Step 1/3Attack the defender
Orange = offense · blue = defense · solid line = cut · dashed = pass · zig-zag = dribble · T = screen · dotted arc = shot
Ball Handling drill
1v1 in a Box
1-on-1 inside a small coned box: the dribbler tries to get past the defender to the far line.
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- 2+
- Ages
- 9+
- Level
- All levels
Equipment: 1 ball per pair, 4 cones
How to run the drill
- 1Mark a box about four metres square with cones. Attacker with the ball on one side, defender facing them.
- 2The attacker has five seconds to dribble across the far line without leaving the box.
- 3The defender tries to turn them or force them out of the box — no reaching fouls.
- 4Swap each go. Make the box narrower to help the defender, wider to help the attacker. Set up several boxes across the court so everyone plays at once — no queues.
Coaching points
- Change speed and direction — don't dance
- Attack the defender's front foot
- Defender: move your feet, chest in front of the ball
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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