Island Hop
Chase game where the only safe place is a balanced jump stop on a marker.
What this drill teaches
The two-foot jump stop under real pressure. With a tagger closing in, landing balanced on an island is the only safe place on the floor, so the stop becomes urgent survival rather than a shape copied on the whistle.
In games: A player who can jump-stop at speed doesn't travel at the end of a fast break — they land balanced, eyes up, with a pivot and pass still available.
- Two feet landing together on the island, knees bent
- Eyes up after landing, already finding the next island
- Players spreading to far islands instead of queueing at one
U8: expect stumbling, step-on landings and lots of tags — the chasing is doing the work. U12: demand stuck, balanced landings every time and add the ball or the pivot exit.
Equipment
8-12 spot markers or hoops, 1 ball each optional
Setup
Scatter markers ('islands') across the half court, a few less than the number of players. One or two taggers.
Steps
- 1Players move freely between islands; taggers try to touch them.
- 2You are only safe when you are on an island in a two-foot jump stop with knees bent.
- 3Only one player per island, and you may not stay longer than three seconds.
- 4Get tagged and you become a tagger for the rest of the round.
Coaching points
- Land your jump stop, don't step onto the island — that is the whole skill.
- Knees bent and eyes up so you can see the next island.
- Don't queue up at the nearest island; spread out.
- Taggers: cut off the route to the empty islands instead of chasing.
Why kids love it
Jump-stopping under pressure with somewhere to go next is exactly what happens on a fast break. Islands make the stop urgent instead of academic.
Variations
One island per player and no time limit.
Everyone dribbles a ball throughout.
Islands must be left with a specified pivot before you run.
Remove one island every thirty seconds.