces
1 Ball per Player
• Pat the Puppy: Push ball at waist height with soft finger pads.
• Popcorn Pops: 5 right-hand bounces, catch; 5 left-hand bounces.
• Look Up: Coach holds up fingers; kids shout numbers while bouncing.
• Cookie Pocket: On whistle, park in garage or tuck into pocket.
🗣️ Cue: "Pet the puppy softly—no loud slaps!" Goal: Fingertip control
10–15 Min Passing
Chest Push to the Big Target
Pairs or Coach Pass
• Target Hands: Partner holds hands at chest like a diamond target.
• Step & Push: Take one big step forward and push ball with two hands.
• Thumbs Down: End pass with both thumbs pointing down at floor.
• High-Five Claps: Count 5 clean passes together, then jump high-five!
🗣️ Cue: "Step forward and push from your heart!" Goal: 2-hand chest push
15–20 Min Shooting
Stationary Cookie Jar Shooting Form
Core Technique
• Stationary Stance: Glue feet to floor, knees bent like sitting low.
• Waitress Tray: Balance ball on dominant hand with an "L" elbow.
• High Reach: Push legs tall, extend arm straight up into the air.
• Reach the Cookie Jar: Snap wrist down like reaching in top jar!
🗣️ Cue: "Knees bent, push tall, reach deep into the cookie jar!" Goal: Stationary wrist snap
20–25 Min Defense
Sticky Shadow & Airplane Stance
1-on-1 Buddy
• Airplane Wings: Feet wide, arms spread wide and steady.
• Point to Buddy: Each defender points to partner and shouts name.
• Crab Slide Mirror: Offense walks 3 steps left/right; defender slides.
• No Crossing Feet: Keep feet apart—don't let shoes click!
🗣️ Cue: "Belly to belly! Stay between your friend and the basket!" Goal: Man-to-man concept
25–30 Min Fun Game
Sharks & Minnows Dribble Escape
High Energy Game
• Minnows Ready: Kids line up on baseline holding their basketball.
• Coach Shark: Coach stands at center court chomping playfully.
• Dribble Across: On "Fishies swim!", kids dribble to opposite line.
• Safe Islands: Poly spots on court are safe islands for 3 seconds.
🗣️ Cue: "Eyes up to see the shark coming, protect your ball!" Rule: Tagged kids become helpers
Coach Rule Praise effort & garage parking instantly. Celebrate team high-fives!
Equip: 1 Size 3 Ball/Kid • 8 Cones • 6 Poly Spots
Rocket Shooters Practice Guide Practice 2 of 3 Kindergarten (Ages 4–5)
Rocket Shooters Guide
Pacing 30 Min
Ball Size 3
Everyday Team Expectations (Review at Practice Start)
1. Effort 2. Intensity 3. Respect
Park Your Ball in the Garage When coach's voice is on, ball is parked in your garage (between your feet/legs on the floor) until directions end!
Whistle = Stop, Look & Listen When you hear the whistle, freeze like a statue immediately: eyes on coach, ears open, and hands off the ball!
00–05 Min Warm-Up
Animal Kingdom Warm-Up Routine
Standard Routine
• Kangaroo Hops: 2-foot jumps baseline to foul line.
• Bear Crawls: Hands & feet stroll across the lane.
• Ball Hug Orbit: Hug tight, orbit around waist.
• Stationary Cookie Jars: Squat, 3-2-1 jump & snap wrist high!
🗣️ Cue: "Soft paws, tall rockets, grab the cookie!" Goal: Gross motor warm-up
05–10 Min Dribbling
Traffic Light Dribble & Freeze
Visual Cues
• Green Light: Dribble forward while walking across court.
• Yellow Light: Tiptoe slow-motion bounces in place.
• Red Light: Instantly park ball in garage or cookie pocket!
• Reverse Gear: Take 3 backward steps while bouncing gently.
🗣️ Cue: "Keep eyes on the light, not down on your toes!" Goal: Deceleration & vision
10–15 Min Passing
Bounce Pass Bowling Bonanza
Floor Target Spot
• Target Dot: Place a poly spot halfway between partners.
• Hit the Dot: Push ball downward so it pops to tummy height.
• Thumbs Down: Release with two hands pushing down and out.
• Bowling Cone: Pass over spot to gently tap tall cone down!
🗣️ Cue: "Push down to pop up right into your buddy's tummy!" Goal: Bounce pass angle
15–20 Min Shooting
Stationary Cookie Jar Rainbow Arc
High Arc Form
• Stationary Base: Freeze feet on poly spot; knees bent deep.
• L-Arm Pocket: Tuck elbow under ball like holding a pizza tray.
• Cookie Jar Arc: Push tall and snap wrist high over coach's noodle.
• Freeze the Finish: Keep cookie jar hand in the jar until ball lands!
