Basketball Drills: Dribble Moves

If you are interested in seeing all of the basketball drills that we have on our site, we have indexed them here: Basketball Drills (Click on the Dribbling Tab)

We have a series of basketball drills to work on these moves. Halfcourt dribbling is a drill that can be done using either one or two basketballs that provides opportunities to practice all of the dribble moves that you can within a minute. They are both a part of our basketball videos. Click here for a challenging dribbling drill with one basketball that does a lot to improve your skills in a short amount of time if you go hard at it. Click here for the same halfcourt dribbling drill using two basketballs.

For this series of ball handling basketball drills place three chairs in a line. Place one at the top of each key and one at half court. If practicing with an entire team, make three lines of chairs. Players will begin at one end of the floor. They will dribble hard to each chair and then make one of the following ball handling moves. The players should go around the chair in a low position. They should make a long stride with their inside leg (the one closest to the chair) and step closely to the chair. Once the player has stepped around the chair it is important for them to get back in line with the chair. For example if the move was made going to the right, the players should move back to the left once they have moved past the chair. This move will ensure that the defender as been sealed off. The player can now accelerate towards the next chair. The chairs can be arranged so that after completing the final ball handling move, the players can drive to the basket for a lay-up. Remind the players that their eyes should be up and looking at the basket.

Hesitation

Have the player accelerate towards the first chair. As the player nears the chair, have the players slow down, stay low, give a hard stutter fake with their feet and then accelerate around the chair closely. It is important that there be an obvious change of speed. This ball handling move will be made at each chair. Repeat using the left hand.

Cross-over

As the players accelerate towards the chair the will slow down and move the ball powerfully and quickly to other hand. The ball should be kept low and the players should remain in a low athletic stance. We like to have the players try and receive the cross over dribble at a height lower than the seat of the chair. Once the player has received the ball in the other hand, they should accelerate around the chair in the fashion described above.

Fake Cross Over

In the ball handling drill we ask the players to dribble hard to the chair, hesitate slightly and then execute and push pull dribble. The players push the ball to middle of their stance and then pull the ball back. Again the players should stay in their stance. Repeat using the opposite hand.

Between the Legs

As the players approach the chair, have them slow down and dribble the ball under the opposite leg. When teaching the between the leg move, tell the players that if they are dribbling with their right hand the ball will be dribbled under the left leg. The ball should stay lower than the seat of the chair.

Behind the Back

As the players approach the chair they should slow down and dribble the ball behind their back and to the opposite hand. To teach this move the players should push the outside of the ball around their backside. The dribble should begin as the leg on the opposite side of the dribble begins to move forward. For example, if the player is dribbling with the right hand the behind the back dribble will begin as the left leg begins to move forward.

Three Dribble Pull Back

In this ball handling drill the players dribble hard to the chair and stop. Then they quickly turn to their side back up three dribbles. The players should back up in a stance with the ball behind them. The dribbles should be low and strong. After the players have backed up you can have them execute any one of the above moves.

Combination Moves

As the players become more skilled, ask them to make two moves in succession at each chair. For example they could go behind the back and the quickly cross over. You might ask them to go between the legs and the immediately behind the back. You can use your imagination or let the players be creative. Combining the above moves results in having a variety of basketball drills.

Here is a link to all of our basketball drills: Basketball Drills