Monkey in the Middle Basketball Drill: Fun & Effective Skill Builder for Youth Players
Purpose of the Drill
The Monkey in the Middle drill helps youth players develop their passing under pressure, improve their footwork, and learn defensive anticipation. It's engaging, easy to implement, and offers valuable teaching moments—especially for newer players still developing their coordination and timing.
Setup
Form a group of 3 players.
Two offensive players stand about 10–12 feet apart.
One defender (the “monkey”) stands in the middle.
One basketball is used.
Execution
Start the Drill
The two offensive players begin by passing the ball back and forth, trying to avoid a steal by the defender in the middle.Rules for Offense
Only chest and bounce passes are allowed.
No overhead or trick passes.
Players cannot fake a pass excessively or stall—maintain quick tempo.
Rules for the Defender
The defender's goal is to deflect or steal the pass.
If the ball is stolen or deflected and hits the ground, the offensive player who made the pass rotates into the middle.
Rotation
Once the monkey wins possession or forces an error, they rotate out, and the passer becomes the new defender.
Full Breakdown for Coaches
Why This Drill Is So Effective for Youth
Monkey in the Middle teaches several core basketball skills in a fun, low-stress format. Young players enjoy the challenge of staying out of the middle while subconsciously practicing important habits like:
Making crisp passes under pressure
Reading the defender’s positioning
Moving without the ball to get open
Staying low in defensive stance
Because it mirrors real game decisions in a compact space, players begin to understand spacing, timing, and how to read a defender’s eyes and hands—all while staying highly engaged.
Teaching Points for Youth Coaches
Passers: Stress accuracy and timing. Keep the ball away from the defender’s reach and snap passes with intent.
Defender: Stay active on your toes. Don’t swipe early—wait for cues like eye direction or slow hands.
Communication: Encourage players to talk: “I’m open,” “Middle!” or call out tips/steals.
Spacing: Adjust the distance between players depending on age group—closer for beginners, wider for advanced.
Progressions and Variations
To keep the drill fresh and increase its difficulty as players improve, try the following variations:
Add a Second Ball: Double the chaos and improve reaction times.
Use More Players: Go 4 players on the perimeter with 2 in the middle.
Limit Pass Types: Only allow bounce passes or one-handed passes.
Time Challenge: Players must make a set number of passes (e.g., 10 in a row) to rotate out of the middle.
Move on the Perimeter: Passers can slide laterally to find better passing angles.
Defensive Development
The defender benefits just as much as the passers. As the “monkey,” players learn to:
Read eyes and shoulders
Use anticipation over reaction
Develop quick hands and reflexes
Understand positioning and angles
This drill lays the foundation for more complex defensive concepts later—like jumping passing lanes, closing out, and applying pressure without fouling.
How to Implement in Practice
Use it as a warm-up at the start of practice to get bodies moving and brains focused.
Include it in “Guard Skill” stations for youth teams.
Use it as a quick competitive game at the end of practice for engagement.
Ideal for elementary school or beginner middle school players who need to build confidence and enjoy structured chaos.
Final Takeaways
Monkey in the Middle is more than a playground classic—it’s a powerful, multi-purpose drill that develops essential passing and defensive skills in youth basketball. By teaching spacing, ball protection, anticipation, and communication in a fun environment, this drill becomes a go-to staple for youth coaches everywhere.
Best of all: Kids love it. And when players enjoy the process, they learn faster.
Incorporate this drill often to reinforce fundamentals with energy and fun—and rotate it with more advanced versions as players grow.
