Free printable · PDF
Basketball Practice Plan Template
A basketball practice plan template breaks practice into timed blocks (warm-up, skill work, team drills, scrimmage and cool-down) so every minute has a purpose. This free PDF has a blank template plus filled-in 60-minute and 90-minute example plans you can copy.
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How to use it
- Pick one or two goals for the practice (for example: transition defense, finishing at the rim).
- Fill in the time blocks: start time, duration, drill, coaching points, equipment.
- Keep the scrimmage block: split the group black vs. white with reversible jerseys and play to your goal.
- Note what worked in the “After practice” box, and carry it into the next plan.
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What’s on the sheet
| Time | Min | Block / drill | Coaching points | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| … 10 rows on the printable sheet | ||||
After practice: what worked, what to fix next time: ____________________________
| Time | Min | Block / drill | Coaching points | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | 8 | Dynamic warm-up + form shooting | Elbow in, hold the follow-through | Balls |
| 0:08 | 10 | Ball-handling stations | Eyes up, both hands | Balls, cones |
| 0:18 | 10 | 3-man weave into layups | Pass ahead, finish with the outside hand | Balls |
| 0:28 | 10 | Shell defense (4 on 4) | Ball, you, man; talk on every pass | Reversible jerseys |
| 0:38 | 2 | Water | ||
| 0:40 | 15 | Scrimmage: black vs. white | Stops = bonus point; call players by number | Reversible jerseys |
| 0:55 | 5 | Free throws + team huddle | Two in a row to leave | Balls |
| Time | Min | Block / drill | Coaching points | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | 10 | Dynamic warm-up + form shooting | Same routine every practice | Balls |
| 0:10 | 12 | Skill stations (3 x 4 min) | Ball-handling, finishing, passing | Balls, cones |
| 0:22 | 10 | Closeouts + 1-on-1 from the wing | Short steps, high hands | Balls |
| 0:32 | 12 | Shell defense (4 on 4) | Help side, rotate, box out | Reversible jerseys |
| 0:44 | 3 | Water | ||
| 0:47 | 12 | 3-on-2, 2-on-1 transition | Fill lanes, stop the ball | Balls |
| 0:59 | 10 | Set plays / out-of-bounds | Walk, then live | Reversible jerseys |
| 1:09 | 15 | Scrimmage: black vs. white | Situations: up 2, 1:00 left | Reversible jerseys |
| 1:24 | 6 | Free throws under pressure + huddle | Make 8 of 10 as a team | Balls |
Frequently asked questions
How long should a basketball practice be?
Most youth teams practice 60 to 90 minutes. Shorter, well-planned practices with little standing around usually beat long ones. Both example plans in the PDF keep players moving.
What should a basketball practice plan include?
A warm-up, skill work, team drills tied to the day’s goal, a scrimmage, and a short finish (free throws or a huddle). Write the time, length and one or two coaching points for each block.
How do I split teams quickly at practice?
Reversible jerseys: half the group flips to the white side and you can play right away, with no pinnies to hand out. Numbered reversibles also let you call players by number during drills.