Recently I decided to do some research on finding the right dribbling drills for kids. It may sound kind of strange but, my thought process was that one of the best ways to keep a kid interested in something is to help them be good at it. And I want my son to love basketball the way that I do so I decided to see whats out there to help him achieve the skill he needs for the sport to be really fun. Well, I think I found the right program in this book that teaches ball handling and dribbling drills for kids, but that costs a little money, so I also wanted to list a few things that I found helpful for free as well.
#1 Keep it simple
Drill Right Angle
One of my sons is elementary age, so it is paramount to keep things simple. A cone on one of the court and him dribbling with the right hand down around the cone then again with the left down around the same cone. It helps him condition as well as teaches him to dribble with both hands. Simple, a skill he can master quite easily.
#2 Layup Drills
The easiest shot to make and it is a great transition basket. Start with the ball at the 3 point lilne, have him run to the corner of the hoops and lay the ball in off the backboard. Do it both sides with both hands. Put a chair on the floor for them to maneuver around. You try to lightly guard them so that they have to work around you. Remember, you are not trying to show them how good you are at swatting the ball away, you are trying to show them how to use their hands and feet together to accomplish something good.
Also, make sure the rim is low enough for the age of the kids.
#3 Figure 8 Drills
Set up the cones in a figure 8 and have the kids practice running through the cones using 1 hand the first time, the other hand the second time. This gives the kids a chance to develop both hands and having to concentrate on turning and running at the same time. Not expert level by any means, but movement towards getting better at ball handling.
#4 The Running Pass
Have on player start at the midcourt line, either on the right or left hand side. Have another player stationed outside the box mid way between the free throw line and the base line out towards the 18 foot area of the court. The player at m,id court will run the ball up to the opposite three point line of the player waiting, and will at full speed, throw a pass while on the move. Have all the students do this rotation position from passer to catcher then switch sides and hands dribbling.
#5 The Hesitation
Have on kid stand stationary with hands up at the free throw line have another kid run at him dribbling the ball, when he gets to the stationary player, the ball handler will stop hesitate (while still dribbling) and make a move to the left or the right, switching which hand is doing the dribbling while he makes that move.
#6 The The Reverse Lay-up
Have the player start at the 3 point line and dribble towards the basket for a lay up, but this time instead of a regular lay up the player will go under the hoop and without contorting themselves, lay the basketball up from the other side. This will take some time to get used to. Have them do it with both hand from both sides.
#7 The Octopus
This is one I made up. Its probably a real drill somewhere but I haven't run across it so while probably not original, this is what it is. Start under the basket have a cone on the far right parallel with the starting point, a cone at a 45 degree angle on the 3 point line, a cone at the top of the key at the 3 point line, a cone at a 45 degree angle on the left side, and one parallel on the left. Have each player dribble while side stepping out and around the parallel cone, follow at the odd angles for all the others. go through with both hands. Remember the only straight dribbling on this one is when you go out towards the cone at the top of the key.
#8 Figure 8 #2
Similar to the Dribbling figure 8, but this time what y9ou do is have the student spread their legs and dribble from on hand to the other between their legs. Get where the players can do this with both hands starting the drill, then have them do it while walking down the court.
#9 Ups and Downs
Start waist high and start a normal dribble. Gradually increase the size of the dribble until it is face high, then work your way back down going as low to the floor as possible, then back up to waist level. Practice with both hands.
#10 The Crossover
Dribble with your right hand. Bounce the ball once on the right side, then cross the ball over in front of you by bouncing it to the left. The left hand now bounces it on the left once, and then crossover back to the right, where the right takes over again. Repeat starting with the other hand.