Step 1/3Dribble towards each other
Orange = offense · blue = defense · solid line = cut · dashed = pass · zig-zag = dribble · T = screen · dotted arc = shot
Ball Handling drill
Swap the Ball
Everyone dribbles; when two players meet they swap balls mid-dribble without catching them.
- Time
- 5 min
- Players
- 4+
- Ages
- 8–12
- Level
- Intermediate
Equipment: 1 ball each
How to run the drill
- 1Everyone dribbles around the court.
- 2When you meet someone, you each take over the other's dribble — leave your ball bouncing and pick up theirs on the next bounce.
- 3Nobody is allowed to catch the ball. Count how many swaps you can make in a minute.
- 4Progress: two balls each, or as a relay between teams.
Coaching points
- Bounce it a little higher just before the swap
- Talk: “Swap!”
- Eyes up to find a partner
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+
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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+
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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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