Coaches Resources
Week 4: Playing tip. Dribbling and how to use it
The dribble should be used to gain distance, penetrate the defence or improve angles for making a pass. Gaining distance with the dribble can help you;
(a) Establish floor position to run a set play.
(b) Create a fast break opportunity with a numbers advantage.
(c) Draw a defender through penetration to open up a teammate for a high percentage shot.
(d) Using the dribble to improve your passing angle to assist you in making a higher percentage pass to a teammate in your offense or transition.
Most importantly dribbling and ball handling skills cannot be performed against tough defensive pressure unless you have practiced the skill repetitively to be automatic. In other words practice until you can dribble with confidence and without having to think about it.
(1) Dribble under control:
All great dribblers maintain control of the ball no matter what movements they are attempting with the dribble. Control is the key. If you lose control of the ball, even for a second, you lose the ability to react and move in any direction, at any time with the ball. That is the moment when you are most vulnerable to attack by a defender, resulting in a turnover to your opponent.
In order to maintain control you should dribble a ball with your fingers spread. Dribble with your fingers not the palms of your hands. Keeping your fingers spread as you dribble increases the amount of surfacearea your fingers are in contact with the ball improving control. Dribbling with your fingers instead of the flatter palm surface improves not only control, but enables you to generate a harder dribble required, to quickly change direction of the dribble. Keep the dribble at knee level unless you are sprinting with the dribble, where you can allow the ball to come up to waist level.
(2) Use the dribble at the correct time:
It is easy as a defender to spot a dribble addict because they put the ball on the floor every time they catch the ball. This is a very bad habit to develop. They also dribble more than twice without accomplishing anything with the dribble.
The most common mistake by an offensive player is to put the ball on the floor at the wrong time. Putting the ball on the floor quickly, gives back any triple threat advantage (shot, pass, dribble) to the defender. Only put the ball on the floor with a purpose (e.g., to draw a defender, open a passing lane, or create a shot attempt). If you are not sure what to do, pass before you dribble. If you can pass to a teammate, instead of dribbling for an advantage, pass the ball.
When being pressured hard by your defender, do not dribble immediately, despite this being your first reaction. If you keep your dribble in this situation and pivot with balance, the defender will over commit, lose their balance, and can easily be beaten off the dribble.
Only use your dribble to attack a defender. Once you have initiated your attack and are confronted by a double team or trap situation, it may be to your advantage to back up with your dribble. In general go at your defender and go toward the basket when you must dribble.
(3) Individual offence:
These days we see young players who use the dribble too much with poor dribble skills and a lack of knowledge how to use the dribble effectively. If you have poor dribble skills, practice ball handling 10 to 15 minutes each day working toward the goal of improving your dribbling skills against pressure defence. Learn to use either hand without having to look at the ball.
The most effective offensive players are those that have excellent dribbling skills with either hand. A dribbler who can go hard to the basket with either hand and pass or shoot off that dribble is the toughest player you will ever guard.
(4) Less dribbles lead to more success:
Never take two dribbles to gain distance and an angle when you can cover the same distance with one. A most common mistake by young players is too many dribbles over a short distance. A dribble is the most time consuming skill in the game. Time means defensive “help” can arrive negating any opportunity you might initially create from the dribble.
Your penetration dribble should be pushed low and behind a defender. If your dribble is high and requires two dribbles to cover the distance, the defender can recover, although beaten off the first step. Remember less dribble brings you success.
Dribble with control, purpose and at the correct time. Plenty of repetitive practice and most importantly, less for success.
Eric Lowe,
Coaching & Development Officer.
