Eleven Passes

Scrimmage/finisher

Keep possession and move as a team — no dribbling.

10 min 8–12 Half court
PassingTeamworkU10U12U14U16

Game guide

8–12 · 1 ball, half court

Get everyone ready

Keep-away — spread outOffence spaces wide; defence tries to deflect the ball. 123X2X3X1

● Player / attack■ DefenceGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Two teams in the half court, one ball.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Cut hard to get open — don't stand still.

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

Two teams in the half court, one ball.

  1. Complete passes to score a point; a set number (e.g. 8–11) in a row = a 'basket'.
  2. No dribbling — you must pass and cut.
  3. Defence tries to deflect or steal, then it's their turn.
  4. Reset the count on any turnover.

Suggested reset

On a turnover the other team takes the ball and the passing count restarts. After the target is reached, record the point, reset spacing and check the ball. Rotate waiting teams between rounds; keep spare balls outside the passing area.

Coaching cues

  • Cut hard to get open — don't stand still.
  • Meet the pass and give a target.
  • Fake one way, pass the other.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Add a rule: everyone must touch it before it counts.

Easier: Play 3-on-2 and count to five instead of eleven.

Score to Finish: Once you reach the target count the team may shoot — a make is worth double.

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.

What good looks like
  • 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

  1. 1Complete passes to score a point; a set number (e.g. 8–11) in a row = a 'basket'.
  2. 2No dribbling — you must pass and cut.
  3. 3Defence tries to deflect or steal, then it's their turn.
  4. 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

Harder

Add a rule: everyone must touch it before it counts.

Easier

Play 3-on-2 and count to five instead of eleven.

Score to Finish

Once you reach the target count the team may shoot — a make is worth double.

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