DRIBBLING

Dribbling is the legal method of advancing the ball by oneself, as opposed passing it to another player or
shooting for the basket. It consists of bouncing the ball on the floor continuously with one hand while walking or running
down the court.

The dribble allows for much faster advancement and thus more opportunities for scoring. also provides an
opportunity for a crafty player on the opposing team to "steal" the ball in mid-bounce. Once a player stops dribbling the
ball and holds it, the player normally must either pass it to another player or take a shot; if the player dribbles and then
holds the ball in any way (either grasping it with his hands or arms, or "palming" it, i.e. holding it too much toward its
underside during the act of dribbling) then continues to dribble, then the referee stops the play, signals either "double
dribble" or "carrying", and turns the ball over to the other team. A "double dribble" may also be called if the player tries
to dribble with both hands at the same time (en. Wikipedia.org).

You may dribble:

1. To advance the ball up the court

2. To drive the to the hoop

3. To get open for a shot

4. To open up a passing lane, to have a better chance of completing a pass.

5. To get out of a trap

6. To kill the clock at the end of a game.

Dribbling
How to Dribble
Dribbling should be done with finger pads and the fingers should be relaxed and spread, the wrist should be pushing the
basketball, and the forearm should be moving up and down. Skilled ball handlers bounce the ball lower to the ground,
reducing the risk of a defender reaching in to steal the ball.

Use your fingertips, not the palms of your hands.. Basketball is played on the tips of your fingers and the balls of your
feet. Use your forearm and wrist to bounce the ball. Don't look at the ball. Rather keep your head up and eyes forward.
You must learn to use either hand. So doing drills, always work both hands.

BASIC TYPES OF DRIBBLING

High Dribble

A high dribble is a normal dribble, usually used when there are no defenders around you to steal the ball.

Low Dribble

In low dribble, the player keeps the ball low to the floor, thus decreasing the area between the hand and the floor,
making it more difficult to steal.
Speed Dribble

Speed dribble is dribbling the ball faster than usual while achieving some distance in the court. It is used to advance the
ball quickly up the floor, against little or no defensive pressure. The dribblers hand should be behind the ball pushing it
in front, then running to catch up. This prevents a "palming" or "carrying over" violation. The speed dribble in the open
floor can be a little higher than other dribbles. Control dribble moves should be around the knee, but a speed dribble
can be waist high.

Crossover 'Switch' Dribble

Simply, the crossover dribble to switch dribbling from one hand to the other, by bouncing the ball in front of you across
to the other side. Then the other hand pick up the ball and dribbling with the opposite hand. You can use this dribble to
quickly change direction on the court. For example, you could be on the point, dribbling with your right hand to the right
wing, then suddenly crossover the dribble to the left and drive up the lane.

Basketball Dribbling Drills - Stationary Drill

(From the Coach's Clipboard Basketball Playbook http://www.coachesclipboard.net)

Youth teams should do these stationary drills at the start of each practice, all season long. We usually precede these
drills with our ball-handling drills. Do each of these drills for 30-60 seconds and move on so you can get through them
rather quickly. Daily repetition will make the difference. Players can do these drills at home too, and in the off-season.

At practice, you can have one of our better dribblers lead the drill at center court. The team spreads out in a circle
around the leader who performs the various dribbling drills, while the other players follow his/her lead.

(See the video clips @ http://www.coachesclipboard.net of all these drills.)

Drill #1 Up and Downs - Pound Dribble

Start by dribbling the ball in front of you so that the ball reaches your waist high. Gradually, bounce the ball harder and
harder until you are dribbling the ball as high as you can without jumping. Then gradually dribble the ball lower and
lower until you are on one knee, finishing as close to the floor as possible. Pound the ball quickly to keep it going. Then
do it with the other hand.

Skills Assessment Guidelines

COMPETENCY LEVEL
13-15 completed cycle for left and right hand in 60 seconds Proficient
10-12 completed cycle for left and right hand in 60 seconds Approaching, Proficiency

7-9 completed cycle for left and right hand in 60 seconds Beginning Proficiency

Drill #2 Kills
Dribble the ball waist high, then suddenly stops it by dribbling it as low. as you can, hold this for a few
seconds, then bring it back up to waist high. Do this several times with each hand,
Skills Assessment Guidelines

COMPETENCY LEVEL
 8-10 completed cycle for left and right hand in 30 seconds Proficient
5-7 completed cycle for left and right hand in 30 seconds Approaching Proficiency
2-4 completed cycle for left and right hand in 30 seconds Beginning Proficiency

Drill # 3 Circle Dribbles

This drill is similar to "Circles", except now the ball is dribbled. Extend the left leg forward and dribble the ball
low around the leg in a circular fashion. Then do it around the right leg. After doing each leg, then try the
"Figure 8" dribble.

COMPETENCY LEVEL
8-10 completed cycle for left and right hand in 30 seconds Proficient
5-10 completed cycle for left and right hand in 30 seconds Approaching Proficiency
2-4 completed cycle for left and right hand in 30 seconds Beginning Proficiency

Skills Assessment Guidelines

Suggested Drills
Drill # 4 Figure Eight

This drill is similar to the ball-handling figure eights drill except now the ball is dribbled through your legs in a
figure-of-eight motion. Use both hands and be sure to look up while doing this drill.

Drill # 5 Back and Forth Under the Legs

Get crouched over with your right knee and leg forward. V-dribble the ball behind the extended leg. Repeat
behind the other leg.
Drill #6 Back and Forth Under the Leg Dribble
Dribble with your right hand. Bounce the ball once on the right side, then cross the ball over in front of you by
bouncing it to the left. The left hand now bounces it on the left once, and then crossover back to the right,
where the right takes over again. Repeat this procedure. Make the cross-over low and quick.
Drill #7 V-Dribble in Front
Start with the right hand and dribble once on the right side. Then dribble the ball in front you, as if you were
going to cross over to the left side. Instead of getting it with your left hand, roll your right hand over the top of
the ball, and bring it back to the right. Keep dribbling like this: right then cross over V- dribble. Shown here
with the left hand, also practice it with the right hand. Getting the feel of rolling your hand over the top of the
ball with this drill will help you with your "in-and-out" dribble move.
Drill #8 Side V-Dribble
Now do the v-dribble on the side... the "push-pull" dribble. Do both left and right hands.