Layup Lines Warm-Up Carousel
A basketball warm-up with two lines at each hoop: one dribbles in for a layup, the other rebounds and passes. Legs and shoulders get ready while students rehearse dribbling, passing, and the running layup.
How to play
- Split the class into groups of about 6 per hoop. At each hoop, a shooting line on the right elbow and a rebounding line on the left, with cones about 20 feet from the rim.
- Minutes 0-2: right-hand dribble, walking and then jogging, soft layup, and return around the outside to the opposite line.
- Minutes 2-4: the rebounder grabs the ball, chest-passes to the next shooter already on the move, and switches lines so everyone plays both roles.
- Minutes 4-7: left-side layups with a left-hand dribble and clear two-step footwork. Each group counts its made baskets.
- Minutes 7-9: group challenge, 10 layups in a row without the ball hitting the floor after the rebound; a miss resets to zero.
- Minutes 9-10: two easy free throws per student and a calf stretch while waiting in line.
Rules
- Only one ball is live at each hoop at a time to prevent collisions under the rim.
- Return to the line around the outside of the key, never under the basket.
- Jogging pace at the start; game speed only in the last few minutes.
- The rebounder never shoots: catch, pass, and switch lines.
Variations
Easier
Layups are done without a dribble, catching the pass two steps from the basket.
Standard
Layups alternate between right and left sides with one approach dribble and a pass from the rebounder.
Harder
A passive defender at the elbow forces the shooter to switch hands before attacking the rim.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student in a wheelchair is the fixed passer at the elbow and shoots at a lowered hoop.
- Autism or shyness: keep the same group and hoop every time, with a picture card of the route taped to the pole.
- Lower fitness: the student may walk the route instead of jogging and use a lighter size 5 ball.
Learning goals
- Warm up the body gradually using basketball-specific movements.
- Coordinate the dribble, two-step footwork, and the running shot.
- Work toward a group goal while switching between shooter and rebounder roles.
Equipment for a class of 25
- basketball: 8
- cones: 8
- basketball hoops: 4
Teacher tip
The most common mistake is traveling or jumping off the wrong foot; chalk two footprints for the gather. Have one ball for every three students so lines keep moving.
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