Helena Frye
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in basketball, and teaching it to children requires a focus on the fundamentals. Young players often struggle with dribbling due to a lack of force in their dribble and a tendency to look down at the ball. To address this, coaches should start by teaching the correct technique, emphasizing the use of finger pads and force when pushing the ball into the ground. Players should also be encouraged to keep their heads up to maintain awareness of the court. With practice, children can develop their dribbling skills, which will improve their performance and enjoyment of the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand position | Fingers should be relaxed and spread out evenly on the ball. The fingertips control the ball, and it should be pushed into the ground with force. |
| Body position | Players should bend their knees and stay low to the ground, as this makes them more explosive. |
| Ball control | The less time the ball is out of the player's hands, the more control they have. Players should use an "arm bar" to protect the ball from defenders. |
| Drills | Players should practice different types of dribbles, using both hands, and responding to verbal cues. |
| Practice tips | Players should watch themselves on video to improve their technique. |
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What You'll Learn
Relax your fingers and spread them out evenly on the ball
When teaching a child to dribble a basketball, one of the first things to instruct them on is to relax their fingers and spread them out evenly on the basketball. Young kids tend to keep their fingers together unless they are taught otherwise. Stiff hands will cause the player to lose control of the ball. Therefore, it's important for players to get comfortable relaxing their hands and fingers.
To do this, the child should place their fingers on the basketball and bend their knees, staying low to the ground. They should keep their feet shoulder-width apart and drop their hips back to get in a low stance. This will give them balance and the opportunity to move quickly or change directions. The child should then start dribbling by pounding the ball into the ground, extending their arm, and snapping their wrist to send the ball downwards. Each time the ball returns to their hand, they should push it back towards the ground, not catching it in their hand.
It's important to note that the basketball should touch all the pads of the player's hand, but it's the fingertips that control the ball. The player should also be aware of keeping their dribble low. The higher the dribble, the easier it is for an opponent to steal the ball.
Once the child has the basics down, they can begin to work on keeping their head up while dribbling. This will help them see their teammates and look at what the defence is doing. They can also practice dribbling with their eyes closed to improve their dribbling skills without looking at the ball.
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Bend your knees and stay low to the ground
Bending your knees and staying low to the ground is a crucial aspect of dribbling a basketball effectively. This stance helps protect the ball from defenders and gives you greater mobility on the court. Here are some detailed instructions to teach a child this important skill:
Start by getting into the correct stance: spread your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees, dropping your hips back slightly as if you were about to sit in a chair. Keep your back straight and lean forward slightly, with your weight on the balls of your feet. This stance lowers your centre of gravity, providing stability and making it easier to change directions quickly.
Next, teach the child to bounce the ball off the ground firmly but under control. The ball should be bounced at knee height or lower, close to the side of your leg. Emphasize that the fingertips are the only part of the hand that should touch the ball, and they should continue to push the ball down each time it makes contact with their fingertips. This technique helps keep the ball low and reduces the risk of a defender stealing it.
Additionally, instruct the child to keep their head up and maintain eye contact with the court. Looking up allows them to be aware of their teammates and defenders' positions and enables them to make better decisions while dribbling. It may be challenging at first, but with practice, it will become more intuitive.
To increase difficulty, teach the child to alternate between dribbling with their right and left hands while sitting down. This drill helps improve their dribbling speed and coordination. Encourage them to practice this technique in a figure-eight motion to enhance their control further. Remind them to bend their knees further to decrease their distance to the floor, making it easier to dribble at higher speeds.
By mastering the skill of bending their knees and staying low to the ground while dribbling, children can improve their ball control, protect the ball from defenders, and increase their mobility on the court.
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Push the ball into the ground with force
When dribbling a basketball, it's important to push the ball into the ground with force. This is because if a player bounces the basketball without much force, the ball can be easily taken by a defender. Therefore, players should bend their knees and stay low to the ground when they have possession of the ball. This stance makes players more explosive, allowing them to quickly change direction and attack the rim.
