Andrew Pace
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in basketball, and it is usually the first skill a player learns. It is a key way to move the basketball, especially when passing lanes are clogged. To dribble effectively, players need to relax their fingers and spread them out evenly across the ball, bending their knees and staying low to the ground. They should also push the ball into the ground with force, using their fingertips and the pads of their hands, without looking at the ball. There are many dribbling drills that can help players improve their technique and ball handling skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand and finger placement | Fingers should be relaxed and spread out evenly across the basketball. The basketball should touch all the pads of the hand, but it is the fingertips that control the ball. |
| Body position | Players should bend their knees and stay low to the ground. This makes the player more explosive and able to attack the rim. |
| Force | The ball should be pushed into the ground with force, by extending the elbow and snapping the wrist. This prevents the ball from being easily tapped away by a defender. |
| Head position | Players should avoid staring at the ball and should keep their head up, focusing on what is happening on the court. |
| Arm position | The dribbling arm should be extended down and kept close to the side. The non-dribbling arm can be used to shield the ball from the defender, in a move known as an 'arm bar'. |
| Drills | Players can practice dribbling through chairs set up as obstacles on the court. They can also practice moving the ball between their legs and around their knees. |
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What You'll Learn
Hand and finger placement
Young players often struggle with dribbling because they keep their fingers together, resulting in a "'claw' shape" that doesn't provide enough control. It's important to teach them to relax their hands and fingers, as stiff hands and fingers can lead to "slapping" at the ball. Some coaches even advise that the basketball should never touch the palm of the dribbler's hand.
The dribbler's palm should be kept over the ball, and the elbow of the dribbling hand should be kept close to the side. This helps to shorten the distance the ball has to travel and keeps it close to the body. Players should also bend their knees and stay low to the ground when dribbling, as this provides explosiveness and protects the ball from defenders.
Additionally, players should push the basketball into the ground with force when dribbling. This is achieved by extending the elbow and snapping the wrist at the bottom of the movement.
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Dribbling with force
Dribbling is often the first skill a player learns in basketball. It is also one of the most important skills to master, as it allows players to get places on the court, get more shots, and drive the action.
When teaching dribbling, it is important to start with the basics and focus on technique before moving on to more complex moves. One of the most common issues young players face when dribbling is not using enough force, which can make it easy for defenders to steal the ball. To dribble with force, players should bend their knees and stay low to the ground, keeping the ball low as well. This makes it easier to be quick and explosive, and also makes it harder for defenders to steal the ball.
To generate force when dribbling, players should push the basketball into the ground with force by extending their elbow and snapping their wrist at the bottom of the movement. The more force applied to the ball, the higher the bounce, and the harder it is for defenders to tap the ball away. However, players should be careful not to use too much force, as this can tire out the arm. It is also important to note that the surface being dribbled on will affect the height of the bounce, with denser surfaces creating higher bounces.
A good drill to practice dribbling with force is to have players line up on the baseline and advance down the court in response to different verbal cues for types of dribbles. This helps players improve their dribbling technique while also experiencing success and having fun.
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Protecting the ball
The Arm Bar Technique
The arm bar is a crucial technique for protecting the ball. It involves holding your arm out to create a barrier that prevents defenders from reaching in and attempting to steal the ball. This technique is especially useful when defenders are trying to close down the space around you. However, it's important to refrain from pushing off with your arm bar as it can lead to a foul.
Body Positioning
Body positioning plays a significant role in protecting the ball. Turning your back or shoulder towards the on-ball defender makes it more challenging for them to reach around your body and tap the ball away. This simple adjustment can effectively deter defenders from stealing the ball without committing a foul.
Dribbling Force and Height
Applying sufficient force when dribbling is vital for protecting the ball. A weak or soft dribble can cause the ball to spend more time in the air, making it easier for defenders to tap it away. Therefore, players should push the ball into the ground forcefully, using their fingertips and the pads of their hands. Additionally, keeping the ball low to the floor enhances protection by reducing the distance the ball has to travel and making it more accessible for your fingertips to control.
Shielding with the Forearm
Using your non-dribbling forearm as a shield is an effective way to protect the ball from defenders. Extend this forearm towards the defender to create a barrier that safeguards the ball. Be cautious not to blatantly push or shove the defender with your forearm, as this can result in a foul.
Court Awareness
While dribbling, it's essential to keep your head up and maintain court awareness. Looking over the court helps you anticipate your options and make purposeful dribbles. This awareness also enables you to identify potential defenders reaching for the ball and adjust your body positioning and dribbling accordingly to protect the ball.
Dribbling Hand and Elbow Position
The positioning of your dribbling hand and elbow is crucial for protection. Keep your dribbling hand and arm extended down, close to your side, with your elbow tucked in. This positioning shortens the distance the ball has to travel, making it easier to control and protect.
Practice Drills
To improve ball protection, set up a series of folding chairs on the court, pretending they are defensive players. Begin at one end and dribble around the chairs, changing your dribbling hand as you approach each chair. Remember to keep the ball low and close to your body. This drill helps simulate in-game situations and improves your ability to protect the ball while navigating defenders.
