Eleven Passes
Keep possession and move as a team — no dribbling.
What this drill teaches
Getting open without a dribble to hide behind. Banning the bounce means the only way to keep the count alive is hard cutting, meeting the pass and honest spacing — the off-ball skills that usually go untaught.
In games: Fixes the game-day offence where four players stand and watch the dribbler — kids learn that possessions are kept alive by the players without the ball.
- Sharp cuts into space the moment a teammate is trapped
- Receivers meeting the pass, not waiting flat-footed
- Fakes before passes when a defender is closing
U10: play 3-on-2 and count to five — reaching it is a party. U14–U16: expect the full count against even numbers with an everyone-touches rule.
Equipment
1 ball, half court
Setup
Two teams in the half court, one ball.
Steps
- 1Complete passes to score a point; a set number (e.g. 8–11) in a row = a 'basket'.
- 2No dribbling — you must pass and cut.
- 3Defence tries to deflect or steal, then it's their turn.
- 4Reset the count on any turnover.
Coaching points
- Cut hard to get open — don't stand still.
- Meet the pass and give a target.
- Fake one way, pass the other.
Why kids love it
It teaches spacing and cutting without the ball, and the count adds a fun team goal.
Variations
Add a rule: everyone must touch it before it counts.
Play 3-on-2 and count to five instead of eleven.
Once you reach the target count the team may shoot — a make is worth double.