Build Your Basketball Team Chemistry With These 3

Activities

These team-building activities will help your athletes develop the mental part of their games so your team can
play more cohesively and maximize the talents of each player.

1. Two-Ball Dribbling With A Twist

A two-ball dribbling exercise is one of the most popular choices for coaches looking to help improve their
team’s camaraderie and ability to process information quickly.

 Start by dividing your team into pairs and assign a dribbler and a partner (both players will have the
chance to be the dribbler).
 The dribbler must perform two-ball dribbling moves from one baseline to the opposite side and back.
Their partner will help spot loose balls and guide their course as they dribble.
 Here’s the twist: the ‘spotter’ must also tell the dribbler a story while they navigate the court.
 Once the partners reach the opposite baseline, the dribbler must answer a question about the story they
just heard.
 Once completed, the dribbler and partner should switch roles.

By having your players process verbal information while dribbling, they’ll improve their ability to process tons
of information quickly during the game. In addition, this exercise can help bring teammates closer to one
another through one-on-one interaction.

Pro tip: if you want to make your players multi-task and challenge them further, have them dribble multiple
objects like a tennis ball or dodgeball to enhance their coordination and focus.

2. Snake Race

The Snake Race is a team activity designed to improve cooperation, teamwork, and concentration.

 First, split your players into teams of 4 or 5 members and instruct the team members to form a ‘snake’
line on the court’s baseline.
 Have participants stand close enough to one another to hold a basketball between the back of one
player and the chest of the player standing behind them without touching the ball with their hands.
(The longer each “snake” team, the more difficult the challenge.)
 Once each team is set up with a ball between each player, have the teams race to complete a course:
Advance to the halfway line and back to the baseline without dropping a basketball or touching one
with their hands.
 If players drop a ball, they should stop the race and replace it before advancing. For a bigger
challenge, have teams start over from the baseline if they drop a ball.

3. Circle Passing Drill

The classic circle passing drill is proven to help improve your team’s communication skills and overall
cohesion.

 Begin by grouping your players into teams of five, giving one player in each group a basketball.
 Have each group form a circle with one participant in the middle of the circle.
 Make sure that the player passing the ball shouts the name of the player they are passing it to and
make it clear that every player should touch the ball at least once every round.
 No one should receive the ball unless the passing player calls the receiving player’s name.
 Have each player rotate into the middle at least once.

PRO TIP: The team should work on multiple passes like bounce passes, chest passes, and over-the-head
passes, to help your team improve their passing skills too.