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Using dribbling in a game
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and players who can dribble well are usually the ones in control of the game. It is a skill that requires many hours of practice to perfect. Here are some tips and techniques for using dribbling in a game:
Protecting the Basketball
When dribbling, players must protect the basketball from defenders. If a player bounces the ball without much force, it can be easily taken by a defender. To prevent this, players can use an "arm bar" technique by holding their arm out to deter defenders from reaching for the ball. Turning their back or shoulder towards the defender can also provide protection. Additionally, players should keep the ball low to the floor and close to their body, making it harder for defenders to reach.
Using the Forearm
The forearm of the non-dribbling hand can be used to shield the ball from defenders. While being tightly guarded, players should be careful not to blatantly push or shove the defender with their forearm. Once in the open court, the focus should shift to maintaining top speed while still controlling the ball.
Head and Eye Movement
Players should avoid staring at the ball while dribbling. Instead, they should keep their head up and eyes focused on the court, scanning for options. This allows them to be aware of their teammates' positions and make effective passes or shooting opportunities.
Dribble Types and Techniques
There are various types of dribbles, such as the low dribble, which is used when closely guarded. Players should practice different dribble types to improve their versatility. They can also incorporate moves like the spin move, which helps change directions and evade defenders. Additionally, players should use both hands for dribbling and be comfortable switching between them.
Speed and Agility
Dribbling is not just about control but also speed. Players should practice speed dribbles, moving quickly down the court with the ball waist-high and far out in front of them. This helps create opportunities for lay-ups and keeps the defense on their toes.
Dribble Drills
To improve dribbling skills, players can set up a series of folding chairs on the court, pretending they are defensive players. They can then dribble around the chairs, changing their dribbling hand as they approach each chair. This drill helps improve agility, hand coordination, and control. Another drill involves moving the ball between the legs and around the knees, improving flexibility and ball handling.
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Drills to improve dribbling
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and it requires many hours of practice to master. Here are some drills that can help players improve their dribbling skills:
The Figure-8 Drill: This drill helps players learn to dribble with both hands and improve their hand-eye coordination. Set up a series of folding chairs on the basketball court, positioned as if they were defensive players. Players should then dribble around the chairs in a figure-8 pattern, changing their dribbling hand as they go. This drill teaches players to dribble with control and to protect the ball from defenders.
Speed and Agility Drill: In this drill, players work on their speed dribble and lay-up skills. They start at one end of the court and move quickly down the court with the ball held waist-high and far out in front of them. They then make a lay-up and head back up the court, repeating the speed dribble and lay-up. This drill is repeated six times, followed by 10 free throws, and then the entire sequence is repeated again.
Knee Pass Drill: This drill helps players improve their dribbling and ball handling skills. Players keep their feet shoulder-width apart and flex their knees, bending at the waist. Holding the ball in their right hand, they pass it behind their knees to the left hand, and then back to the right hand. This is repeated 20 times, and then the drill is repeated with the left hand.
Verbal Cue Drill: Players line up on the baseline and advance down the court, responding to the coach's verbal cues. Every few seconds, the coach calls out a different type of dribble, and players must immediately switch to that dribble without stopping. This drill helps players improve their dribbling skills and their ability to react quickly to changing situations.
It's important to remember that while these drills focus on dribbling, players should also be taught to keep their heads up and be aware of their surroundings on the court. Dribbling is just one aspect of the game, and players should also learn how to use dribbling in conjunction with passing and shooting to create effective offensive plays.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some drills that can be used to teach dribbling in basketball:
- Have players line up on the baseline and advance down the court while responding to your verbal cues. Call out a different type of dribble every few seconds and have them switch to that dribble without stopping.
- Have players do 20 repetitions of passing the ball from their right hand to their left hand, moving the ball between their legs and around their knees.
- Have players move quickly down the court with the ball waist-high and in front of them, make a lay-up, and then head back up the court, repeating the speed dribble and lay-up.
- Set up a series of folding chairs on the court to simulate defensive players. Have players dribble around the chairs, changing their dribbling hand as they approach each chair and keeping the ball low and close to their body.
Here are some techniques for dribbling in basketball:
- Keep the ball low to the floor and in control.
- Extend your dribbling hand and arm down to shorten the distance the ball has to travel.
- Keep your elbow close to your side and use your forearm to shield the ball from the defender.
- Look over the court and prepare your options instead of watching the ball as you dribble.
- Bend your knees and stay low to the ground to increase explosiveness.
One common mistake when teaching dribbling in basketball is not using enough force. Players need to push the ball into the ground with force when dribbling to maintain control and prevent it from being tapped away by a defender. Another mistake is looking down at the ball instead of keeping your head up and eyes focused on the court.
When teaching dribbling to young players, it's important to start with the basics and focus on skills rather than concepts. Make sure players are relaxing their hands and fingers and spreading their fingers out evenly on the ball. You can also use verbal cues and drills to help them learn the correct technique.
Dribbling is an important skill in basketball because it allows players to set up the offense when the defense is tight and the passing lanes are clogged. Players with good dribbling skills can get to more places on the court, get more shots, and drive the action.
