Video: Hoop Group Skills Drill of the Week - Jump Stop / Pivot / Pass by Hoop Group
Dribble slowly into a small two-foot landing, freeze, then choose a pass or pivot without taking an extra step.
Setup
Use a clear lane with enough room for two feet to land together. Begin without a ball if the child is still learning the landing shape, then add a slow dribble once the stop feels stable.
Steps
- Dribble forward slowly.
- Land on two feet at the same time.
- Freeze in a balanced stance.
- Pivot, pass, or restart.
- Repeat from both directions so the child does not always stop on the same foot.
Coaching points
- Two feet land together with knees soft.
- Freeze before the next action so the child can feel the legal stopping position.
- Keep the chest up and the ball protected near the body.
- Choose the pivot foot only after the landing is balanced.
Common mistakes
- Taking an extra step after stopping.
- Landing narrow and off balance.
- Jumping too far forward and needing a recovery step.
- Pivoting before the child has actually frozen the landing.
Make it easier
Remove the dribble and practise walking into a two-foot landing. Hold the freeze for two seconds before adding a pass or pivot.
Make it harder
Add a parent call to choose left or right, receive a pass before the jump stop, or pivot and make a controlled chest pass.
How to know it is working
The child can stop with two feet together, hold balance for two seconds, and choose the next action without taking an extra step.
Safety
Use a dry, level surface and keep the landing distance short. Stop if the child is landing stiffly, slipping, or losing balance repeatedly.
Common questions
Does a jump stop prevent traveling?
It gives a beginner a clear two-foot landing to practise, but game rules and referee decisions still depend on what happened before and after the stop.
Should the child jump high?
No. The goal is a small, balanced landing on two feet, not height. Keep the movement quiet and controlled.