How to Improve the Speed Dribble

This Speed Dribbling drill is part of a series of "Mirror Dribbling" Series that you can do with a partner or as a whole team. If you consistently practice the "Mirror Dribbling" series, you will grow your dribbling skills dramatically.

Things You'll Need

• At least 2 players
• Basketball
• Cone or Chair
• Hard surface for dribbling

Instructions

How to Do a Drill Setup

1. Players choose a partner.

2. Each partner has a ball and are facing each other about 50 feet apart. If you are on a court, a player on each sideline is the perfect distance.

3. Place a cone/chair at the mid-point of the partners (about 25 feet from each player). This cone/chair represents the defender.

4. During the drill, the partners "mirror" each other.

How to Execute the Drill

1. Partners call out the other's name to start the drill.

2. Upon hearing their name, each player dribbles quickly with their right hand towards the cone/chair.

3. Each player passes the cone/chair on the right side and proceeds towards the sideline (e.g. their partner's original position).

4. As the player reaches the sideline they come to a two-foot jump stop. At this point the players should be 50 feet apart and facing away from one another.

5. Upon completing the jump stop, each partner should pivot towards their partner and assume the Triple Threat Position.

6. From Triple Threat Position partners call each other's names to begin the second leg of Speed Dribbling.

7. Once the names have been called, each player dribbles quickly with their left hand towards the cone/chair.

8. Each player passes the cone/chair on the left side and proceeds towards the sideline (e.g. original position).

9. As the player reaches the sideline, they come to a two-foot jump stop. At this point, the players should be 50 feet apart and facing away from one another.

10. Upon completing the jump stop, each partner should pivot towards their partner and assume the Triple Threat Position.

11. If doing the complete "Mirror Dribbling" Series, the partners would proceed to the next dribble skill.

Tips & Warnings

• Be strong, balanced, and controlled on jump stops.

• Be sure to communicate clearly with your partner--this drill will help to improve team communication.

• Be sure to keep your head up when dribbling.

• The chair/cone is the defender--be sure to keep the ball away from the defender.