Even for a website like Cultured Athlete, the idea of an article focused solely on the art of dribbling a basketball might be difficult to imagine. But those who have played the sport understand how crucial that element is for players to master; especially from a young age. Indeed, few skills in basketball are as fundamental—or as fun—as dribbling. Once a child learns how to control the ball, they essentially unlock the rest of the game in its entirety. Thus, today’s topic is something that parents with children in youth sports should learn about, even if they themselves don’t ever master the art of dribbling.
Now look, we’re not looking to undercut the value of shooting, passing, and defense. After all, we may yet write articles highlighting those skills as well. But the fact remains that each and every one of those additional basketball skills hinge on a player’s ability to keep the ball moving whilst they make their way around the court. And to do so confidently, while under pressure, is a skill that can only be learned through proper practice.
To the uninitiated, dribbling might just seem elementary or simple, but it is deceptively so. Bouncing the ball up and down involves coordination, timing, rhythm, awareness, and patience; all things which, if we are being frank, young children do not have in abundance. The good news is that if kids develop strong dribbling habits early, with the right guidance, practice, and encouragement they can go on to play quite well.
In this article, we will explain the importance of dribbling as it relates to basketball and to a child’s overall coordination. We will talk about the best ways to this skill to children, while providing options for drills and games parents can use to make it more fun. So, without further ado, let’s head down the court, shall we?
The Foundation of Basketball
We will be the first to admit that the title of this segment sounds rather grandiose for something as mundane as basketball, but you will forgive us some artistic license, surely. Think about other sports for a moment and the different skills for ball handling that are required to play them. In soccer, the ball travels mostly by passing and kicking. In baseball, the ball is basically always in motion, being tossed around between players on either side. Basketball is a little different in that each athlete spends a pretty decent amount of time with the ball in their own hands.
Kids who feel comfortable dribbling are able to move more confidently through the game. At the same time, knowing where the ball is and handling it themselves enables them to keep their eyes on both their teammates and their opponents. Playing whilst dribbling also teaches kids to make quick decisions while under pressure. Finally, as a child learns to dribble innately, they may also feel empowered to try new things on the court.
Building Motor Skills and Coordination
Dribbling challenges children in a number of ways and nearly all of them have to do with coordination. When dribbling, kids need to use both hands, track the ball, and move their bodies, simultaneously; this is not an easy conglomeration of things to keep a handle on. In time, dribbling properly will help them to improve their hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and spatial awareness. These skills don’t just carry over into other sports, they can be utilized in everyday actions.
Instilling Patience and Discipline
Ball control is the name of the game when it comes to basketball…well, basketball is, but you get the picture. The point is, all of this requires practice. Dribbling, like every skill a child learns in youth sports isn’t mastered in a single afternoon. Youth sports is about persistence, which is a valuable life skill to take with them as they grow.
Getting Started: What Parents Should Know
Choose the Right Ball
As odd as it might sound, picking the right kind of basketball is actually a vital piece of the dribbling puzzle. A ball that’s too big or heavy will make dribbling frustrating or even impossible. The point is, look for youth-sized basketballs like those listed below:
- Size 3 (22 inches circumference, ~10 ounces) for ages 4–7.
- Size 5 (27.5 inches, ~17 ounces) for ages 8–11.
- Size 6 (28.5 inches, ~20 ounces) for ages 12–14 (and girls 12+).
Find the Right Surface
It’s important to practice dribbling on smooth surfaces—like driveways, gym floors, or community courts. These surfaces help the ball to bounce in a more predictable way. Uneven grass or gravel isn’t just non-conducive to proper dribbling, it actively frustrates kids and slows the learning progress.
Teach the Basic Stance
Did you know that proper dribbling involves having a proper body position? Well, you do now! Before bouncing the ball, kids need to learn to keep their knees bent, in a slight athletic squat. They should also keep their feet shoulder-width apart as they bounce. Keeping one hand free for balance, they should try and bounce the ball using their dominant hand. Eventually, they will be able to use both hands to dribble, most likely, but lets start with the one they are most used to using, shall we? Finally, the hardest bit; they need to keep their eyes looking forward, not on the bouncing ball. This is important since they will rarely be looking at the ball as they move down the court with it in hand.
