Video - Partner Dribbling Drill
With Tennis Ball Toss

Very nice drill!

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I am going to use this drill!

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go drill might be fun to do

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How can this drill translate into a game type situation. Drills are great,but lets keep in mind that every drill is to improve various aspects of a players performance in a game. I am not saying this drill isn''t a good one, but how many times in the game will a player " crab dribble", unless they are in the post. And even then, they will only dribble several times in that fashion......

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Byron, I agree that you definitely want to have drills that apply to game situations. If you were looking for a drill specifically for game situations, then this isn't a good idea.

However, if you look at the drill purpose, it's meant to improve hand-eye coordination and catching, while focusing on keeping your hands up. It is also an overload drill. It overloads you mentally, so when you go back a drill with one ball in a normal game situation, the kid will feel like handling the ball is easy.

I agree that doing a drill just to do a drill or because somebody else is doing it is usually not a good idea. And always ask why.

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Good point. I probably wouldn't use this drill with my high school team. BUT with youth players it is GREAT!!

Studies have been done that coordination is best developed BEFORE the age of 12. If you truly care about your young players, then do drills like this and many others that develop hand eye coordination, balance, athleticism, and so on. They will thank you for it when they get older. In addition to improving coordination, this drill also teaches players to keep their head up while dribbling.

If you are ONLY worried about drills translating to games at the youth level, then you are in the wrong profession. That is important but a lower priority. You should primarily be concerned with developing these players to reach their maximum potential. And also make a positive impact by teaching character, integrity, confidence, positive thinking, teamwork, and helping them learn to love sports and basketball.

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When you set the drill up, would you try to partner up players who have similar dribbling/catching abilities?

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Jenny -

While in a perfect world that might work better... but you wont always be able to do that.
Just do the best that you can when setting this up with your players. There might be some that want to work with another player that is better than he/she is.... that will only make them better.

Jeff & Joe make some great points about this drill and what it does for young players.

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Not my cup of tea. Not gamelike, no defender, waste of time. But nice drill if you have tons of time, just for the fun.

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Rick -

The idea / purpose of the drill to improve hand-eye coordination and is a great drill your younger players but to each his own.

As for wasting time, not sure about that.... Keep your drills short, kids will work harder and wont be bored. JMO


Drill Purpose:

This is a fun drill that players of all ages will enjoy. It improves hand-eye coordination, catching, and dribbling. It also forces the players to keep their heads up while dribbling the basketball

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I think the other point that is missed is having the player dribble without looking at the ball which is a huge issue with younger players. This drill gets their eyes up.

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