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...

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 moreit all depends on the number of players you want per squad. 2 basketballs are needed for each...

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...

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...

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:...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...