Helena Frye
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and even the pros had to start somewhere. It requires a lot of practice to master, but there are some key techniques that can help beginners improve their dribbling skills. These include getting into a low, defensive stance, dribbling with your fingertips, and keeping your eyes up to maintain control of your body and the ball. Drills are a great way to improve your dribbling skills, and there are many resources available online, including on YouTube and Instagram, that can help you develop your skills and confidence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stance | Low, defensive stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and hips dropped back |
| Hand Position | Hold the ball with your fingertips, keeping your hand on top of the ball as it bounces |
| Ball Position | Keep the ball in front of your body and low to the ground for faster dribbling |
| Drills | Forward/backward drill: take baby steps while dribbling back and forth over a line; practice with both hands |
| Practice | Get into games and be open to failure; practice with a friend to expose weaknesses |
| Muscle Memory | Practice dribbling with your non-dominant hand to improve muscle memory and control |
| Rules | Avoid traveling, double dribbling, and carrying the ball to prevent penalties and giving away possession |
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What You'll Learn
Dribbling stance and body positioning
Dribbling a basketball is one of the most fundamental skills in the game. It is important to learn how to dribble well and know when to dribble. A good dribbler can create opportunities for themselves and their teammates on the offensive end of the court.
To begin dribbling, get into a low stance. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and drop your hips back slightly as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your head up with eyes forward, looking at the defensive players and locating your teammates. Avoid a tall, vertical posture as this leaves the ball vulnerable to defenders and makes it easier to stumble forward.
When dribbling, the ball should be controlled with the fingertips, not the palm, and kept low to the ground. This gives you more control and makes it harder for defenders to steal the ball. Keep your body between the defender and the ball, and use your non-dribbling arm to shield the ball.
The "triple threat" stance is a versatile position taken by offensive players after receiving the ball. From this stance, the player can pass, shoot, or dribble. The ball is brought close to the body, grasped with both hands, and held at a low height with elbows out at a 90-degree angle.
When defenders are nearby, it is better to dribble the ball to the side, assuming a low, defensive stance. This makes it harder for defenders to reach for the ball.
Practicing dribbling with both hands is crucial. Drills such as the "torso twist" and "crossover" can improve dribbling skills and help players develop a feel for the basketball.
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Basic dribbling techniques
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and it takes a lot of practice to master. Here are some basic techniques to help you get started:
Hand and Finger Placement
Hold the basketball with your fingertips, keeping your hand on top of the ball. Each time it bounces back up, push it down again with your fingertips. You should also practice dribbling with both your dominant and non-dominant hands.
Body Stance and Movement
Get into a low, defensive stance by spreading your feet shoulder-width apart, bending your knees, and dropping your hips back slightly as if you're sitting in a chair. Keep your head up and shoulders square, with your eyes forward. When dribbling, move the ball back and forth from hand to hand, keeping it in front of your body and very low to the ground. This allows for a faster pace.
Dribbling in Open Court vs Near Defenders
When you're in an open court, such as moving the ball up the court after the opposing team scores, you can dribble the ball in front of you. However, when defenders are nearby, it's best to dribble the ball at your side while maintaining a low, defensive stance. This forces the defender to reach across your body to try and get the ball. Always keep your body between the defenders and the ball.
Avoid Violations
There are basic rules governing dribbling in basketball, and violating them can result in penalties. Avoid traveling, which includes moving with the ball without dribbling, taking extra steps, skipping, hopping, shuffling your feet, or moving/changing your pivot foot when stationary. Also, refrain from double dribbling (dribbling, stopping, then dribbling again) and carrying (catching the ball with one hand and continuing to dribble).
Drills and Practice
Drills are an excellent way to improve your dribbling skills. Try the forward/backward drill: pick a line and take baby steps while dribbling back and forth over that line. Focus on maintaining control of your body. You can also set up cones and try to touch as many as possible in a set time, improving your acceleration and awareness of your surroundings. Playing 1-on-1 with a friend will also help you handle the ball better and expose areas for improvement.
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Avoiding careless dribbling violations
To avoid careless dribbling violations, it is important to understand the rules and practice dribbling techniques. Here are some key tips to avoid common violations:
Double Dribbling
One of the most common violations is double dribbling. This occurs when a player dribbles, stops, and then dribbles again. To avoid this, remember that once you start dribbling, you cannot pick up the ball and dribble again. You must either pass the ball or shoot. If you end your dribble, your foot becomes the pivot foot, and you cannot lift it off the ground or move it, or you will be called for travelling.
Carrying or Palming
Another violation to avoid is carrying or palming the ball. This occurs when a player puts the palm of their hand under the ball or carries it in one hand for too long. This is similar to holding the ball and is not allowed. Make sure to use your fingertips to dribble and keep the palm facing upwards to avoid this violation.
Out of Bounds
Be mindful of your position on the court. If you are dribbling and step out of bounds, you cannot re-enter the court and continue your dribble. The ball will be awarded to the opposing team, so always be aware of your proximity to the boundary lines.
