Great ball handlers in basketball can see the floor, read the defense, and move wherever they need to go with the ball. This only happens, though, when the player handling the basketball becomes comfortable with their handles and can make the ball an extension of their body. The follow the leader dribbling drill is going to help you work on this.
When doing this basketball drill, you will have to handle two basketballs at the same time and then also follow the coach leading the drill. The player won’t be able to look down at the basketball or worry about the ball; they will have to keep their eyes and head up the whole time to see the coach. Two ball basketball dribbling drills are designed to challenge the player above and beyond what they would normally face in a game with only one ball; that way, in the game, they will be more comfortable with only dribbling one basketball.
Basketball Drill Overview
Drill Name: Follow the Leader Two Ball Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill
Equipment Needed: Two basketballs and a partner.
Similar Basketball Drills and Resources
- Follow the Leader Alternating Two Ball Basketball Dribbling Drill
- Follow the Leader Two Ball Basketball Dribbling Drill
Goals of the Drill
- Develop your ball handling with both hands and learn to handle the basketball with your eyes up.
Coaching Points
- Stay low during this basketball dribbling drill, and don’t raise up.
- Keep the basketball tight to your body and under control.
- Dribble the basketballs as hard as you can, and don’t be afraid to mess up.
- You need to get out of your comfort zone to get better.
Basketball Drill Instructions
- The player will start on the baseline with two basketballs, and the partner will start even them on the baseline as well.
- When the drill starts, the player will dribble both basketballs simultaneously as hard as they can.
- They must keep their eyes on the coach (leader), and when the leader moves, they must follow.
- However, every time before they move, they must make a crossover move.
- The leader can move forward, back, right, or left, and the drill goes till the player reaches the opposite baseline.
