Keep both feet visible: step toward the chest-high target as the arms extend, then catch the return with two hands and reset the feet.
Setup
Choose a solid wall with no windows, doors, traffic, or people behind the player. Mark a target at the child's chest height. Start 1.5 to 2 metres from the wall on a dry, level surface, leaving enough clear space for an awkward rebound. The child should be able to see the target, the ball, and both feet without turning sideways.
Steps
- Start in a balanced stance with the ball held at chest height and the eyes on the wall target.
- Step toward the target with one foot as the arms extend. The step and pass should happen together.
- Push the ball from the chest, snap the wrists, and finish with the thumbs pointing down and the fingers toward the target.
- For the first set, let the return pass bounce once. Move behind the ball and catch it with two hands in front of the chest.
- Bring the ball back to the chest, place both feet under the body, and pause before the next pass.
- Complete six controlled passes, rest for 20 seconds, then repeat for three sets. Change the lead foot for the second set.
- Use the final set to remove the bounce only if the return is predictable and every catch stays under control.
Coaching points
- Keep the ball at the chest. A chest pass is not an overhead throw or a push from one shoulder.
- Point the step at the target. A sideways or crossed step makes the body twist away from the pass.
- Extend both arms evenly and finish with the thumbs down. Watch whether one hand is doing most of the work.
- Show two hands early for the catch, keep the elbows soft, and bring the ball toward the chest instead of trapping it against the body.
- Reset the feet after every catch. The pause matters more than completing the set quickly.
Common mistakes
- Standing too close and throwing too hard, which makes the rebound difficult to read.
- Starting the ball below the waist or above the chin instead of from the chest.
- Stepping after the ball has left the hands rather than linking the step and pass.
- Catching with straight arms and being pulled toward the wall.
- Rushing the next throw before balance and hand position are restored.
Make it easier
Move closer, use a lighter age-appropriate ball, make the wall target wider, and allow one bounce before every catch. A parent can stand to the side and say 'step, pass, catch, reset' so the child handles one action at a time.
Make it harder
Move back by half a step, catch the rebound before it bounces, alternate the lead foot, or mark two targets and call left or right before each pass. Add only one change at a time; distance and speed should not rise together.
How to know it is working
The drill is ready to progress when the child can hit the target on five of six passes, catch without stumbling, and return to a balanced stance before passing again. If the ball repeatedly reaches the face or forces a chase, move closer and restore the bounce.
Safety
Check the wall and run-off area before every set. Do not use glass, brickwork with loose edges, a garage door that may open, or a space shared with vehicles. Stop if the surface becomes wet or the rebound is reaching the child's face. Use a ball size the child can pass without straining.
Common questions
Where should a wall chest pass hit?
Aim at a mark around the child's chest height. That gives the return pass a useful line for a two-handed catch without encouraging an overhead throw.
How far should a child stand from the wall?
Start about 1.5 to 2 metres away. Move only far enough that the pass reaches the target without a heave and the rebound remains comfortable to catch.
Should the ball bounce before the catch?
Let it bounce once while the child learns the step, pass, and reset pattern. Remove the bounce when the return is predictable and the child can catch with two hands without leaning or flinching.
Can this basketball passing drill be done without a partner?
Yes. A solid wall returns the pass, so one child can practise the pass and catch. An adult should still check the wall, nearby traffic, and the rebound path before the drill starts.