Speed Layup Challenge

Fun game

Make as many team layups as possible in a set time.

8 min 6–12 Half court
ShootingTeamworkU8U10U12U14U16

Step-by-step walkthrough

6–12 · 2 balls, 1 hoop

Get everyone ready

Two lines · two balls1 and 2 are shooters, each holding a ball. 3 rebounds first; 4 waits in the rebound queue. The second ball stays with 2 until the lane clears. 1234

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Two lines (shooters and rebounders) at the basket, two balls.

Look for: Under control, don't rush the finish.

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

Two lines (shooters and rebounders) at the basket, two balls.

  1. Shooter drives in and makes a layup.
  2. Rebounder grabs it and passes to the next shooter.
  3. Count the team's makes in 2 minutes.
  4. Try to beat the score next round.

Suggested reset

The shooter joins the rebounding line. The rebounder retrieves and passes to the next shooter before joining the shooting line. Keep the spare ball with the waiting shooter and start only after the previous finish has cleared the rim. Stop both balls at the buzzer.

Coaching cues

  • Under control, don't rush the finish.
  • Quick, accurate outlet passes.
  • Everyone hustles — it's a team score.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Alternate right and left-hand finishes.

Easier: Start at the block with no dribble — two steps and finish.

Beat your score: Write the team's total on the whiteboard and try to beat it every session.

What this drill teaches

Finishing at full speed without losing control — with a team score doing the motivating. The clock pushes the tempo up while the shared total punishes rushing, so kids find the fastest speed they can still finish at.

In games: Transition layups are the easiest points in youth basketball and the most commonly blown — this builds finishers who sprint in and still convert.

What good looks like
  • Full-speed drives that still finish softly
  • Quick, accurate outlet passes from the rebounders
  • Both lines hustling — nobody coasting between turns

U8: start at the block with no dribble — two steps and finish. U14–U16: expect alternating right- and left-hand finishes and a team record on the whiteboard.

Equipment

2 balls, 1 hoop

Setup

Two lines (shooters and rebounders) at the basket, two balls.

Steps

  1. 1Shooter drives in and makes a layup.
  2. 2Rebounder grabs it and passes to the next shooter.
  3. 3Count the team's makes in 2 minutes.
  4. 4Try to beat the score next round.

Coaching points

  • Under control, don't rush the finish.
  • Quick, accurate outlet passes.
  • Everyone hustles — it's a team score.

Why kids love it

A ticking clock plus a team goal gets everyone sprinting and cheering.

Variations

Harder

Alternate right and left-hand finishes.

Easier

Start at the block with no dribble — two steps and finish.

Beat your score

Write the team's total on the whiteboard and try to beat it every session.

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill