Ayrton Oneill
Dribbling is an essential skill in basketball, and teaching it to ninth graders requires a combination of fundamental techniques and practical drills. While it may seem daunting at first, with the right approach, anyone can learn to dribble effectively. This involves understanding the purpose of dribbling, developing ball control, and applying protective techniques to avoid defenders. By mastering dribbling, players can improve their overall game and increase their chances of success on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dribbling technique | Use the entire arm, not just the wrist |
| Dribbling force | Use enough force to maintain control of the ball |
| Dribbling hand position | Relax fingers, spread them out evenly, and bend knees |
| Dribbling purpose | Advance the ball, drive to the hoop, get open for a shot, open up a passing lane, get out of a trap, or kill the clock |
| Dribbling drills | Speed dribble and lay-up, dribbling around chairs, spinning move, two-handed passing, one-handed dribbling, etc. |
| Dribbling protection | Use the 'arm bar' technique to protect the ball from defenders |
| Dribbling head position | Keep your head up and eyes on the court, not on the ball |
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What You'll Learn
- Relax your fingers and spread them evenly across the basketball
- Use your fingertips and pads of the hand to dribble, not your palm
- Keep your head up and eyes focused on the court, not the ball
- Protect the basketball from defenders using your arm and body
- Practice dribbling drills to improve technique and speed
Relax your fingers and spread them evenly across the basketball
When dribbling a basketball, it is important to relax your fingers and spread them evenly across the ball. This may not come naturally to 9th graders, as young kids tend to keep their fingers together unless they are taught otherwise. However, this is a crucial step to master, as spreading your fingers out increases the surface area of the basketball that you are touching, giving you more control over the ball.
To do this, hold the basketball so that your fingertips are the only part of your hand that is touching it. The basketball should touch all of the pads on your hand, but it is the fingertips that will control the ball. Avoid making a claw shape with your hand, as this will make it harder to dribble.
When dribbling, you should also keep your hand on top of the ball, with your palm directly over it. This will help you to control the motion of the ball and prevent it from getting away from you. It will also ensure that the ball bounces back up into your fingertips.
Practising dribbling with relaxed, spread-out fingers will help 9th graders develop good technique and improve their ball control. This, in turn, will help them to become more confident and effective players.
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Use your fingertips and pads of the hand to dribble, not your palm
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and it is important to get the basics right. Using your fingertips and pads of the hand to dribble, rather than the palm, is a key part of this. Here's why:
Firstly, using your fingertips and pads of the hand provides greater control and touch with the ball. When you dribble with your palm, you tend to slap at the ball, which results in a weak dribble that doesn't come back up to your hand. This is because you are only using the force generated by your wrist. By using your fingertips and pads, you can push the ball down to the court with the force of your forearm, which creates a more forceful dribble.
Secondly, using your fingertips and pads allows for better ball handling. When the ball is controlled by the fingertips and pads, it is easier to manoeuvre and make quick movements with the ball. This is because the fingertips and pads provide more agility and flexibility than the palm. It also gives you more control over the speed of your dribble.
Thirdly, using your fingertips and pads helps to protect the ball. When the ball is in your palm, it is more exposed and can be more easily taken by an opponent. By keeping the ball close to your fingertips and pads, you can more easily shield it with your body and protect it from defenders.
Finally, using your fingertips and pads allows for a greater variety of dribble types. Many dribble moves, such as the crossover, between-the-legs, and body circles, require the use of the fingertips and pads to execute effectively. These moves can be used to change directions quickly, shield the ball from defenders, and create space on the court.
To practice using your fingertips and pads, try wearing a "fingerless" glove while dribbling. This will force you to use only your fingertips and pads, and improve your control and touch with the ball. Additionally, focus on keeping your eyes up and maintaining an "athletic stance" with bent knees and feet ready to move. This will help you to feel more confident dribbling without looking down at the ball.
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Keep your head up and eyes focused on the court, not the ball
Keeping your head up and eyes focused on the court is a crucial aspect of dribbling in basketball. While it may be challenging at first, it is an essential skill to develop. Here are some tips to help a 9th grader improve their dribbling technique by focusing on this specific aspect:
Start with the Basics
When first learning to dribble, it is perfectly normal and acceptable to look at the ball. As a beginner, you should get comfortable with the basic dribbling technique. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and drop your hips back slightly as if sitting in a chair. Avoid bending at the waist, as this can be uncomfortable and cause you to stumble forward.
Practice Looking Up
The next step is to train yourself to look up and focus on the court instead of the ball. This can be challenging, but with practice, it will become second nature. Remember, during a game, you need to be aware of your teammates' and opponents' positions, and you need to keep an eye on the basket. So, get into the habit of keeping your head and gaze up.
