Andrew Pace
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball that allows players to move the ball down the court, evade defenders, and create scoring opportunities. It involves bouncing the ball on the floor continuously with one hand at a time, with the wrist pushing the ball and the forearm moving up and down. The dribbler should have their head up and eyes forward to survey the court and maintain control of the ball. A successful dribble will bring the ball past defenders legally and create opportunities to score, while a poorly executed dribble may result in the loss of possession.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Dribbling is the act of bouncing the ball on the floor continuously with one hand at a time |
| Purpose | Allows players to move the ball down the court, evade defenders, and create scoring opportunities |
| Body Mechanics | The wrist should be pushing the basketball, and the forearm should be moving up and down. The elbow should be extended as much as possible. |
| Ball Mechanics | Skilled ball handlers bounce the ball low to the ground, reducing the risk of a defender reaching in to steal the ball. |
| Variations | Adept dribblers can dribble behind their backs, between their legs, and change the speed of the dribble. |
| Rules | The player must dribble before the pivot foot is raised off the floor. If the player raises their pivot foot off the floor, they must pass or attempt a field goal before the foot is returned to the floor. |
| Team Possession | A team is in possession when a player is holding, dribbling, or passing the ball. Team possession ends when the defensive team gains possession or the ball hits the rim of the offensive team. |
| Ball Possession | An offensive player can walk or run anywhere within the backcourt and/or frontcourt as long as they stay within the boundary lines of the court and continue to dribble without holding the ball. |
| Vision | The offensive player should have their head up and eyes forward while dribbling to survey the court and spot teammates and defenders. |
| Control | Dribbling requires consistent control of the ball, which can be achieved by using the finger pads of the hand and snapping the wrist with a flexible bend. |
| Loss of Control | If a player loses control of the ball while dribbling, it is considered a fumble. The player is allowed to regain control of the ball without it being considered a violation. |
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What You'll Learn
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball
Dribbling is an essential skill for any basketball player, as it enables them to manoeuvre the ball while moving in a given direction and avoiding defenders' attempts to intercept. It creates space in tight situations and opens up options to pass, shoot, or drive with the ball. The ability to dribble effectively can make a player very difficult to defend.
To initiate a dribble, a player with control of the ball must throw, tap, roll, or bounce it on the floor, causing it to touch the floor before touching another player. This action must be performed before the player takes any steps with their pivot foot off the floor, or else it will result in a travelling violation. Once a dribble is initiated, there is no limit to the number of steps a player can take as long as the ball is not in contact with their hand.
Dribbling requires good ball control to avoid losing possession to the opposing team. If a player loses control of the dribble and the ball bounces above shoulder height, they can regain control and continue dribbling without penalty. However, if the ball is intercepted or tackled by a defender, it can result in a turnover. Therefore, dribbling must be practised and mastered to be used effectively in a game.
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How to dribble
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball that involves moving the ball around the court with control. It allows players to move the ball down the court, evade defenders, and create scoring opportunities. In basketball, dribbling is the act of bouncing the ball on the floor continuously with one hand at a time.
To dribble a basketball, the wrist should be pushing the basketball, and the forearm should be moving up and down. Skilled ball handlers keep the ball low to the ground, reducing the risk of a defender stealing the ball. When dribbling, it is important to keep the ball just below your waist and beside your back foot. This will prevent smaller players from digging the ball and stealing it from you.
To improve your dribbling skills, it is important to practice regularly and consistently. You can find drills on YouTube that you can practice on your own, or you can work on a forward/backward drill by picking a line and taking baby steps while dribbling. You can also play 1-on-1 with a friend, which will force you to handle the ball the whole time and expose any weaknesses you may have.
It is also important to be comfortable with the ball and to be able to control it with your wrists and fingertips. You can train your wrists for the movement of dribbling by dribbling against a wall.
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Losing control of the ball
A player who loses control of the ball while dribbling may also commit a violation. For example, if the ball bounces up above shoulder height and is then regained, this is considered a "carry" or "double dribble". Another example is travelling, which occurs when a player takes steps with the ball without dribbling or attempts to dribble after the pivot foot is raised off the floor.