🗣️ Cue: "Hold that cookie jar hand in the jar until it lands!" Goal: Arc & follow-through
20–25 Min Defense
Crab Walk Clappers Defense
Man-to-Man Guarding
• Crab Claws: Hands raised shoulder height, fingers active.
• Buddy Lock-In: Touch buddy's sneaker and say: "I'm your guard!"
• Side Shuffles: Slide sideways along lane without crossing ankles.
• Double Clap: Partner stops; defender claps twice: "DEFENSE!"
🗣️ Cue: "Slide your crab feet, don't let your friend get behind you!" Goal: Guarding position
25–30 Min Fun Game
Clean Up the Messy Court Room
Teamwork Finale
• Two Rooms: Half-court line separates Court Red and Blue.
• Cluttered Floor: 10 mini balls scattered across each side.
• Clean It Up: Players bounce-pass or roll balls into other room.
• Whistle Countdown: 60-second timer; celebrate clean courts!
🗣️ Cue: "Hustle and push those passes across the line!" Rule: No throwing above waist
Coach Rule Reward immediate garage parking with quick high-fives and praise!
Equip: 1 Ball/Kid • 6 Floor Spots • 4 Cones • Noodle
Court Champions Practice Guide Practice 3 of 3 Kindergarten (Ages 4–5)
Court Champions Guide
Pacing 30 Min
Ball Size 3
Everyday Team Expectations (Review at Practice Start)
1. Effort 2. Intensity 3. Respect
Park Your Ball in the Garage When coach's voice is on, ball is parked in your garage (between your feet/legs on the floor) until directions end!
Whistle = Stop, Look & Listen When you hear the whistle, freeze like a statue immediately: eyes on coach, ears open, and hands off the ball!
00–05 Min Warm-Up
Animal Kingdom Warm-Up Routine
Standard Routine
• Kangaroo Hops: 2-foot jumps baseline to foul line.
• Bear Crawls: Hands & feet stroll across the lane.
• Ball Hug Orbit: Hug tight, orbit around waist.
• Stationary Cookie Jars: Squat, 3-2-1 jump & snap wrist high!
🗣️ Cue: "Soft paws, tall rockets, grab the cookie!" Goal: Gross motor warm-up
05–10 Min Dribbling
Zig-Zag Cone Slalom Safari
4 Cones in Line
• Cone Weave: Dribble around cone 1 with right hand.
• Hand Switch: Gently push ball to left hand toward cone 2.
• Below the Cones: Keep bounces lower than cone tops for control.
• Speed Runway: After last cone, dribble straight to baseline!
🗣️ Cue: "Switch hands around each cone like magic!" Goal: Directional change
10–15 Min Passing
Hot Potato Circle Passing Party
Small Circles (4–5 Kids)
• Name Call First: Shout teammate's name before releasing pass.
• Hot Potato: Don't hold ball more than 2 seconds—quick push!
• Choice Pass: Alternate chest passes and bounce passes.
• Reverse Direction: Coach yells "REVERSE!"—pass opposite!
🗣️ Cue: "Call their name, step, and pass that hot potato!" Goal: Communication & release
15–20 Min Shooting
Stationary Cookie Jar Campfire Shots
Form & Rotation
• Campfire Stance: Glue feet to spot, toes pointing straight at rim.
• Waitress L-Tray: Balance ball on shooting hand, guide hand on side.
• Snap to Cookie Jar: Extend tall and snap wrist deep into jar.
• Kaboom Swish: Yell "KABOOM!" whenever cookie jar shot scores!
🗣️ Cue: "Toes to target, bend low, snap deep into the cookie jar!" Goal: Stationary alignment
20–25 Min Defense
Belly Button Mirror & Stop Signs
1-on-1 Tracking
• Belly Laser: Point your belly button laser at partner's chest.
• Stop Sign Palms: Palms open facing partner (no grabbing shirts).
• Cut Off the Path: Slide sideways to stay between partner and rim.
• The Wall: On double whistle, freeze in wide stance and yell "WALL!"
🗣️ Cue: "Laser on their belly button! Slide your feet, hands high!" Goal: Stay between player & basket
25–30 Min Fun Game
Dribble Freeze Tag Championship
All-Court Finale
• Free Dribble: Every player bounces within half-court bounds.
• Captain Ice: Coach moves around with a foam noodle tagger.
• Frozen Statues: If tagged, freeze holding ball overhead.
• Magic Melter: Teammates melt frozen players with a bounce pass!
🗣️ Cue: "Eyes up while dribbling, rescue your frozen friends!" Rule: Gentle tags, keep moving
Coach Rule End practice with a big team huddle: "1, 2, 3, HOOPS!"
Equip: 1 Ball/Kid • 4 Cones • 3 Spots • Foam Noodle