5 Must-Do Dribbling Drills for Youth Basketball Players
Consistency is the foundation of progress when it comes to basketball skills, especially ball-handling. To perform confidently on the court, youth players must dedicate time each day to building their dribbling skills. Here are five essential dribbling drills that players should include in their daily routine. These drills are designed to improve control, strengthen weak hands, and prepare athletes for real game situations. Plus, we’ve linked each drill to video demonstrations to help you master them!
1. Pound Dribble Series
Ball control starts with power. The Pound Dribble Series focuses on hard, deliberate dribbles to improve hand strength and speed. Alternate between dribbles at waist height and low, controlled bounces. Start with your strong hand, then move to your weak hand for balanced skill development.
👉 Learn the Pound Dribble Series here
2. Figure 8 Dribbling
This drill teaches control and hand quickness, perfect for creating confidence when working through traffic. Dribble the ball in a figure-eight motion between your legs, keeping the ball low to the ground. Start slowly to build rhythm, then increase speed as you get more comfortable.
👉 Watch the Figure 8 Dribbling drill tutorial
3. Two-Ball Dribbling
Using two basketballs at once is a game-changer for hand coordination and dribbling under pressure. Start by dribbling both balls at the same time, then move to alternating dribbles. If you’re up for a challenge, try walking or jogging while maintaining control.
👉 Follow along with this Two-Ball Dribbling exercise
4. Wall Touch Dribbling
The Wall Touch Dribbling drill pushes players to keep their heads up while maintaining control of the ball. Stand in front of a wall and dribble with one hand while using the other to touch spots or targets on the wall. This builds court vision and awareness so players can read the game while handling the ball.
👉 Check out the Wall Touch Dribbling drill here
5. Crossover to Hesitation Combo
This drill mimics actual in-game moves. Alternate quick crossovers with a hesitation dribble to simulate changing direction and pace. It’s perfect for learning how to create space and keep defenders guessing. Execute it slowly at first, then pick up the speed as your control improves.
👉 Master the Crossover to Hesitation drill here
Final Thoughts
Dribbling is the foundation of every great player’s game. By committing to these five drills daily, you’ll develop better control, confidence, and versatility on the court. Remember, progress doesn’t happen overnight. Trust the process, stay consistent, and push yourself outside your comfort zone. If you put in the work now, you’ll see the results when it matters most. See you on the court! 🏀
Maximizing your player’s height and physical performance means optimizing their nutrition. Make sure your child is getting sufficient protein and supplementing with a high quality methylated multivitamin daily.