Develop Court Awareness
A great way to improve your court awareness is to practice dribbling in response to verbal cues. For example, have someone call out different types of dribbles, and practice switching between them without stopping. This will help you become more comfortable with dribbling techniques while also training you to listen and react to what's happening on the court.
Shield the Ball
While dribbling, it is important to keep the ball protected from defenders. Use your body and your non-dribbling arm to shield the ball. Keep your body between the defender and the ball, and never dribble on the same side of your body as the defender. This will give you more control and make it harder for the defence to intercept.
Practice with Balloons
A fun and effective way to improve your dribbling and court awareness is to incorporate balloons into your drills. Try tapping a balloon up with your non-dribbling hand while also focusing on keeping your head up and maintaining a dribble. This will help you develop better court vision and improve your hand-eye coordination.
Remember, dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and keeping your head up and eyes on the court will give you more opportunities to work with your teammates and score points. So, keep practicing, and soon enough, it will all become second nature!
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Protect the basketball from defenders using your arm and body
Protecting the basketball from defenders is a crucial skill for any basketball player. Here are some detailed tips to teach a 9th grader on how to use their arms and body to achieve this:
The Arm Bar Technique
A great way to protect the ball is to use the arm bar technique. This involves extending your forearm to create a shield between you and any defenders. It's like having a barrier that prevents defenders from getting too close and gives you more control over your body movement. Imagine it like learning to drive a stick shift—tricky at first, but rewarding when mastered. However, be cautious as using your hand, elbow, or forearm as a shield is not always considered legal. It's a foul if used offensively against defenders, so make sure you only use it to protect the ball and not to impede their progress.
Using the Entire Arm
Many novice players tend to dribble with just their wrist, resulting in a weak dribble. Teach your 9th grader to use their entire arm when dribbling. This means utilizing the strength of their elbow and shoulder to generate a more forceful dribble that stays under their control. This way, they can protect the ball better and have more options for manoeuvring around defenders.
Body Positioning
Instruct your student to position their body between the defender and the ball. This simple tactic can create a natural barrier, making it harder for defenders to reach for the ball. Encourage them to be aware of their body positioning at all times and to use their body as a tool to shield the ball when necessary.
Practice Drills
To improve their ball protection skills, set up drills where the player must dribble while responding to verbal cues. Call out different types of dribbles for them to switch to immediately, ensuring they use both hands. This will help them develop the ability to change dribbles quickly and protect the ball effectively.
Remember, protecting the basketball is as much about strategy and body control as it is about arm placement. Teach your 9th grader these techniques, and they'll be well on their way to becoming a skilled basketball player who can confidently protect the ball from defenders.
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Practice dribbling drills to improve technique and speed
Dribbling is a crucial technique to master in basketball. Here are some dribbling drills that can help improve a 9th grader's technique and speed:
The Figure 8 Drill
This drill helps improve coordination and agility. Start with your feet spread apart and the ball in your right hand. Then, dribble the ball through your legs to your left hand and immediately dribble it back to your right hand. Repeat this process several times to improve your ball handling and coordination.
The Cone Drill
Set up several cones in different spots on the court. Start with a basketball and dribble to each cone, making moves such as a crossover, between the legs, or a behind-the-back dribble. This drill helps improve your ability to navigate defenders and change directions at different speeds.
The Two-Ball Dribble
This drill requires two basketballs. Start at the baseline with a ball in each hand and dribble both balls to the near free-throw line, then back to the baseline. Repeat this process, dribbling to the half-court line, the far free-throw line, and finally, baseline to baseline. This drill improves ball handling and endurance.
The Partner Drill
This drill requires a partner and three basketballs. Start by dribbling two basketballs. Pass the ball in your left hand to your partner, and then dribble the ball in your right hand to your left hand. Your partner will then throw you a ball, and you'll dribble it with your right hand. Continue repeating this process, improving your crossover and ability to switch hands mid-play.
The Full-Court Dribble
This drill helps build endurance, enhance speed, and improve your ability to navigate the entire length of the court under control. Start at one end of the court and dribble to the other end, focusing on maintaining control of the ball.
When performing these drills, it is important to emphasize dribbling with eyes up, using finger pads to control the ball, and working on both the left and right hands. Additionally, it is beneficial to incorporate game-like dribbling drills that simulate what happens in a game, such as 1v1 drills, to improve dribbling skills in a competitive context.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to teach them to relax their fingers and spread them out evenly on the basketball. This increases control and prevents "slapping" at the ball.
The next step is to teach them to bend their knees and stay low to the ground. This makes the player more explosive and able to quickly attack the rim.
Players should be mindful of protecting the basketball when dribbling. This can be done by using an arm bar to hold off defenders and turning their back or shoulder towards the on-ball defender.
A common mistake is not using enough force when dribbling, which can be improved by using the entire arm and pushing the ball into the ground with force. Additionally, players may tend to look down at the ball, so it's important to encourage them to raise their eyes and see the floor.
