The Fundamentals of Basketball-Dribbling.

Clearly, basketball dribbling is important in the game of basketball. However, basketball dribbling is not as essential to winning a basketball game as you might believe--even if you're the point guard! Many players lose much of their efficiency because of the great desire they have in trying to basketball dribble in, around and through the entire other team.

One of the most important things that you should remember when basketball dribbling a basketball is that, you should ALWAYS protect the basketball by placing your body between your opponent and the basketball--you can perfect the skill by practicing the right basketball dribbling drills. Michael Jordan explains this very important basketball dribbling fundamental in the following basketball dribble video...Take some notes.

Types of Basketball Dribbling.

There are two types of basketball dribble: the high basketball dribble which you need for speed in bringing the basketball down the floor or driving for the basketball hoop, and the low basketball dribble which is needed when you are trying to protect the basketball while you are in the act of basketball dribbling.

The high basketball dribble should be bounced between the knee and the hip area, the low basketball dribble at knee level or lower. As a player, you must know when to use each type of basketball dribble; otherwise, the opposing player guarding you would be more likely to steal the basketball from you--this is a skill that you can learn with the proper basketball dribbling drills.

As mentioned above, you should always protect your basketball dribble by keeping your body between your opponent and the basketball. If you basketball dribble facing your opponent with the basketball in front of him, you will increase your chances of losing the basketball.

Variations of the Basketball Dribble

In addition to learning how to basketball dribble well, both high and low, you must also develop the ability to "lose your opponent" with the basketball dribble by either using a change of pace, change of direction, or reverse basketball dribble.

Change of Pace Basketball Dribble

The Change of Pace Basketball Dribble is a variation of fakes, starts, and stops using different speeds. Basketball dribbling fast, slowing down, or retreating a little would most likely lead to your opponent overplaying you. And, a sudden burst of speed at the right time will enable you, the basketball dribbler, to break away from your defender, especially if you are being guarded by an opponent with inferior basketball quickness.

Sometimes on a three-man basketball fast break, if you are the middle man basketball dribbling the ball, you can use the change of pace basketball dribble to "trick" the defense into spreading out; as you slow down your basketball dribble, the defense would think that you intend on passing the basketball to one of your teammates on the wing heading towards the opponent's basketball hoop. As the defense spreads, you suddenly increase your basketball dribbling speed and go all the way for the easy basket before your opponents can recover their defensive position.

You can improve your ability to utilize the change of pace basketball dribble by practicing the right basketball dribbling drills (such as, dribbling the ball forward, backward and at various angles with changes of speed).

Change of Direction Basketball Dribble

You will be severely handicapped as a basketball player, if you could only basketball dribble the basketball either in only one direction or in a straight line. When the situation arises, you should be able to change direction by using the change of direction basketball dribble.

The change of direction basketball dribble is accomplished as follows:

1. With a good fake and crossover basketball dribble, go one way.

2. Come back immediately to the starting position.

3. Then with the same crossover dribble, go the other way.

Note: See the video below to learn how to use the crossover basketball dribble to change direction.

You can attempt the crossover basketball dribble with a good head fake; however, if you are being guarded by an excellent defender, he most likely would not be fooled by your head fakes. As a result, your feet must be used along with head when faking.

To make the basketball dribbling crossover more effective, some change of pace must be used. For example, if you are basketball dribbling the basketball with your right hand, you may be basketball dribbling straight or slightly to your right. Suddenly, if you step to your left with your left foot and at the same time cutting the basketball across close to your legs, you will leave the defensive man still moving to his left.

If the defensive man steps with you on the basketball crossover, then an immediate comeback to your right side will cause you to evade him. Make sure that you keep the basketball close to your body when performing the basketball dribbling crossover. Getting the basketball too far in front will enable the defense to steal it. (See the video below).

Reverse Basketball Dribble

The reverse basketball dribble is very helpful when your opponent is guarding you very aggressively, and he becomes overly anxious to steal the basketball. In most cases, he will try to overplay you in one direction or the other in his attempt to steal the basketball. A reverse basketball pivot off the inside foot with a change of basketball dribble to the other hand leaves the defender out of position.