Goaltending
Goaltending is when a player interferes with a shot. It can occur when a player touches the ball above the rim, interferes with the ball on the rim, or touches the net or rim while a shot is being taken. It is important to know the timing of when you can block a shot, and when it will be called a goaltending violation.
Practicing Dribbling Techniques
To avoid violations, work on your dribbling skills. Practice dribbling with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. Do drills that focus on control, such as dribbling in baby steps, backwards, and forwards. The more you practice, the better your muscle memory and control will be, which will help you avoid violations during games.
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Dribbling to create space
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, allowing players to create space, manoeuvre around defenders, and generate scoring opportunities. Here are some tips to improve your dribbling and create more space on the court:
Practice, Practice, Practice
The first step to improving your dribbling is to simply practice as much as possible. Dribbling is a skill that requires muscle memory and rhythm, which can only be developed through repetition. Get out on the court or driveway and spend time dribbling the basketball every day. Focus on your dominant hand first, but also dedicate time to improving your non-dominant hand.
Basic Dribbling Technique
Master the fundamentals of dribbling by ensuring your fingertips are the only part of your hand touching the ball. Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Bounce the ball off the ground with force and catch it with your fingertips as it bounces up, then push it back down again. When dribbling while walking, coordinate your steps so that one foot hits the ground with each bounce of the ball. Keep the ball close to your body, about 3 inches away, and low to the ground as you move.
Drills and Exercises
Incorporate specific drills and exercises into your practice routine to improve your dribbling and create space. Try the forward/backward drill: pick a line and take small steps while dribbling back and forth over that line. Focus on maintaining control of your body and the ball. You can also play one-on-one with a friend, which will force you to handle the ball continuously and expose areas for improvement, such as favouring one direction over another.
Vary Your Speed and Direction
Creating space is about more than just dribbling; it's also about using changes in speed and direction to evade defenders. Practice accelerating and decelerating with the ball, and work on dribbling with both your dominant and non-dominant hands to improve your manoeuvrability. This will make you less predictable to defenders and give you more options for creating space.
Remember, dribbling is an essential skill in basketball that takes time and dedication to master. By practising regularly and incorporating drills and exercises into your routine, you'll improve your ball-handling, create more space on the court, and become a more effective player.
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Dribbling warm-up exercises
Warm-up exercises are an essential part of basketball training, as they prepare players' bodies for the intensity of practice and games. They help loosen up the whole body, raise the heart rate, and prevent injuries. Here are some dribbling warm-up exercises to incorporate into your basketball training:
Figure 8:
Get into a good stance, maintaining a level and balanced posture. Keep your core tight, sit down, eyes up, and weave the basketball in a figure-8 motion in and out of your legs. Ensure the ball doesn't touch the ground.
Power Dribble:
This time, the ball can touch the ground. Push the ball into the ground as hard as you can, keeping your hand on top of it. Don't let the ball go above your head or shoulder area to maintain control.
Soft Dribble:
Do the opposite of the power dribble—dribble as softly as possible, so that you can hear pins drop.
Spider Dribble:
Start in a comfortable position, not standing straight up. Begin dribbling the basketball in front of your body, using only your right hand, then switch to your left. Alternate hands, moving the ball behind and in front of your body. Keep your elbows in, and don't let the ball get too far in front of you.
Full Court Dribbling:
Dribble the basketball with your right hand down and back, then switch to your left hand.
Cone Drills:
Set up cones to create a course. Dribble the basketball through the cones, focusing on quick dribbling and chopping your feet. This wakes up your nervous system, making you more alert and ready to react quickly. Adjust the distance between cones to change the difficulty level.
Dribble and Pivot:
Dribble the basketball and incorporate jump stops and pivots. Start slowly and gradually increase the pace.
Dribble Around Legs:
Maintain good posture, with eyes up. Dribble the basketball around your legs, keeping the dribble low. Take the ball around your leg in 3-4 dribbles, then bring it back up to the front of your body and repeat.
Remember, it's important to have a consistent pre-game or pre-practice warm-up routine that includes dribbling exercises to improve ball handling and overall performance on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Hold the basketball with your fingertips and keep your hand on top of the ball. Bounce the ball off the ground firmly and continue pushing it down every time it makes contact with your fingertips.
Get in a low, defensive stance. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees and drop your hips back slightly. Keep your head up and shoulders square.
One drill involves picking a line and taking baby steps while dribbling back and forth over the line. This forces you to maintain control of your body while dribbling. Another drill involves setting up a grid of 7-10 cones and touching as many cones as possible in a set time while dribbling.
Avoid travelling, double dribbling, and carrying the ball. Travelling includes moving with the ball without dribbling, taking an extra step, skipping, hopping, or shuffling your feet. Double dribbling refers to dribbling with both hands simultaneously or dribbling, stopping, and then dribbling again. Carrying involves catching the ball with one hand and then continuing to dribble without stopping the dribbling motion.
