4 Small Sided Games to Elevate a Summer Basketball Camps

Summer camp season is here! I’m often asked what my favorite small-sided games are for various age groups of campers. Here are four of my go-to Small Sided Games (SSGs) for summer basketball camp.

1. Blind 1 v 1 

Blind 1 v 1 is a great finishing drill to use when working with players of any age. When players are younger, they tend to need bigger advantages in order to get off a shot. Defenders’ reaction time is typically slower when the ball is taken off their back, which results in that bigger advantage for the offense.  When players are older, defenders react quicker, which results in a smaller advantage. It’s a very versatile SSG! See it in action with or without a Dr. Dish machine in the videos below. 

without a Dr. Dish

with a Dr. Dish 

2. 1 v 1 cone finishing 

For this game, I tell players to find a partner of similar size and skill – one player is a “1” and the other is a “2.” Team 1 is on offense for 1:30, trying to score as many times as possible. At the end of 1:30, it’s Team 2’s turn to be on offense. The team with the most points at the end of time, wins. It’s a creative way to teach players to compete as a team in non-traditional game situations.

without a Dr. Dish

3. Contested shooting

This is another SSG that can be adjusted to use with players of different skills and ages. If working with younger players, have the defender touch the opposite elbow before closing out to the shooter. If the players are older, have the defender touch the nail then contest the shot. Either way, it’s a great drill to rep catch-and-shoot 3PAs.

4. 1 v 1 Opposite Cone Contest

If you’re a coach who doesn’t mind players shooting mid-range jumpers, this is a great option for one-dibble pull-ups. When the pass is made from the Dish, teach the shooter to catch “on the split” to simulate attacking a defender’s closeout. Adjust the defender’s cone out further or in closer to change how big or small of an advantage the shooter has to get off the shot.

Have you downloaded my newest SSG drill book? Check out Small-Sided Games Drill Book (Vol. 2). It’s FREE!