To dribble with force, players should extend their elbow and snap their wrist at the bottom of the movement. They should also spread their feet shoulder-width apart and keep their head up and shoulders square. This position helps protect the ball while giving the player mobility. Players should also aim to dribble with quick, short bounces, keeping the ball close to the ground. This makes it harder for an opponent to steal the ball.
It's important to note that dribbling with force doesn't mean using serious arm strength. Instead, players should use a controlled motion of the wrist and forearm, without tiring their arm out. They should also avoid slapping at the ball with stiff hands and fingers. Rather, players should relax their hands and fingers, allowing the fingertips to control the basketball.
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Protect the ball with an 'arm bar'
Protecting the ball with an arm bar is an advanced technique that can be used to great effect when dribbling a basketball. It involves creating a physical shield with your arm to protect the ball from defenders. This technique can be extremely useful in preventing turnovers and maintaining possession of the ball. However, it can also be tricky to execute legally, so it's important to understand the rules and practice to develop precision.
When using the arm bar technique, it's crucial to maintain control over your body movement and the ball. Extending your forearm to make contact with an opponent without impeding their progress is a delicate balance. It's important to remember that using your hand, elbow, or forearm to block a defender is not always considered legal. If used offensively against a defensive player, it can result in a foul.
To execute the arm bar technique effectively, you need a solid understanding of the rules and your boundaries. NBA officiating staff can provide valuable insights and interpretations of the rules, so it's worth familiarizing yourself with their guidance. By learning the principles and practicing consistently, you can master the arm bar technique and improve your dribbling skills.
The arm bar technique is particularly useful when dribbling the ball down the lane or during perimeter play. It can help you create space and shield the ball from defenders trying to disrupt your dribble. However, it's important to remember that basketball is a game that emphasizes fun and fair play. While the arm bar can be a powerful tool, it should be used strategically and within the boundaries of the rules to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for all players.
Practicing the arm bar technique can be incorporated into dribbling drills. For example, you can set up a drill where players dribble down the court while responding to verbal cues. By adding commands such as "arm bar" or "crossover," players can work on their dribbling skills while also developing their understanding of the arm bar technique. Remember, when teaching young players, it's important to focus on skills and fun rather than complex concepts. The arm bar technique is an advanced skill that should be introduced gradually as players develop their dribbling fundamentals.
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Dribble with both hands
Dribbling with both hands is an essential skill for young basketball players to develop. It doubles their opportunities on the court and makes them less predictable to defenders.
To begin, players should relax their fingers, ensuring they are spread out evenly across the basketball. This increases control and prevents 'slapping' at the ball. Players should also bend their knees and stay low to the ground, as this makes them more explosive. They can then push the ball into the ground with force, extending their elbow and snapping their wrist.
It is important to emphasise the use of both hands when teaching dribbling. One effective drill involves having players line up on the baseline and advance down the court in response to verbal cues. Instruct them to switch between different types of dribbles, such as a "crossover", to improve their agility and coordination.
Players should also be taught to protect the ball when dribbling. This can be achieved through techniques such as the "arm bar", where the arm is held out to deter defenders from reaching in. Additionally, turning the back or shoulder towards the defender can also provide protection and make it harder for them to steal the ball.
By focusing on dribbling with both hands and incorporating these protective techniques, young players can develop their ball-handling skills and become more confident on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some tips to get children comfortable with dribbling a basketball:
- Relax the fingers and spread them out evenly on the ball.
- Bend the knees and stay low to the ground.
- Push the basketball into the ground with force by extending the elbow and snapping the wrist.
- Use both hands.
- Protect the ball by turning your back or shoulder towards the defender.
Some common mistakes to avoid are:
- Not dribbling with enough force, which can cause the ball to be easily taken by a defender.
- Only dribbling with one hand, making it harder to attack the rim and easier for defenders to steal the ball.
- Keeping the head down while dribbling, which is natural at first but can hinder progress in the long run.
One drill that can help teach dribbling is to have players line up on the baseline and advance down the court in response to different verbal cues. For example, the coach can call out different types of dribbles, such as a "crossover", that players must immediately switch to. This helps players improve their dribbling skills and responsiveness.
