Does the 5-Man Weave Drill Still Have a Place in Youth Basketball?

The 5-man weave drill is one of the most recognizable drills in basketball. Nearly every coach has run it, watched it, or at least debated its value at some point. In youth basketball especially, the drill tends to spark strong opinions. Some coaches swear by it as a fundamental passing warm-up, while others see it as outdated and disconnected from real game situations. Like most things in coaching, the truth sits somewhere in the middle.

This post takes an honest look at the 5-man weave drill, where it falls short, and where it can still make sense when used intentionally.

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Why Coaches Question the 5-Man Weave Drill

The biggest criticism of the 5-man weave drill is simple: it is not very game-like. Players rarely pass, cut behind two teammates, and run straight lanes with no defenders during live action. For youth players, this often creates confusion rather than clarity.

Common issues coaches run into include:

• Players struggling with the sequence of pass, cut, and spacing
• Too much practice time spent explaining instead of playing
• Limited transfer to real transition decision-making

At the youth level, where practices may only be an hour long a few days a week, spending 10–15 minutes just teaching the structure of the 5-man weave drill can feel inefficient. Many coaches find they can teach passing, timing, and finishing through more game-relevant drills.

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When the 5-Man Weave Drill Can Be Useful

While the 5-man weave drill may not belong in the core of your practice plan, it can still serve a purpose in short, controlled doses. One effective use is as a bridge into live transition play. For example:

• Start with a 5-man weave down the court
• Flow immediately into 3-on-2 on the way back
• Continue into 2-on-1, then 1-on-1

In this setup, the weave is not the focus. It simply gets players moving and naturally creates communication. The passer and shooter become defenders, forcing players to talk, react, and identify who is getting back. The real value comes from the advantage and disadvantage situations that follow.

Used this way, the 5-man weave drill becomes a quick entry point rather than the main event.

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Using the 5-Man Weave Drill in Pre-Game Warmups

Another practical place for the drill is during short pre-game warmups, especially when you only have half a court.

A simple progression might look like this:

• Three-man or 5-man weave into a layup
• Coach provides light contact at the rim
• The other players space out and shoot perimeter shots

This creates multiple shots at once, keeps players active, and avoids long lines. Again, the drill works because it is brief and purposeful, not because it perfectly mirrors game play.

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Game-Like Alternatives Coaches Prefer

Many experienced coaches eventually replace the 5-man weave drill with transition drills that show up directly on film. One example is a pinch-and-tip transition drill, where defenders attack the ball from behind, force turnovers, and immediately flow into numbers advantages going the other way.

These drills emphasize:

• Ball pressure from behind
• Communication in transition
• Finishing under contact
• Playing both advantage and disadvantage situations

Unlike the 5-man weave drill, these concepts appear repeatedly in real games and can scale with players as they grow into higher levels of basketball.

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The Bottom Line on the 5-Man Weave Drill

The 5-man weave drill is not useless, but it is often overused. It works best as a tool, not a foundation. Short bursts, clear purpose, and quick transitions into live play are where it can still fit.

If a drill eats up valuable practice time without clear game transfer, it is worth rethinking. Youth players benefit most from activities that mirror what they will actually see on the court, now and in the future.

If you are looking for ready-to-use practice plans, game-like drills, and a clear structure for maximizing limited gym time, that is exactly why TeachHoops exists. Everything is organized so you can spend less time guessing and more time coaching.

Coaching is about choosing what matters most. Use the 5-man weave drill wisely, or replace it with something that better serves your players.

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