To maintain control of the ball while dribbling, players should keep their head up and eyes forward to survey the court. They should also use the finger pads of the hand and snap the wrist to give the ball velocity and control. Skilled dribblers bounce the ball low to the ground, reducing the risk of a defender stealing the ball.
If a player loses control of the ball and it becomes loose, they may recover it. However, if they use their pivot foot to recover the ball, they must then pass or shoot it.
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Pivoting
Establishing a Pivot Foot
When a player catches the ball or ends a dribble, they can establish a pivot foot. If both feet are off the ground and the player lands on both feet simultaneously, either foot can be the pivot foot. If the player lands on one foot first, that foot becomes the pivot foot. The player can also jump off one foot and land on both feet simultaneously, but in this case, neither foot is considered the pivot foot.
Movement After Establishing a Pivot Foot
Once a pivot foot is established, the player can move their other foot as many times as they want. However, if the player lifts their pivot foot off the floor, they must pass, shoot, or call a timeout before the pivot foot touches the floor again. If the player drops the ball while in the air, they cannot be the first to touch it.
Rules Variations Across Leagues
It's important to note that pivot foot rules may vary slightly across different basketball leagues. For example, in the NBA, a player can jump off their pivot foot and land on the other foot without committing a travelling violation. However, FIBA rules explicitly prohibit this move.
Relation to Travelling Violations
Strategy and Benefits of Pivoting
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Illegal dribble violations
Dribbling is an essential skill in basketball, allowing players to move with the ball, evade defenders, and create scoring opportunities. However, several rules govern dribbling, and violating these rules results in an illegal dribble violation. Here are some key points about illegal dribble violations in basketball:
Double Dribble
One of the most common illegal dribble violations is the double dribble. A double dribble occurs when a player dribbles a second time after voluntarily ending their first dribble. In other words, once a player starts dribbling, they cannot stop and then start dribbling again. This is considered a violation because it gives the dribbler an unfair advantage in terms of ball control and can disrupt the flow of the game.
Carrying or Palming
Carrying, also known as palming, is another type of illegal dribble violation. It occurs when a player places the palm of their hand under the ball while dribbling, essentially carrying the ball in their hand instead of bouncing it off the floor. This violation is similar to a double dribble in that it provides the player with an additional point of contact with the ball, giving them more control and an advantage over defenders.
Travelling
Travelling is a violation that often occurs in conjunction with dribbling. It happens when a player takes more steps with the ball than allowed by the rules. For example, after ending a dribble, a player may not touch the floor consecutively with the same foot, as this is considered travelling. Additionally, if a player wishes to dribble after coming to a stop, they must dribble before lifting their pivot foot off the floor; failing to do so is also considered travelling.
Violation Penalties
The penalty for an illegal dribble violation varies depending on the league and specific ruleset being used. Under NCAA, NFHS, and FIBA rules, the ball is typically awarded to the opposing team out of bounds nearest the point of violation. On the other hand, NBA rules state that the ball is given to the opposing team at the nearest spot but no closer to the end line than the free-throw line extended. These penalties reinforce the importance of adhering to dribbling rules and help maintain fair play during a basketball game.
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Frequently asked questions
Dribbling is the act of bouncing the ball continuously on the floor with one hand at a time. It allows players to move the ball down the court, evade defenders, and create scoring opportunities.
The wrist should be pushing the basketball, with the forearm moving up and down. Skilled dribblers bounce the ball low to the ground, reducing the risk of a defender stealing the ball. They can also dribble behind their backs, between their legs, and change the speed of the dribble to make themselves harder to defend.
If a player loses control of the ball while dribbling, it is considered fumbling. The player is allowed to regain control of the ball, and their dribble will continue. However, if the ball bounces above shoulder height and is then regained, this is considered a violation, and the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
Carrying is a violation that occurs when a player places their hand palm-up under the ball while dribbling. This is different from dribbling, where the ball is bounced on the floor with the finger pads of the hand.
Yes, a player can pivot while dribbling, but they must release the ball from their hand before lifting their pivot foot off the floor. If they do not, it is considered a traveling violation.
