Helena Frye
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in basketball, and players who can dribble well are often the ones in control of the game. To teach dribbling effectively, it's important to start with the basics and ensure that players have the correct technique. This includes teaching them how to position their hands and fingers properly, how to bend their knees and stay low to the ground, and how to protect the ball from defenders. Once players have mastered the fundamentals, they can start working on more advanced dribbling techniques and combos. Practicing dribbling in a small area, using different types of dribbles, and dribbling with both hands can also help improve a player's skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand and finger placement | Relax fingers and spread them evenly on the basketball. Avoid slapping at the ball by keeping hands and fingers relaxed. |
| Ball contact | The basketball should touch all pads of the hand, but it's controlled by the fingertips. |
| Body posture | Bend knees and stay low to the ground to increase explosiveness and protect the ball. |
| Force | Push the ball into the ground with force by extending the elbow and snapping the wrist. |
| Eye movement | Encourage players to look up and see the floor, rather than looking down at the ball, to read defenders and make passing decisions. |
| Protection | Use the "arm bar" technique to hold off defenders and protect the ball. Turn your back or shoulder towards the defender to make it harder for them to steal the ball. |
| Drills | Practice dribbling in a small area, performing different moves. Use drills that focus on control, such as taking baby steps while dribbling back and forth over a line. |
| Practice | Dribble a lot to develop muscle memory. Practice with both hands to improve coordination and control. |
| Purpose | Understand the purpose of dribbling: to advance the ball up the court, drive to the hoop, get open for a shot, open up a passing lane, get out of a trap, or kill the clock. |
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What You'll Learn
Relax your fingers and spread them evenly across the ball
When it comes to dribbling a basketball, one of the first things to teach is how to hold the ball. Instruct your players to relax their fingers and spread them evenly across the ball. This is important because it increases the surface area of the hand in contact with the ball, giving the player more control. Young players, in particular, need to be taught to spread their fingers out, as the natural tendency is to keep their fingers together.
Players should also be encouraged to get comfortable with relaxing their hands and fingers. Some coaches advise that the basketball should never touch the palm of the player's hand while dribbling. This is to prevent players from ''slapping' at the ball, which can occur when the hands and fingers are too stiff. However, while the fingertips control the basketball, the ball should touch all the pads of the hand.
To help players get a feel for this technique, start with a simple drill where they practice bouncing the ball with the top of their fingers. This will help them understand the importance of finger placement and relaxation. Players can also practice dribbling in a small area, focusing on maintaining control of the ball with relaxed fingers.
As they improve, introduce more advanced drills that challenge their dribbling skills, such as dribbling while taking small steps forward and backward, or dribbling while turning and changing directions. Encourage players to use both hands and to practice with their non-dominant hand to improve overall control and confidence.
By focusing on the fundamentals of finger placement and relaxation, players will develop better dribbling skills and a stronger foundation for their basketball journey.
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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 in basketball. This stance not only helps protect the ball from defenders but also provides you with greater mobility on the court. Here are some detailed instructions to help you master this fundamental skill:
Get into a Defensive Stance:
Spread your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees. Drop your hips back slightly as if you were about to sit in a chair. Keep your back straight and lean forward slightly, maintaining your balance. This stance lowers your centre of gravity, making you more agile and responsive to the ball and your opponents' movements.
Protect the Ball:
By bending your knees and staying low, you decrease the distance between your hands and the ground. This makes it easier to control the ball and protect it from defenders. The shorter and quicker the ball bounces, the harder it is for opponents to steal. Additionally, keeping a low stance helps you maintain a stable base, allowing you to change directions and move quickly while dribbling.
Control the Height of the Bounce:
When dribbling, focus on bouncing the ball at knee to thigh height. Avoid bouncing it too high, especially at waist level, as this makes it vulnerable to defenders. Practice controlling the height and force of your bounces to find the "sweet spot" that keeps the ball close to your body and away from defenders.
Maintain a Stable Stance:
While staying low, keep your head and chest lifted. Avoid bending at the waist, as this can throw off your balance. Instead, bend your knees and maintain a stable, defensive stance. This helps you stay agile and responsive while protecting the ball.
Practice Different Dribbling Techniques:
Once you're comfortable with the basic stance, you can incorporate different dribbling techniques, such as the crossover or dribbling between the legs. These techniques require you to stay low and maintain control of the ball while executing quick movements to deceive defenders. Remember to always keep your knees bent and your body low to the ground during these advanced dribbling maneuvers.
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Protect the ball with an 'arm bar'
Protecting the ball with an arm bar is a key tactic in basketball defence. It involves extending your forearm towards your opponent while maintaining contact and disrupting their shooting percentage and ball-handling abilities. This technique is particularly effective in preventing turnovers by creating a shield between you and the opponent.
