If you can dribble a basketball with either hand and make a good dribble move without having to think about it or look down, you are a step above most players. The goal of this tennis ball basketball dribbling drill is to help you learn how to make a move without having to look down or think about what you are going to do with the basketball. Because the better you can dribble the basketball without focusing on it, the more you can run the team or breakdown your defender.
Basketball Drill Overview
Drill Name: 3 Dribble Partner Tennis Ball Toss/Bounce Crossover Basketball Drill
Equipment Needed: 2 tennis balls, 2 basketballs, and a partner.
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Goals of the Drill
- Improve your eye-hand coordination and work on your ball handling.
- Be able to dribble a basketball without looking down or having to think about it.
Coaching Points
- Keep your eyes up the whole time.
- Focus on a good toss and a good catch.
- Stay low in an athletic position and don’t raise up.
- Pound the basketball.
Basketball Drill Instructions
- Players will start facing each other at about 8 feet apart.
- Basketballs will be in the player’s right hands, and the tennis balls will start in the players’ left hands.
- One player will be designated to bounce the tennis ball before the drill starts, and the other player will bounce it.
- Both players will take 3 dribbles and then bounce/toss the tennis balls to their partner’s hand with the basketball in it.
- While the tennis balls are in the air, each player will cross their basketball over to the other hand.
- Catch the tennis ball and then take 3 more dribbles before bouncing/tossing the tennis ball again.
- Go for anywhere between 30-60 seconds or a certain number of catches.
- The coach can make the basketball drill more difficult by yelling change several times during the drill and making the players switch who is tossing and bouncing.
- This makes the players think while they are doing the drill.
