Little Feet and Circle Work

Cam HughesCoach, England

To help your U11s team get back on track with their circle movement and "little feet" techniques, here are some drills and tips you can incorporate into your training sessions:

Drills for Circle Movement:

1. Virtual Snake-bite:

• Description: Players move around cones simulating blocking without running in front of the cone. They should use their outside hand to flash in front of the cone as if blocking a ball.
• Coaching Points: Ensure high effort levels and palms facing up as if blocking an opposing player.
• 1 Virtual Snake-bite Drill.

1. Circle Movement:

• Description: Players drive out and choose a cone to move around. Passer delivers the ball to the working player near the hoop, who then takes a shot.
• Coaching Points: Encourage players to turn sideways onto the ball when moving to the post.
• 2 Circle Movement Drill.

Drills for "Little Feet":

1. Individual Footwork:

• Description: Players practice "little feet" and body angles by moving in and out of two cones set on the baseline.
• Coaching Points: Work in partners and take turns. Remind players of the actions in and out as they fatigue.
• 3 Individual Footwork Drill.

1. Balloons Alive:

• Description: Players tap a balloon then drive out to a cone before tapping the balloon again, keeping it 'alive'.
• Coaching Points: Drive out to a cone and return to the middle before driving back out.
• 4 Balloons Alive Drill.

Additional Tips:

• Reinforce Basics: Regularly revisit the basics of footwork and movement. Simple drills like "Follow My Leader" can help reinforce these skills.
• Encourage Communication: Ensure players are communicating effectively on the court, calling for the ball, and signalling their movements.
• Use Visual Aids: Demonstrate the drills and movements clearly. Sometimes visual learning can be more effective for younger players.

Implementing these drills should help your team regain their confidence and skills in both circle movement and using "little feet" effectively.

I hope this helps,

Cam