However, it's important to note that using your forearm or hand to protect the ball is not always considered legal. If used offensively against a defensive player, it is considered a foul. An illegal arm bar occurs when a defensive player impedes the progress of an offensive player through excessive contact. This includes placing an extended arm bar on the player or making repeated contact with the same hand.
To execute a legal arm bar, you must extend your forearm while maintaining contact with your opponent without hindering their progress. This requires practice and a good understanding of the rules governing hand usage. For example, you can teach players to keep their hands up and arms not extended to avoid restricting the movement of the offensive player.
The arm bar is a powerful tool in basketball defence, but it must be used skillfully and within the rules to avoid penalties. When mastered, it can significantly enhance your defensive capabilities on the court.
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Use different types of dribbles
Dribbling is one of the most fundamental skills in basketball, and players should practice dribbling as often as possible, using both hands. When teaching dribbling, it's important to start with the basics and focus on the technique before moving on to more advanced moves.
One way to improve dribbling skills is to use different types of dribbles in drills and games. Here are some examples of different dribbles that can be taught and practiced:
Low Dribble
This involves dribbling with the ball as close to the ground as possible. This helps protect the ball from guards and requires the dribbler to extend their hand down to limit the space for the opponent to penetrate.
Speed Dribble
This is used when a player has an open court and wants to take advantage of time while maintaining good control. It is also useful when a player is heavily guarded, as it allows them to create some distance from their opponent.
Change of Pace Dribble
This dribble involves slowing down, which may cause the opponent to think you are stopping or passing the ball. This can be an effective way to change direction or create space.
Control Dribble
When a defender is guarding you closely, use the control dribble. Keep your body between the ball and the defender, staying low and somewhat crouched. Keep your other arm outstretched in front of you to prevent the defender from reaching around.
Hockey Dribble
This dribble involves a head and shoulder fake combination with an abrupt change of pace, diverting the defender from a close guard.
Reverse Dribble
When heavily guarded, a reverse dribble can be used to avoid the opponent from stealing the ball. However, this dribble may cause the player to lose sight of the ball for a moment.
It's important to note that while practicing these dribbles, players should also learn when and when not to dribble. Over-dribbling can kill a team's offensive motion and momentum.
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Practice, practice, practice
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and it can be improved through dedicated practice and drills. Here are some tips to enhance your dribbling skills through practice:
Muscle Memory
The key to mastering dribbling is to develop muscle memory. This means consistently practising dribbling with both hands to train your body to perform the necessary movements instinctively. Focus on dribbling with your non-dominant hand as well, as this will improve your overall control and versatility.
Basic Technique
Start by ensuring you have the correct technique. Spread your fingers evenly across the basketball, allowing the ball to touch all the pads of your hand, but use your fingertips to control it. Avoid slapping at the ball with stiff hands and fingers. Bend your knees and stay low to the ground, as this will give you more power and explosiveness.
Dribbling Drills
Engage in various dribbling drills to improve your skills. Practice dribbling at different heights, such as dribbling high and low. Try the forward/backward drill, taking baby steps while dribbling back and forth over a line. This drill helps you maintain control of your body while dribbling. Play 1-on-1 with a friend to work on your handling skills and identify any weaknesses.
Protection and Vision
Learn to protect the ball from defenders while dribbling. Use the "arm bar" technique to hold off defenders and deter them from stealing the ball. Turn your back or shoulder towards the on-ball defender to make it harder for them to reach in. As you improve, work on raising your eyes and looking at the floor instead of the ball. This will help you read defenders and make better passing decisions.
Purposeful Dribbling
Understand the purpose of dribbling in a game. There are only a few valid reasons to dribble: advancing the ball up the court, driving to the hoop, creating shooting opportunities, opening passing lanes, escaping traps, and killing clock at the end of a game. Dribbling without a clear purpose can lead to wasted opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some tips to get beginners started with dribbling:
- Relax your fingers and spread them out evenly across the basketball.
- Bend your knees and stay low to the ground when dribbling to increase explosiveness and protect the ball from defenders.
- Focus on dribbling with force to maintain control and prevent the ball from being stolen by defenders.
- Encourage beginners to look up and scan the floor instead of looking down at the ball.
- Practice different types of dribbles, such as behind-the-back and v-dribbles, using both hands.
Here are some drills that can help improve dribbling skills:
- Dribble in a small area, performing different dribbling moves.
- Line up on the baseline and advance down the court, switching between different types of dribbles on verbal cues.
- Dribble while taking baby steps forward and backward to maintain control and balance.
- Play 1-on-1 with a friend to work on handling the ball and identify areas for improvement.
- Practice stationary left-handed dribbling to improve control and cardio.
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in basketball as it enables players to advance the ball up the court, drive to the hoop, get open for shots, and create passing lanes. Players who can dribble effectively can get to more places on the court, get more shots, and drive the action. This leads to increased success and enjoyment of the game, creating a positive feedback loop that fuels further improvement.
