Dribbling the basketball is an important skill to master.The best players are those who can utilize both hands when dribbling the ball. Have players practice dribbling skills to become more comfortable using both their dominant and non-dominant hand, as well as maintaining and improving already skilled dribblers. There are many different drills related to dribbling. Here are a few that are basic and a little fun.

Dribble Lines:

This is a great drill to introduce players to new things without overwhelming them. It is also great to practice the simple and basic techniques of dribbling. For this drill, line up your players along the baseline in two or three rows or seven or eight columns depending on how many players there are. You can have your player do each dribble to half court or full court.

Each time you want your players to start the dribble, blow a whistle or say go. Some examples of dribble movements players can be instructed to do are right hand up, left hand down, crossover, behind-the-back, between-the-legs, dribble low, and dribbling backwards.

Make sure players keep their heads up while dribble and follow all the rules of how to dribble a basketball.

Dribble Knockout:

This drill is a great way for players to practice dribbling and ball-handling, as well as protecting the ball. Players will dribble a ball in a designated area trying to knock other player’s balls out of their hands while protecting their own basketball.

The drill begins by the coach setting up a designated area for players to dribble around. Players then begin to dribble is this area only while trying to know each other’s basketballs away. As more players are knocked out, the coach should stop the drill and shrink the dribbling area. This continues until there is a winner.

Be sure to keep your head up while dribbling. If someone fouls, travels, or double dribbles, he/she is out. Have some other skill drill going for the players who are out while the drill is still going. This is a great time for players to practice fouls shots.