Setting up Chair Drills for Kids

The “Chair Drill” is a great drill for kids to work on their ball-handling skills and quick footwork. As a coach, you can set up this drill by placing a chair on the court and having the child dribble around it.

The key to this drill is to have the child focus on controlling the ball while dribbling around the chair, switching hands, and practicing different moves such as crossovers and between-the-legs dribbles. This drill is also great for working on their lateral movement, as they will have to move around the chair in different directions.

It is important to remind kids to keep their eyes up while dribbling, and to use the chair as a guide to change direction and work on different moves. As a coach, you can also demonstrate the different moves for them to practice.

To make this drill more challenging, you can also have the child dribble with one hand only, or have them dribble with a smaller ball. Additionally, you can have them perform the drill while wearing a blindfold to improve their ball-handling skills even further.

As a coach, you can also incorporate different variations of the “Chair Drill” to target specific areas of improvement. Here are a few examples:

• “Chair and Cones Drill“: In addition to the chair, set up cones in a zig-zag pattern on the court. The child must dribble around the chair and weave in and out of the cones. This drill not only improves ball handling and footwork but also adds an element of agility and coordination.
• “Chair and Partner Drill“: Pair the child with a partner and have them perform the drill together. One child dribbles around the chair while the other child tries to steal the ball. This drill improves ball-handling skills and also encourages teamwork and defensive skills.
• “Chair and Obstacle Drill“: Set up different obstacles on the court, such as cones or hula hoops. The child must dribble around the chair and navigate through the obstacles. This drill improves ball handling, footwork, and agility.

It’s also important to remind kids to stay low and keep their center of gravity low while dribbling around the chair. This will help them maintain control of the ball and improve their balance and stability. As a coach, you can also encourage them to use the chair to change direction quickly and perform different moves.

Finally, it’s important to note that while the “Chair Drill” is a great way to improve ball handling skills, it’s important to incorporate other drills and exercises to improve the overall skillset of your players. As a coach, you can use this drill as a building block and then progress to more complex drills and exercises that incorporate multiple skills.