Around the Body

Warm-up

Warm up hand control moving the ball around the body.

4 min any Half court
Ball-handlingU8U10U12U14U16

Technique guide

Any group size · 1 ball each

Get everyone ready

Group setupStand tall, ball in two hands. 12345

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Stand tall, ball in two hands.

Look for: Soft, quick hands.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Stand tall, ball in two hands.

  1. Circle the ball around your waist, 10 each way.
  2. Circle around your head, 10 each way.
  3. Circle around both knees, 10 each way.
  4. Finish with a fast figure-8 between the legs.

Suggested reset

Everyone works at the same time in their own space with their own ball or balls. Retrieve a loose ball before resuming; pause neighbours if it enters their space. Coach calls the change of hand or movement after the prescribed set. No queue or role swap is needed.

Coaching cues

  • Soft, quick hands.
  • Don't drop it — control over speed.
  • Keep your eyes up.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Race — most clean circles in 20 seconds.

Easier: Waist circles only, slowly, one direction at a time.

Coach Says: Circle whichever body part the coach calls, changing on every shout.

What this drill teaches

Pure feel for the ball. Hundreds of quick hand-to-hand touches around the head, waist and knees teach the hands where the ball is without the eyes checking — the foundation under every catch and dribble.

In games: Players with ball feel don't fumble catches or lose the handle at first contact — fewer of those scrappy loose balls that end young teams' possessions.

What good looks like
  • Eyes up while the ball circles
  • Soft, quick hands passing it around smoothly
  • The figure-8 flowing without stopping to look down

U8: slow waist circles and plenty of drops — completely fine. U14–U16: expect fast, clean circles both ways and racing for most in 20 seconds.

Equipment

1 ball each

Setup

Stand tall, ball in two hands.

Steps

  1. 1Circle the ball around your waist, 10 each way.
  2. 2Circle around your head, 10 each way.
  3. 3Circle around both knees, 10 each way.
  4. 4Finish with a fast figure-8 between the legs.

Coaching points

  • Soft, quick hands.
  • Don't drop it — control over speed.
  • Keep your eyes up.

Why kids love it

Simple, everyone can do it, and it builds a feel for the ball fast.

Variations

Harder

Race — most clean circles in 20 seconds.

Easier

Waist circles only, slowly, one direction at a time.

Coach Says

Circle whichever body part the coach calls, changing on every shout.

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