Student Worksheet: Dribbling Drills

Welcome to the Dribbling Drills section! Dribbling is an essential skill in basketball that requires practice and precision. In this worksheet, you will work through a series of dribbling drills to improve your technique and control on the court.

Drill Examples:

• Drill 1: Stationary Dribble - Stand in place and dribble the ball with your dominant hand. Focus on keeping your eyes up and dribbling with control.
• Drill 2: Figure 8 Dribble - Dribble the ball in a figure 8 pattern around your legs. Alternate between your dominant and non-dominant hands for a challenge.
• Drill 3: Crossover Dribble - Practice dribbling the ball from one hand to the other in a quick, crossover motion. Keep the ball low to the ground.
• Drill 4: Speed Dribble - Dribble the ball as fast as you can in a straight line. Focus on maintaining control and speed throughout the drill.
• Drill 5: Around the World Dribble - Dribble the ball in a circular motion around your body, moving from your waist to your shoulders. Switch directions for an added challenge.
• Drill 6: Dribble Relay Race - Set up a course with cones or markers. Dribble the ball through the course as quickly as possible, passing it off to a teammate at the end.

Real World Problems:

• Problem 1: You are in a game situation and need to dribble past a defender to make a shot. Which dribbling technique would be most effective in this scenario?
• Problem 2: Your team is down by 2 points with 30 seconds left on the clock. How can you use your dribbling skills to create an opportunity for a game-winning shot?

Answers:

1. Crossover Dribble

2. Utilize speed dribble to quickly advance the ball and create scoring opportunities.

1. Problem 1: How many types of dribbling techniques can you name in basketball?
• Answer: There are four main types of dribbling techniques in basketball: control dribble, speed dribble, crossover dribble, and behind-the-back dribble.
2. Problem 2: If a player starts dribbling at half-court and takes 5 dribbles to reach the basket, how many total dribbles did they take?
• Answer: The player took a total of 6 dribbles, including the initial one at half-court.
3. Problem 3: Why is it important to keep your head up while dribbling in a game?
• Answer: Keeping your head up while dribbling helps you see the court, anticipate defenders, and make better decisions with the ball.
4. Problem 4: Describe the proper stance and body position when dribbling the basketball.
• Answer: The proper stance involves bending your knees, keeping your back straight, and staying low to the ground to maintain balance and control.
5. Problem 5: How can you improve your weak hand dribbling skills?
• Answer: To improve weak hand dribbling, practice dribbling drills specifically with your non-dominant hand, such as figure-eight dribbling or stationary dribbling exercises.
6. Problem 6: In a game situation, when is it appropriate to use a crossover dribble?
• Answer: A crossover dribble is typically used to quickly change direction and get past a defender, especially when driving to the basket or creating space for a shot.
7. Problem 7: How does ball control and hand speed affect dribbling performance?
• Answer: Good ball control and hand speed help maintain possession, execute moves effectively, and react to defensive pressure while dribbling.
8. Problem 8: Name one basketball player known for their exceptional dribbling skills and describe one move they are famous for.
• Answer: Example: Kyrie Irving is known for his exceptional dribbling skills, particularly his signature move, the "Kyrie Crossover," where he quickly shifts the ball between hands to deceive defenders.
9. Problem 9: How can you use hesitation dribbles to your advantage in a game?
• Answer: Hesitation dribbles can be used to fake out defenders, change pace, and create opportunities to drive to the basket or set up a play for a teammate.
10. Problem 10: Describe a scenario where using a behind-the-back dribble would be effective on the court.
• Answer: Using a behind-the-back dribble can be effective when facing intense defensive pressure, as it allows the player to protect the ball and create separation from defenders while maintaining control and speed.

1. Start with a warm-up by having the kids jog around the court to get their bodies ready for dribbling.
2. Teach the kids the proper way to hold the basketball with their fingertips, not their palms, to have better control.
3. Show them how to use their non-dominant hand as a guide while dribbling with their dominant hand to improve coordination.
4. Practice dribbling in place first with the dominant hand, focusing on keeping the ball low and under control.
5. Have the kids move on to dribbling while walking around the court, emphasizing proper technique and control throughout.
6. Introduce a simple dribbling drill where the kids have to weave in and out of cones or obstacles while maintaining control of the ball.
7. Encourage the kids to practice dribbling with both hands to develop ambidexterity and improve overall skills.
8. Finish the session with a fun dribbling game or relay race to keep the kids engaged and reinforce the techniques they've learned.

• Game 1: Dribble Tag

  Rules:

  1. Designate one player as the "tagger" and the rest as "dribblers".

  2. The tagger must tag the other players by touching them with their hand.

  3. Dribblers must continuously dribble their basketball while moving around the playing area.

  4. If a dribbler is tagged, they become the new tagger.

  5. Play for a set amount of time or until all dribblers have been tagged.

• Game 2: Dribble Relay Race

  Rules:

  1. Divide students into teams of equal numbers.

  2. Each team lines up in a single file at the starting line with a basketball.

  3. The first player in line dribbles the basketball around a cone and back to their team.

  4. They then pass the ball to the next player in line who repeats the process.

  5. The first team to have all players complete the relay wins.

• Game 3: Dribble Obstacle Course

  Rules:

  1. Set up a course with cones, chairs, and other obstacles for students to dribble around.

  2. Students must navigate the course while dribbling their basketball.

  3. Time each student individually as they complete the course.

  4. The student with the fastest time wins.

  5. Encourage students to focus on their dribbling technique while maneuvering through the obstacles.