Utilize Three Ball Drills for Advanced Guards

I dont believe it will make you a better basketball player in any way. Once you get past 2 basketball its for show are just amusement. You cant use it in a game.

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Coach Mike, you might enjoy this story.

When at video shoot with Don Kelbick, we were doing some 2-ball dribbling drills. One of the kids asked Don, "Are these the drills you use with pros and NBA players?"

Don replies back, "No. This is for you."

Then he continues, "Pros work on things that make them better."

He went on tell a story when he gave two basketballs to JJ Barea to begin a workout and JJ rifled one back at him.


With that being said, I do like these drills as a quick warm up to get the body loose.

It's also a fun, challenging way to keep kids attention.

With today's YouTube generation that idolizes trainers who use circus basketball training marketing videos. I think I recently saw a guy with a tractor tire on the floor...(smh)

Now if you're spending 10 to 15 minutes at a beginning of a workout with this drill, you probably are wasting your time.

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Useless not!!! There should be a progression when teaching multiple ball drills just as well with single ball drills. I have been very successful having MANY of my AAU girls making their high school varsity teams as starters mainly because they do not have a dominate hand. Oh as 9th graders!

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The drill can be used to improve dribble/ball control when the hand is not conditioned to handling the ball in certain situations. As far as making you a better player, other drills and situation training can be utilized for that.
But dont forget, this drill will improve the players skill in some respect. So skipping it will not give the player the opportunity to discover his potential.

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This drill is also good for improving eye/hand coordination.

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I agree this is a great drill for improving hand/eye coordination. Not to mention, it's challenging, fun, develops both hands, and keeps players engaged.

Just because a drill doesn't happen in a game, that doesn't always mean it's bad. Does that mean the defensive shell drill is bad because offensive players are never stationary in a game?

The truth is that when you think about it, most drills incorporate certain things that never happen in a game. That doesn't necessarily make them bad drills.

When used in the proper context and at the right time, 3-ball dribbling is an excellent drill for coaches to add to their toolbox.

When it comes to skill development… you dribble, pass, pivot, shoot, and finish at the basket. That’s about it.

A good coach will give players different drills so it seems like they are working on something new -- but in reality, even though the player thinks it's new, they are still just working on dribbling. Otherwise it can be pretty monotonous.

I would not rely too heavily on the 3-ball drill above, because you obviously need to incorporate game-like drills and other dribble moves... but this is excellent for building a base, challenging players, and giving them a variety.

Pounding the ball with both hands build hand quickness, strength, and confidence with the ball. Adding the third ball makes it a little more interesting. :)

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