Keep Sessions Short and Fun
Young children should only practice dribbling for around 10–15 minutes at a time. Long drills at any age can lead to boredom or fatigue, but this is especially true when it comes to younger children. As always, keep the focus on fun. Maybe try to end practices with encouragement so that your child leaves with a renewed sense of accomplishment.
Core Dribbling Skills for Beginners
Stationary Dribbling
When it comes to dribbling, simplest is best to begin with. To wit, we suggest dribbling in place as an entry point for most young kids. Encourage your child to:
- Use their fingertips, not palms.
- Keep the ball at waist level or lower.
- Bend their knees and stay balanced.
Drills:
- Pound dribble: This drill involves dribbling the ball firmly in one spot.
- Switch hands: After 10 dribbles, your kid should switch to their other hand.
- Low-high drill: In this drill, kids should alternate between very low dribbles (ankle level) and higher dribbles (waist level).
Walking Dribbles
Once your child is comfortable with bouncing the ball while standing still, it’s time to add in forward movement. In this stage, the goal is to teach your child how to dribble while taking slow steps. The point of this exercise is to reinforces coordination and rhythm.
Drills:
- Have the child walk across the driveway or court with a consistent dribble.
- Zig-zag walk: This on involves moving in a slanted path to simulate steering the ball.
Crossover Dribble
The crossover is not quite an advanced technique but it also not the first one a budding basketballer should try out. It involves switching the ball from one hand to the other and it is pivotal for outmaneuvering defenders on the court.
Tips:
- Have your kid start wide and exaggerated.
- Emphasize low, controlled movements.
- As ever, ensure that the child’s eyes stay up, not on the ball.
Speed and Control
Finally, it’s essential that you teach your child to vary their dribbling speed. We don’t always notice it while we’re watching or even when we are playing, but controlling the ball while walking fast—or while slowing down—is essential for nearly all in-game situations.
Drills:
- Fast break dribble: This one is a toughie, it involves having the child run while dribbling, then stop suddenly without losing control.
- Tempo drill: Tempo drills are about alternating between slow jog dribbles and sprints.
Fun Games to Make Dribbling Exciting
Red Light, Green Light
In this classic game, parents can call out “green light” to have their kids dribble forward and “red light” to have them stop immediately. You can jazz it up and add “yellow light” so they can practice the more difficult, slow-motion dribbling.
Dribble Tag
Players are meant to keep dribbling while trying to tag other players. The rules are simple from that point on, you lose control of the ball and you’re “out” for a round!
Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses are great drills for a number of different youth sports. Parents can up cones, chairs, or chalk lines. Simply your child weave in and out while keeping the ball under their indivdual control.
Progressing to Intermediate Skills
Once your child has mastered the basketball basics behind dribbling, it will be easy enough to introduce more advanced dribbling techniques into their repertoire. Note that these skills should be introduced gradually, only when kids are ready, so as to avoid unnecessary frustration.
- Behind-the-back dribble: This technique involves switching hands without turning the body.
- Spin move: This impressive-looking move involves dribbling, pivoting, and spinning to change direction.
- Hesitation dribble: This move is one of the more entertaining to master. It involves pausing mid-dribble to fake out the other team’s defenders.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, to say that dribbling is the heartbeat of basketball is hardly the overstatement that one might have heretofore guessed. For children that are just scratching the surface of their basketball careers, mastering control of the ball will be an invaluable tool. The ability to simply dribble is key to many of the strategies they will eventually learn. Moreover, having control in this essential skill will help build up your child’s confidence and allow them to learn and master so many other facets of the sport. As parents, we are well-placed to help our children succeed, so long as we exercise patience; especially when it comes to this challenging skill. In the end, it might be simply because we are parents that we are able to stay patient all throughout our little basketball star’s learning process.
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