When you are basketball dribbling to your left,the defensive man will be forcing you in front and to his left side. Using a quick stop and basketball pivot on the right foot, you can pick up the basketball with the right hand, and the left foot becomes the lead foot as you reverse direction and move to your right. Maneuvers such as this will leave your opponent clearly out of position and open the way for a drive to the basketball hoop. Basketball dribbling drills will help you improve has a basketball handler.

When to basketball dribble a basketball during a basketball game.

The basketball dribble is a valuable individual maneuver when used properly. When used incorrectly it works against the purpose of the offense.

The basketball dribble is only of value in certain basketball game situations...Remember these:

Don't basketball dribble if you can pass;

Don't basketball dribble aimlessly; and,

Don't basketball dribble if you can do anything else to advance the offense.

All the “dont's” about basketball dribbling are based on this basketball fundamental fact: a basketball player running free can travel faster than a dribbler.

The basketball, you see, is always the focal point of the attack. Whenever the basketball stops or moves slowly, the defense has time and opportunity to adjust.

Other situations when using the basketball dribble is appropriate during a basketball game:

• It should be used to get the basketball in the clear in the back court;

• To bring the basketball from back court to front court if the defense is already in position;

• On short drives to the basket;

• To get away from a pressing defense, or to pull defensive men away from the basket.

• Use the basketball dribble to get the basketball out of congested areas.

• Use the basketball dribble to score from close range.

• Use the basketball dribble to carry the attack from the back court to the defense in the front court.

• Use the basketball dribble when it is the only sensible maneuver possible. Don't forsake the passing of the basketball.

How to basketball dribble a basketball.

When basketball dribbling a basketball, your body should be crouched and leaning forward, with your head erect so that you can see in-front of you and you know where you are going.

The basketball is pushed directly out in front and away from you.

The distance in which the basketball is pushed away will depend upon the speed at which you are running.

The basketball should not be struck hard but rather pushed with the fingers. The wrist and arm should recoil or give slightly when the ball strikes the fingers. (Basketball dribbling a basketball the correct way will become more natural for you if you practice the right basketball dribbling drills).

When basketball dribbling the basketball, you should run with your feet wider apart than normal. Your knees should be bent, the trunk of your body inclined forward at the waist; head up and eyes directed well forward. The forearm of the basketball dribbling hand is to be parallel with the floor.

When advancing the basketball—you should never stand still while basketball dribbling—the basketball should be bounced away from you at an angle. In effect, you want to catch up to the basketball as it comes off the floor...

And, the bounces of the basketball should be short and low.

When you change direction sharply while basketball dribbling, you can alternate hands (right hand for a sharp left drive; left hand for a sharp right drive).

When you're being guarded closely, you should use the hand that's farthest from your opponent to basketball dribble the basketball.

Remember that once you've stopped your basketball dribble, you're stuck. You can't move again until you've taken a basketball shot at the oponent's basketball hoop or passed the basketball to a teammate.

Finally, save the basketball dribble until you need it.

How to change direction when basketball dribbling the basketball...

When basketball dribbling the basketball, there will be many occasions whereby you will need to change direction while in motion. The way you accomplish this is by using the basketball crossover dribble as explained in the following basketball dribbling video by Michael Jodan. Again, take some notes...

It is without a doubt an asset to any player to be a skillful basketball dribbler; proper basketball dribbling can be accomplished by regularly practicing basketball dribbling drills. However, you should use good judgment in its use. It should only be used when the occasion arises and never when a pass can be substituted.

Basketball Dribbling Tips:

1. Lean forward when basketball dribbling.

2. Keep the head erect.

3. Do not basketball dribble blindly.

4. Know when to stop basketball dribbling.

5. Don't basketball dribble into trouble.

6. Push the basketball, don't stop it.

7. Keep the wrist and fingers flexible.

8. Keep the basketball well out in front of you.

9. Learn to change pace.

10. Protect the basketball with the body when possible.

Remember, basketball dribbling drills will help you become a much better basketball dribbler.

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