Purpose: To practice dribbling fundamentals and skills. Can also be a good pre-practice warmup. Drill: The players will line up at position 1. You should have about 4-5 basketballs but, ideally, one per player. The first player in line begins by performing a stationary, protective dribble. He will begin dribbling forward when the coach says 'go'. Wherever a number is located on the diagram, the players will execute the following dribbles (feel free to incorporate your own dribble moves as … [Read more...]

Purpose: To work on eight different dribble moves, as well as a few scoring/finishing moves at game speed. Drill: The players will begin in the corner facing the half-court line with the basketball in the outside hand. The series of moves should be performed at game speed and at the spots marked in the diagram. When beginning this drill, you may even choose to set up cones or markers at the spot so that the players know when and where to perform the move. The moves are as follows: … [Read more...]

Purpose: To improve ball handling and dribbling skills by working on a variety of full-court dribbling and movement skills. Drill: Perform this drill individually or with an entire team. Start on the baseline. The following are the movements to be utilized: Controlled Full Court Dribble with explosion: Perform three dribbles and explode at the free throw line / halfcourt / free throw line. Jump stop at opposite baseline, switch to left hand, and repeat going back down the court. You may also … [Read more...]

Purpose: To improve the speed dribble and to learn to protect the basketball while dribbling under control. Also develops ability to react. Drill: The players line up on a baseline as shown, each with a basketball and facing a coach. On the first command (coach will say 'go' or blow a whistle), the players will speed dribble straight ahead. On the second command (coach may say 'stop' or blow the whistle again), the players will stop and dribble under control. At the next whistle, they will … [Read more...]

Purpose: To improve dribbling skills. The cones, or obstacles, act as defenders and are used to force the dribbler to make a crossover move. Drill: One one side of the court, set up about 6-8 cones in a straight line (the cones will be approximately 6-10 feet apart). The team will line up at one end of the court as shown, each with a basketball. The first player will begin by dribbling with the right hand to the first cone. As he gets to the cone, perform a crossover dribble, moving the ball … [Read more...]

Purpose: To develop the habit of keeping the head up when dribbling a basketball. Also reinforces the concept of 'seeing the entire court'. Drill: Players will form four to five lines on a baseline, as shown. A coach stands beyond the three-point line extending an arm high above his head, holding up a certain number of fingers. The players begin to dribble up the court, keeping their heads up so they can see the coach's hand. The players must call out the number of fingers the coach is holding … [Read more...]

Purpose: To improve ball handling skills by working on quickness, agility, speed and hand/eye coordination. Drill: These stationary ball handling drills can be performed individually or by having the entire team take part in these exercises.  Each player will need 2 basketballs in order to perform all of the drills. Around One Leg - Player spreads legs and moves the basketball around one leg as quickly as possible. After :15 seconds, change direction. When one leg is completed, perform the … [Read more...]