Basketball Practice Plans for Ages 13–14
Age-appropriate basketball practices for 13–14 year olds (U14) — built to keep every kid active and having fun. Ball in every kid's hands, every minute.
By thirteen and fourteen, kids can train much like older athletes — structured warmups, focused skill work, tactical drills, and competitive game situations. They can handle repetition and correction, and many are genuinely committed. Push the intensity and the details, but keep the environment positive: this age quits fastest when practice becomes a joyless grind.
What a great 13–14 practice looks like
What to work on in basketball
Everyone has a ball. Dribbling games and stationary moves build control before anything else.
Close-range reps with good form and a real cue — high reps, right height hoop for the age.
Chest and bounce passes taught through movement games, not stand-still lines.
3v3 and 4v4 give kids more touches, decisions, and shots than full-court 5v5.
Gear: A ball per kid, a few cones, pinnies, and a hoop or two at the right height.
A sample 13–14 basketball practice plan
Here's a real 75-minute plan Coach Coach generated for a 13–14 basketball team. Yours is customized to your kids and ready in under 30 seconds.
🏆 Basketball Practice — Ages 13-14 — 75 min
⏱️ Warmup (10 min)
- Dynamic Dribble Warm-up — Pair up the kids. Each pair has a ball. They dribble around the court, weaving through each other, mixing in high knees, butt kicks, and side shuffles while dribbling. Encourage them to switch hands. Keeps them moving and engaged, and a great way to start practice with some laughs.
🎯 Skill Work (40 min)
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Shooting Form and Layups (20 min)
Setup: Split into 3 groups, each with a ball, at different baskets.
How it runs: Start with form shooting close to the basket, focusing on proper technique. After a few minutes, practice layups from both sides.
Coaching cue: "Soft hands on the shot, use the backboard for layups."
Success: Consistent form and making more baskets over time. -
Passing and Cutting Drill (20 min)
Setup: Set up two lines on the baseline, one with balls and one without.
How it runs: The player with the ball passes to a coach or another player at the top of the key, then cuts to the basket for a return pass and layup. Rotate lines.
Coaching cue: "Pass, cut hard, and look for the ball."
Success: Quick, accurate passes and strong cuts.
🏃 Game Time (20 min)
- 3v3 Half-court Games
Format: Split into four teams. Two play while the other two rest, rotating every few minutes.
Modified rules: Man-to-man defense only, encourage passing and movement off the ball.
What to look for: Teamwork, communication, and players looking for open shots and making good passes.
🧊 Wrap Up (5 min)
- Free Throw Challenge — Each player shoots 5 free throws. Celebrate the makes.
Question: "What’s one thing you improved today?"
Finish with high-fives and a cheer.
🎒 What to Bring
- 6 balls
- 6 pinnies
- 8 cones
Setup note: Use cones to mark starting points for the passing drill.
📋 Coach's Cheat Sheet
- "Keep your eyes up when dribbling."
- "Communicate with your teammates."
- "Move without the ball."
Common Mistakes:
- Kids may forget to look up when dribbling. Gently remind them by saying, "Find a teammate with your eyes."
- Players might rush shots. Encourage them to take a moment to set their feet and aim.
Praise loudly when you see:
- Players hustling on defense or making an unselfish pass.
✅ Coach Coach Check
- Every kid gets touches in every drill.
- No standing in long lines.
- At least one small-sided game.
- Age-appropriate intensity.
Coach your best practice tonight
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Build your basketball planBasketball practice questions
What should a basketball practice for 13–14 year olds look like?
By thirteen and fourteen, kids can train much like older athletes — structured warmups, focused skill work, tactical drills, and competitive game situations. They can handle repetition and correction, and many are genuinely committed. Push the intensity and the details, but keep the environment positive: this age quits fastest when practice becomes a joyless grind.
What rim height should young kids use?
Lower it. Ages 5–8 do best on 6–8 foot hoops, 9–11 around 9 feet, and 12+ can move to the regulation 10 feet. A rim they can actually reach builds real shooting form instead of heaves.
How do I run a fun youth basketball practice?
Keep everyone with a ball, keep drills short, and finish with small-sided games. Dribble tag, knockout, and 3v3 keep kids moving and laughing while they build skills.
How long should youth basketball practice last?
45–60 minutes for younger kids, up to 75–90 for older, more competitive teams. Break it into short blocks so nobody gets bored standing around.