Learning to dribble is one of the most important skills a basketball player can learn. While the point guard will do the most dribbling on the team, all players have to know how to handle the ball or else they will be a liability for their team. Coaches of young players can help them learn to dribble by giving them dribbling games to play.
Cone Relay Drill
Divide your team up in half. Set up a series of cones up past the half court line about 3 feet apart. On your whistle, the first player from each team dribbles in a serpentine fashion around the cones, going to the right of the first one, the left of the second one and continuing in that manner. When he gets to the end, he dribbles back to the starting point at half court and the next teammate does the same thing. The first team to complete the drill with all players dribbling around the cones wins the relay. This improves ball-handling and confidence.
Two-Ball Dribble
This will help all players learn how to dribble the ball with both hands. Give your players two basketballs. Have them start out at the far baseline. On your whistle, the player will dribble the ball in his dominant hand. As soon as that ball hits the floor, he will dribble the ball in his opposite hand. The idea is for the player to walk to half court while maintaining both dribbles. As the players get more confidence, you can time them and turn it into a race.
Baskeball Baselines
This is a crucial drill when it comes to maintaining speed while dribbling. Have your players line up at the baseline. Have them run to the near free-throw line while dribbling and return to the baseline. Then have them run to the midcourt line while dribbling and return to the baseline. Let players do this at the start of practice for the first week. At the start of week two, have them continue to dribble to the far free throw line and return, and then to the far baseline. This will teach players to dribble with confidence while moving quickly. Time your players to let them know their practice, and declare the fastest player the winner of this game.
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