Kristian Ferrell
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in basketball, and players who can dribble well are often the ones having the most fun and driving the action on the court. To teach dribbling, it's important to start with the fundamentals and ensure players are using enough force when dribbling. Players should also learn to dribble with both hands and practice different types of dribbles, such as behind-the-back and v-dribbles. They should also work on their cardio and practice dribbling up and down stairs or while walking. Additionally, players should learn to protect the ball with an 'arm bar' and turn their shoulder towards the defender to prevent the ball from being stolen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand and finger position | Fingers should be relaxed and spread out evenly on the ball. The basketball should touch all the pads of the hand, but it's the fingertips that control the ball. |
| Stance | Bend knees and stay low to the ground when dribbling. This makes you more explosive and able to immediately attack the rim if a defender reaches in. |
| Force | Push the basketball into the ground with force when dribbling. Do this by extending the elbow and snapping the wrist at the bottom of the movement. |
| Head position | Look down at the ball when learning, but as players improve, they should be encouraged to raise their eyes up and see the floor. |
| Protection | Use an arm bar to protect the ball from defenders. Turning your back or shoulder towards the on-ball defender will also provide protection. |
| Drills | Practice dribbling in a small area, up and down stairs, high and low, and in a forward/backward baby-step drill. |
| Muscle memory | Practice dribbling a lot to build muscle memory. |
| Both hands | Practice with both hands to improve control and versatility. |
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What You'll Learn
Hand and finger placement
It's important to note that while the pads of the hand should touch the ball, the fingertips are what truly control it. Bending the knees and staying low to the ground is essential when dribbling, as it provides explosiveness and helps protect the ball from defenders. Players should also focus on pushing the basketball into the ground with force by extending their elbow and snapping their wrist.
Practising dribbling with both hands is vital. Many players tend to favour one hand, but using both hands improves overall control and provides more options when navigating around opponents. Stationary dribbling drills with the non-dominant hand can help improve dribbling skills and build cardio fitness.
Additionally, players should be encouraged to look up and observe the floor and their teammates, rather than focusing solely on the ball. This will help them make better passing decisions and navigate around defenders more effectively.
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Dribbling with force
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and one that players should master early on. When teaching dribbling, it's important to focus on the basics and the technique before moving on to more complex moves.
When dribbling a basketball, the player must apply force to the ball to accelerate it towards the ground. This force must be enough to overcome external forces like gravity and friction. The amount of force applied determines the height of the bounce, with more force resulting in a higher bounce.
To dribble with force, players should use their fingertips to handle the ball, bouncing it off the ground firmly but controlled. The dribble should be quick and steady, with the ball pushed down every time it makes contact with the fingertips. It's important to avoid using too much arm strength, which can tire the player out.
Players should aim to bounce the ball slightly to the side and ahead of the foot on the same side as the dribbling hand. This helps prevent the defender from stealing the ball. Bouncing the ball too lightly can make it easier for the opponent to take it away.
To increase the force of the dribble, players can bend their knees and adopt a low, defensive stance. This allows for more powerful and quicker dribbles that are harder for the defender to reach.
When teaching dribbling with force, it's important to emphasize the balance between force and control. Players should learn to regulate the amount of force they apply to the ball to maintain control while also preventing their opponent from stealing it.
In summary, dribbling with force involves applying enough force to the ball to create quick, powerful bounces that are difficult for defenders to steal. This technique requires a combination of finger dexterity, proper stance, and an understanding of force regulation.
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Protecting the ball
The "arm bar" technique is a fundamental skill to protect the ball from defenders. Extend your arm, forming a barrier that prevents defenders from reaching in and stealing the ball. Keep in mind that you should never push off with the arm bar; it is solely for deterring defenders.
Turn your back or shoulder towards the on-ball defender to create a physical barrier, making it challenging for them to reach around and tap the ball away without committing a foul. This technique helps protect the ball while you dribble.
Maintain a low stance by bending your knees. Being low to the ground gives you an advantage as you can quickly explode past your defender if they reach for the ball. It also enables you to push the ball into the ground with force during dribbling, enhancing your control.
Use both hands when dribbling. Start with your dominant hand and then switch to your non-dominant hand. This helps improve control and reduces predictability.
Keep your eyes up and scan the floor. As you become more comfortable with dribbling, it's important to look ahead instead of down at the ball. This allows you to read the defenders' positions and make better passing decisions.
By incorporating these techniques into your dribbling, you'll improve your ball protection skills and become a more effective player on the court.
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Dribbling drills
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and one that players of all ages should master. Here are some dribbling drills to help players improve their ball-handling skills and have fun at the same time.
Dribble Knockout
A fun variation of the classic game that is great for skill-building. This is a 1v1 drill, which forces the player to dribble and not pass.
Stationary Dribbling Drills
These drills are perfect for warming up and introducing new skills to beginners. They can be used at all levels and are a great way to get lots of touches in a short amount of time. However, they should not be the only type of drill used. It is important to also incorporate more dynamic drills that involve movement and defenders.
Verbal Cue Drill
Line players up on the baseline and have them advance down the court in response to your verbal cues. Every few seconds, call out a different type of dribble and have them switch to that dribble without stopping. Encourage the use of both hands, and add a "crossover" command to mix things up.
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These fun drills are suitable for players of all ages. They keep things interesting and help break up the monotony of practice.
Advanced Ball-Handling Drills
For more advanced players, challenging drills that focus on ball-handling skills can be introduced. These drills should simulate game-like situations to improve dribbling skills.
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Using both hands
When teaching basketball dribbling, it's important to focus on both hands, including the non-dominant hand. This will help players develop muscle memory and improve their dribbling skills overall. Here are some tips for teaching dribbling with both hands:
First, ensure that players are comfortable with relaxing their hands and fingers. They should spread their fingers out evenly across the basketball, allowing the ball to touch all the pads of the hand, with control maintained through the fingertips. This will increase their control over the ball.
Next, teach them the fundamentals of dribbling with both hands. This includes behind-the-back and v-dribbles. Once these basics are mastered, more complex combos can be introduced. Encourage players to practice stationary dribbling with their non-dominant hand for 20 minutes or more to build up their skills and comfort.
Additionally, a forward-backward drill can be very effective. Players take baby steps while dribbling back and forth over a line, forcing them to maintain control of their body while dribbling. This can be done with both hands to improve overall coordination and control.
Another drill involves having players line up on the baseline and advance down the court in response to verbal cues. Call out different types of dribbles, such as "crossover," and have them switch immediately without stopping. This will help players develop quick reflexes and adaptability.
Remember, it's important to start with the fundamentals and ensure players have the correct technique before moving on to more complex moves. Practicing with both hands will help players improve their dribbling skills and become more versatile on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to relax the fingers and spread them out evenly across the basketball. Young kids tend to keep their fingers together, but spreading them out increases control.
One drill is to have players line up on the baseline and advance down the court in response to different verbal cues for types of dribble. This gets players used to switching up their dribble. Another drill is to do baby steps while dribbling back and forth over a line, forcing players to maintain control.
One common mistake is not dribbling with enough force. While it is important to dribble with your head up, this is only useful if you have enough force to maintain your dribble. Another mistake is not bending the knees and staying low to the ground, which makes you less explosive.
Turning your back or shoulder towards the defender will make it harder for them to reach around and tap the ball away. Players should also be encouraged to raise their eyes and look at the floor, so they can read the defenders and make the right passing decisions.
