Step 1/3Small space, everyone dribbling, no bumping
Orange = offense · blue = defense · solid line = cut · dashed = pass · zig-zag = dribble · T = screen · dotted arc = shot
Ball Handling drill
Crowded Court Dribbling
Everyone dribbles in a small space without touching anyone. No stealing: just heads up, dodge and change direction.
- Time
- 5 min
- Players
- 6+
- Ages
- All ages
- Level
- Beginner
Equipment: 1 ball each
How to run the drill
- 1Everyone has a ball inside a small area, such as the key or inside the three-point line.
- 2Dribble anywhere you like without bumping into anyone or losing your ball. Nobody goes for anyone else's ball.
- 3Don't all go round the same way. Cut across, change direction, change speed.
- 4Make the space smaller every 30 seconds. Add challenges: weak hand only, or a crossover each time you pass someone.
Coaching points
- Eyes up to find the gaps
- Change speed and direction
- Keep the ball on the side away from traffic
More ball handling drills
Ball Handling · Intermediate
1-on-1 Zig-Zag
Ball handler zig-zags the length of the floor against a defender who shuffles and turns them.
8 min2+ playersAges 9+
Animated
Ball Handling · Beginner
1v1 Rooted Defender
A defender can retreat from the three-point line but cannot step above it. The attacker reads the gap and chooses a shot or drive.
7 min2+ playersAges 8+
Animated
Ball Handling · All levels
1v1 Speed Dribble Race
The dribbler starts a few steps ahead and races the length of the court for a layup while the defender sprints to cut them off.
8 min2+ playersAges 9+
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