Practice starts with the ball in their hands. The dribble warm-up gets the muscles working, the eyes up, and the brain ready before any structured drill. Six minutes, lots of touches.
What you need: A basketball for each kid. A full or half court.
Setup: Kids in a line on the baseline, each with a ball. Cones at the opposite baseline mark the turn.
How to run it:
- First trip: walking dribble with right hand to the far baseline, left hand back. Eyes up.
- Second trip: jogging dribble. Same hand pattern.
- Third trip: skip dribble (skip step plus dribble). Both hands.
- Fourth trip: backwards dribble (walking backward while dribbling).
- Fifth trip: full speed dribble. Then water break.
What to watch: Eyes up. Most kids will look at the ball. Tell them to look at the back of the kid in front of them.
If they’re struggling: Use a smaller ball (junior size 25 or 27). Slow the pace.
If they’ve got it: Add a crossover at half court on each trip. Or have them dribble two balls at once.