Start Here: 14-Day Basketball Dad Jumpstart
If your kid is starting basketball, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s confidence with the ball.
This plan is built for dads who can do 10–20 minutes a day, 4–5 days a week.
What matters most (in order)
- Dribbling — controlling the ball with either hand without looking down
- Layups — finishing at the basket from both sides
- Shooting form — consistent mechanics from close range before distance
- Passing — chest pass, bounce pass, accuracy
- Defense — stance, sliding, staying in front
What you need (minimal)
- A basketball (size 5 for ages 9-11, size 6 for 12-14, size 7 for 15+)
- A hoop (driveway, park, gym)
- A flat surface for dribbling drills
- A stopwatch (phone works)
The 14-day plan (10–20 minutes)
Days 1–2: Ball handling foundation
- 5 min: warmup (stationary dribbles — right, left, crossover, between legs)
- 10 min: dribble moves through cones — crossover, behind-the-back, hesitation
- 2 min: “ball slaps” and fingertip taps for feel
Days 3–4: Layups
- 5 min: warmup dribbling
- 10 min: right-hand layups (right side), left-hand layups (left side)
- Cue: “opposite foot, same hand” — right layup = jump off left foot
Days 5–6: Shooting form
- 5 min: warmup
- 10 min: form shooting from 3–5 feet. One hand (guide hand barely touches). BEEF: Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through
- 2 min: move back only if form stays clean
Day 7: Light day + confidence
- 10 min: repeat what felt best. End on a make.
Week 2: repeat + level up
Add: weak-hand dribbling emphasis, catch-and-shoot, free throws.
Positions 101
Point Guard (PG): runs the offense, best ball handler, distributes the ball.
Shooting Guard (SG): primary scorer from the perimeter, good shooter.
Small Forward (SF): versatile — scores inside and outside, plays defense.
Power Forward (PF): plays near the basket, rebounds, physical presence.
Center (C): tallest player, protects the rim, rebounds, scores close to the basket.