TOP 10 SKILLS BY 10 YEARS OLD

BASKETBALL

Dribbling – uses both hands comfortably and in-control while in stationary and dynamic positions.
Shooting – uses proper form and follow-through motion consistently for shots up to 15 feet.
Passing – uses chest/bounce/overhead/baseball passes in the correct situations with proper form.
Rebounding – understands the basics of boxing-out, finding the ball off of the rim, and timing jump.
Lay-Ups – uses proper footwork to approach the basket at full speed.
Defense – understands the concepts of man-to-man and zone defense while using proper footwork and positioning.
Footwork – competent using the triple threat position, pivoting, jabbing and jump stopping.
“Finishing Moves” – ability to use different moves to score including stutter steps, cross-overs, floaters and runners.
Movement – basic understanding of how to move without the ball to get open and maintain court spacing.
Gameplay IQ – age-appropriate understanding of gameplay situations and principles i.e. identifying defensive pressure, identifying the open teammate, restarting play after whistle etc.

Dribbling – uses both feet comfortably, keeps control while moving throughout the field.
Shooting – uses proper form and follow-through motion consistently. Can shoot on goal from anywhere inside of the penalty area.
Passing – uses ABC’s (Approach, Body, Contact) of passing. Chooses proper passes in the correct situations.
Receiving/Trapping – consistently gains possession of a ball that is moving at a moderate speed/height. Uses body to shield the ball from defenders.
Goalkeeping – understands proper area for goalie to use hands. Punts the ball consistently, dives when necessary.
Defense – understands the concept of one on one defending, using proper footwork and positioning.
Throw-ins – able to use two hands to throw the ball over the head to restart play.
“Attacking Moves” – ability to use different moves to get past a defender including step-overs, scissors, cut-backs, Maradona etc.
Movement – understands how to move without the ball, to get open, and to maintain field spacing.
Gameplay IQ – age-appropriate understanding of gameplay situations and principles i.e. set- pieces, identifying defensive pressure, shooting when appropriate, etc.

Throwing – uses proper throwing technique and can accurately throw the ball between all of the bases.
Catching/Outfield – uses proper form when catching balls in the air. Identifies where a ball is going after it is hit.
Fielding/Infield – uses proper form when fielding a ground ball and identifies where a ball is going after it is hit.
Batting – SSHH (Stance, Shoulders, Hands, Head) preparation. Will swing at pitches that look like strikes.
Base-running – looks at base coaches for instruction while on the base path. Runs inside the baseline.
Pitching – executes the pitching motion, and can consistently hit the strike zone.
Catching/Behind Plate – consistently catches pitches and will attempt to block a ball in the dirt.
Footwork – has ability to maneuver feet to field, catch and throw balls that are not hit directly to player
Bunting – can execute a bunt with proper form.
Gameplay IQ – age-appropriate understanding of gameplay situations and principles i.e. where to throw the ball with men on base, when to steal if the catcher misses a pitch etc.

Cradling – uses both hands comfortably, keeps control of the ball while in stationary and dynamic positions.
Catching – uses proper form and can receive a ball moving at moderate speed.
Passing – uses proper form to send a catchable pass to teammate(s).
Shooting – uses proper form to shoot, can changes release point levels on the shot to confuse the goalkeeper, able to shoot on the run.
Ground-balls – able to scoop the ball while stationary and on the run, in game-like situations.
Face-offs – uses body during face-offs to effectively win the ball.
Goalkeeping – can identify when a shot is being taken, will attempt to block all shots he/she sees.
Dodging – ability to use different dodges to get past a defender. Roll, split, and face dodges.
Movement – basic understanding of how to move without the ball to get open and maintain field spacing.
Gameplay IQ – age-appropriate understanding of gameplay situations and principles i.e. identifying attacking and defending numbers, identifying the open teammate etc.

Throwing – uses dominant hand comfortably and can reach a target at 10 yards.
Catching – uses two hands when catching a ball, hands first, brings the ball into the body.
Route-Running – can execute routes when asked. Knows basic routes taught by the coaches.
Running between the tackles – understands how to find openings in the line and is able to run between them.
Blocking – uses proper form, keeping hands in between the pads.
Defense – understands the concepts of man-to-man and zone defense while using proper footwork and positioning.
Footwork – knows how to maneuver feet to give good body position when catching, throwing, and blocking.
“Jukes”– ability to use different moves to beat a defender including stutter steps, cutting to change direction, and changing speeds.
Movement – Understands of how to get open, to maintain field spacing, and to move through contact.
Gameplay IQ – age-appropriate understanding of gameplay situations and principles i.e. identify the right person to block, identify open areas of the field to run towards.