Practice Dribbling
Practice basketball dribbling drills to improve control, coordination, and rhythm using cones or markers, dominant and non-dominant hands, and timed challenges.
Step-by-step guide to practice dribbling
Step 1
Gather your ball and six cones or markers.
Step 2
Find a flat safe space with plenty of room to move.
Step 3
Use the cones or markers to make a straight line with about an arm's length between each marker.
Step 4
Do wrist and finger warm-ups for 20 seconds to wake up your hands.
Step 5
Stand still and dribble with your dominant hand for 30 seconds keeping the ball at waist height.
Step 6
Stand still and dribble with your non-dominant hand for 30 seconds keeping the ball at waist height.
Step 7
Walk slowly and dribble low to the ground with your dominant hand for 20 seconds to practice control.
Step 8
Walk slowly and dribble low to the ground with your non-dominant hand for 20 seconds to build coordination.
Step 9
Dribble weaving through the cones using only your dominant hand from start to finish.
Step 10
Dribble weaving through the cones using only your non-dominant hand from start to finish.
Step 11
Set a timer for 60 seconds for a timed challenge.
Step 12
When the timer starts dribble through the cones switching hands at each cone until the timer stops.
Step 13
Count how many complete trips through the cones you made during the timed challenge.
Step 14
Share your finished dribbling practice and what you improved on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a ball or cones?
If you don't have a ball use a tennis ball, soft foam ball, or a rolled-up socks bundle and replace cones with plastic cups, empty water bottles, or chalk circles placed about an arm's length apart to keep the same spacing.
I'm dropping the ball when dribbling low or through the cones; what should I do?
If you're dropping the ball, repeat the 20-second wrist and finger warm-ups, bend your knees, focus on using fingertips not palms, and rebuild control by redoing the standing 30-second dribbles and the 20-second slow low walks before reattempting the cone weave.
How can I adapt this practice for different age groups?
For younger kids use a larger soft ball, reduce to four cones spaced closer together and shorten dribble times (for example 10–15 seconds), while older kids can keep six cones farther apart, increase the challenge time beyond 60 seconds, or require switching hands at each cone.
How can we extend or personalize the dribbling practice?
To extend the activity personalize the cone layout or add small obstacles, track and try to beat your number of complete trips during the 60-second timed challenge, experiment with different dribbling styles, and then share what you improved on DIY.org.
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Facts about basketball dribbling and ball-handling for kids
⏱️ Timed dribbling challenges (like 30–60 second speed or control rounds) are a quick way to measure progress and build rhythm.
⛳ Cone and marker drills help train sharp changes of direction—great for simulating defenders and improving control.
🏀 Dribbling is the primary legal way to move a live ball while keeping possession and creates space to pass, shoot, or drive.
🌟 Players famous for elite ball-handling, like Allen Iverson and Kyrie Irving, made moves such as the crossover iconic for beating defenders.
🤾♂️ Coaches often split dribbling practice between dominant and non-dominant hands so players can handle pressure from any angle.
How do I practice basketball dribbling drills to improve control and rhythm?
What materials do I need for practice dribbling drills with cones and timers?
What ages are practice dribbling drills suitable for and how should I adapt them?
What are the benefits of regular practice dribbling drills for children?
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