Purpose: To practice ball-handling, controlling, and protecting the basketball on the dribble. Also helps to develop vision and reaction. This is a fun youth basketball drill but can be used at any age (older kids will have fun because they probably played this when young). It's a fun way to end practice and also a great drill for camp situations. Drill: Place half the team inside the three-point area at one end of the court and half at the other end. Each player has a basketball. The … [Read more...]

Purpose: To work on making a dribble move past a 'live' defender. This is a necessary game skill, yet we most often practice this either individually or utilizing a chair or cone as a defender. Why not practice how we play in a game? Drill: 2 lines. 1 offensive line at the top and 1 defensive line under the basket. The first defender begins in the lane while the first offensive player begins with a basketball outside the three-point line. The shaded area is being used to show an area you can … [Read more...]

Purpose: To teach basketball players to dribble with either hand to develop hand-eye coordination. Also develops ballhandling skills through competition. Drill: Divide the team into equal squads. You may only have 2 squads or you may have more...it all depends on the number of players you want per squad. 2 basketballs are needed for each squad. Each squad should station themselves with half of their players on each baseline; lines across from each other. Each player at the front of the line … [Read more...]

Purpose: To work on dribbling with the head up to see the entire court and finding the open player to pass the basketball. Drill: Split the team so that 4-6 players take a spot somewhere in the far half court and the remaining players begin at the baseline. 3 cones are needed just beyond the three-point line as shown. The coach or manager stands near the free throw line. The first player on the baseline dribbles to either the left, middle, or right cone as the coach calls which to dribble at. … [Read more...]

Purpose: To teach the offensive players to protect the basketball and keep it from getting stolen. Also teaches defensive players to be quick in attempting to steal the ball from the offensive player. Drill: Five players start on the baseline and 4 basketballs are placed on the free throw line. On command, the players run to get a basketball. The player without a ball must try to steal one from another player. The four players with a ball must stay in the front court. Run drill for :30 seconds … [Read more...]

Purpose: To teach the dribbler to protect the ball when he is pressured. Part of being a good ballhandler is having the ability to control the dribble while pressured. This is evident when defenses throw double teams at you or even in end game situations where you are attempting to run out the clock. Drill: Place two lines under the basket and one line at midcourt. The first person in line at midcourt starts dribbling. As he crosses the center line, he is met by the first two players from the … [Read more...]

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...]