Basketball Dribbling Drills For Players, Parents & Coaches

Are Basketball Dribbling Drills important for every basketball player? You bet they are! Probably the most important skill needed in youth basketball is dribbling.

Think about it for a minute. Good dribbling is needed to bring the basketball down the court, start the offense, drive to the basket, run the fast back and so much more!

The only way to become a good dribbler is to practice a variety of dribbling drills.

By learning and understanding these basketball dribbling drills…

Players will be more comfortable handling and controlling the basketball. They will have more confidence in their dribbling ability.

Parents will have a better understanding of the various dribbles used in basketball. They will be able to help their child practice and succeed at these dribbling drills.

Coaches will have a more thorough understanding of the different drills used to teach dribbling. They will be able to put their players in a better position to succeed on the court.

Pointers For Basketball Dribbling Drills

Players should control the basketball with the padded part of their fingers, known as their finger pads.
Players should avoid using their palms to control the basketball.
Players should keep their fingers spread apart while dribbling.
Players should practice these basketball dribbling drills with both their right and left hand.
Players should keep their head up while dribbling.
Players should keep their non-dribbling hand up to shield the defender.
Players should practice these basketball dribbling drills on their own as much as possible.
Coaches should use basketball dribbling drills everyday in practice.

If you need to polish up on your Basketball Terms, check out our listing of over 200 terms!

Stationary Basketball Dribbling Drills

Goal – To practice getting a feel for the basketball and maintaining control while dribbling.

Equipment – Basketball court, half-court or full-court. One basketball per player, or one per pair.

Action – Players spread out on the basketball court in four lines, facing the coach. Players will be in a good basic basketball position. They will do each of the following basketball dribbling drills for 30 – 60 seconds.

Players should practice the dribbling drills with their dominant and non-dominant hand. Some important points to remember: Players should use their finger pads to control the ball. Players should keep their non-dribbling hand up to shield the defender. Players should work on keeping their head up, not on the ball.

Drills:

Control Dribble – Players start by dribbling the basketball with their dominant hand. They should work on controlling the ball, keeping their head up and keeping their non-dominant hand up to shield the defender. Players should work on this drill with each hand.
High Low Dribble – Players start by dribbling the basketball at waist level. They then dribble the ball lower and lower until they are down on one knee, maintaining a quick and controlled dribble. Players will then work their way back up to their feet and dribble back up to waist level. Players should work on this drill with each hand.
Kills – Players start by dribbling the ball at waist level. They then quickly dribble the ball as low at they can for a few seconds. Players then return to a waist level dribble and repeat. Players should work on this drill with each hand.
Crossover Dribble – Players will dribble the basketball once with their right hand on their right side. They will then cross the ball over in front of their body to their left hand. They will then dribble the basketball once with their left hand on their left side followed by the crossover dribble back to their right side.
Front V-Dribble – Players will dribble the basketball once with their right hand on their right side. They will then cross the ball over in front of their body, similar to the crossover dribble. Instead of controlling the ball with their left hand, they should then slide their right hand over the top of the ball and dribble it back to the right side. Players should work on this drill with each hand.
Side V-Dribble – Players will dribble the basketball with their right hand on the outside of their right leg. They should dribble the ball forward and backward with the v-dribble described above. Players should work on this drill with each hand.
Leg Circles – Players start with their feet shoulder-width apart. Players will dribble with their right hand around their right leg and then with their left hand around their left leg. Players will then put their feet together and use both hands to dribble around their legs. Players will then go down on their knees and use both hands to dribble around their body. Players will then bring one knee up and keep one knee down. They will dribble the ball around their body and under their leg and then switch leg positions and repeat.
Figure Eight Dribble – Players will start with their feet wider than shoulder-width. They will start with the basketball in their right hand. They will dribble the ball through and around their legs in a figure eight pattern. Players should start slowly, control the ball and increase their speed when they get more comfortable with the drill.

Full Court Basketball Dribbling Drills

Goal – To practice dribbling and controlling the basketball.

Equipment – Basketball court, full-court. One basketball per group.

Action – Players will form four lines at one of the baselines, facing the coach who is at half-court. Players will perform the following basketball dribbling drills by dribbling down the court with their right hand and back with their left hand. They will then pass to the next player in line for their turn. Players should work on controlling the basketball and keeping their head up to see the court. They can do this by focusing on the opposite basket.

Drills:

Control Dribble – Players control dribble down the court with their right hand and return with their left.
Speed Dribble – Players speed dribble down the court with their right hand and return with their left.
Change-of-pace Dribble – Players dribble down the court alternating between the speed dribble and control dribble. They should dribble down with their right hand and back with their left.
Crossover Dribble – Players will use the crossover while dribbling down the court and back in a zigzag pattern.
Reverse Dribble – Players will use the reverse move while dribbling down the court and back in a zigzag pattern.
Behind The Back Dribble – Players will use the behind the back move while dribbling down the court and back.
Between The Legs Dribble – Players will use the between the legs move while dribbling down the court and back in a zigzag pattern.
Pull Back and Crossover Dribble – Players will use the pull back and crossover move as they dribble down the court and back.

Group Basketball Dribbling Drills

1. Dribble Tag

Goal – To practice dribbling and controlling the ball in a competitive situation.

Equipment – Basketball court, half-court. One basketball per player.

Action – Players will maintain and control their dribble inside the three point area. At the same time, they will try to knock the ball away from the other players. A player is eliminated from the game if they: Loose their ball, double dribble, step out of the area or stop their dribble. As the group gets smaller, reduce the playing area to the foul lane.

2. Dribble Relays

Goal – To practice dribbling and controlling the ball in a fast, full-court situation.

Equipment – Basketball court, full-court. One basketball per group.

Action – Players will form four lines at one of the baselines, facing the coach at half court. The first person in line has the basketball. They will speed dribble to the opposite baseline and back, using their right hand down and left hand back. They will then pass the ball to their teammate for their turn. The first team to return all of their players wins the race.

A variation on this basketball dribbling drill would be to have the players dribble to the free throw line and back, then the half-court line and back, then the opposite free throw line and back, and finally the opposite baseline and back. These are great for dribbling and conditioning!

*****

I hope you found these Basketball Dribbling Drills for youth basketball to be helpful and informative. Remember – good dribbling skills are needed by all basketball players. Players that master their dribbling skills are able to improve many other areas of their game – and become an all-around basketball player.

If you need more great information on these basketball drills or other basketball topics, I would suggest you purchase some good basketball books and videos. These will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about the game of basketball.