The best way is to build in penalties for not moving. I have always run a game called cut throat. This gives points or turnovers for actions that are the underlying causes for success or failure in the game. For instance, a player catches the ball and doesn't face up to the basket, automatic turnover (can't be a threat if you don't see the basket and the floor). Or a player puts the ball above their head (can't shoot above your head, can't effectively pass, and can't attack the basket, plus the defense is in their face because above the head means they are standing straight up and not in a stance), automatic turnover. Player gets an offensive rebound, one point etc, you can get creative to enforce whatever skills you need. I even go so far as to have them thank the passer if they score, otherwise the basket doesn't count.

You can do the same thing with motion, standing results in a turnover. Kids are quick to pick up that if they want to stay on the floor playing they need to focus.

I usually run this in 4 on 4 out of the baseline say 3 or 4 teams of four, teams stay on offense if they score, step off on a turnover or defensive rebound, new defense comes on, cycle them in and out fast.

This helps to enforce the things that are important, teach competition, and introduce a little bit of chaos, which is always important.

Hope this helps

There is a game we use to teach movement without the ball for many sports. It is called ultimate spongeball and is an easy game to play. Especially good for younger athletes. Making a game fun and that teaches the fundamentals you want them to learn is very important for the age bracket you are working with. Here is the link to the game and its rules. Hope this helps: http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=821

Note: Even thought it states 7th grade through 12th it can be played much younger. In addition, the team that scores the most is the one who learns and understands the idea of moving without the ball. Lastly, it is much easier to teach and to learn if you use smaller teams, say 3 v 3, and play on full basketball courts using the wall as the goal. Just touching the wall with the ball causes a score, then the team who scores immediately drops the ball and plays person to person defense (man to man). Two basketball courts can accommodate 18 players / two sets of 3 teams. Play king of the court with two teams on a court and rotate the non-scoring team out with the team sitting out after each point scored.

The game is used for teaching movement without the ball for soccer as well.

One thing I've done with younger kids is to run relay race kinds of drills. One example. Break the team into two groups (five and five or four and four depending on team size). Start with two lines on the baseline. The second player in line holds the ball. The first runs out to the elbow and breaks toward the sideline. The player with the ball delivers a bounce pass to the first who dribbles back to the line, giving the ball to the new second player. The player who started with the ball then runs to the elbow and we repeat until one team wins.

As the kids get older you can run a second lap where, instead of dribbling back, the player who catches the pass passes the ball back. Then a third lap where the player catches the ball and then shoots before retrieving it and passing it back.

Now this does several things. First, the players are moving without the ball. Secondly, it is a great opportunity to teach kids how to do an L cut at the elbow. Third, we are showing how to make a bounce pass. Fourth, kids are learning to catch the ball on the move. Fifth, we show them triple threat position. Sixth, they work on dribbling.

I also like to place objects such as chairs on the court for players to run around. Sort of an obstacle course they need to run around. They get to move past two or three chairs then receive a pass and take a shot. Once they get into a game, those chairs become players and they are more comfortable with moving around and past objects in their way.

One of the best drills I have ever done, as a player and a coach is to scrimmage where no one can dribble the ball. That way everyone has to move to get open and get the ball down the court. I used this with my teams when they started in the 4th grade and it sure helped them get moving to get open. The rules stay the same. If they dribble it is a turnover. I always played the game to who ever scores 5 baskets first is the winner. The loser has to run. I just instituted a freethrow had to be made by the winner. If the freethrow is missed, the winner ran and the loser watched them run. When I see the team getting stagnant and standing around, we instantly go in to the no dribbling game. It gets them motivated. Try it.

I agree with George and Kirk, no-dribble drill is very good for teaching movement!

With my 4th and 5th grade boys I emphasize movement on offense. I try to get them not to stand in the same place for more than 3 seconds. Constant motion! Either set a pick, run off a screen or cut to the basket. Keep Moving!

One thing that's been helpful is getting the kids ALWAYS cut to the basket after passing. EVERY TIME.

Good Luck with your team. Chris Kelley - Framingham

Great response. Sometimes getting them to just interchange on the side opposite the ball, yet emphasizing spacing. A lot of the time they will just cut to the ball and you will get a group of people in a small area. Stressing that they help each other get open, by setting picks that will benefit the TEAM! Enjoy your time with them. It is great seeing them develop from practice to practice.