How to Improve Dribbling With Inside/Outside

This Inside/Outside drill is part of the 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. Here is how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

How to Do the Drill Setup

1. Each player chooses a partner.

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

3. Place a cone/chair at the midpoint 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

5. Each partner calls out the other's name to start the drill.

6. Upon hearing his/her name, each player dribbles quickly with the right hand towards the cone/chair.

7. As the player gets about 3 feet from the cone/chair, he/she gets in a low, athletic position while protecting the dribble on the right side of the body away from the cone.

8. Keeping the dribble below the knee, the player does a cross dribble towards the left knee.

9. Still using the right hand, the player brings the ball back to the right side of his/her body.

10. With control of the ball, he/she proceeds to the right of the cone/chair and quickly towards the sideline (i.e. the partner's original position).

11. As the player reaches the sideline, he/she comes to a two-foot jump stop. At this point the players should be 50 feet apart and facing away from one another.

12. Upon completing the jump stop, each partner should pivot towards his/her partner and assume the Triple Threat Position.

13. From Triple Threat Position, partners call each other's names to begin the second leg of Inside/Outside Move.

14. Once the names have been called, each player dribbles quickly with his/her left hand towards the cone/chair.

15. As the player gets about 3 feet from the cone/chair, he/she gets in a low, athletic position while protecting the dribble on the left side of the body away from the cone.

16. Keeping the dribble below the knee, the player does a cross dribble towards the right knee.

17. Still using the left hand, the player brings the ball back to the left side of the body.

18. With control of the ball, he/she proceeds to the left of the cone/chair and quickly towards the sideline (i.e. the original starting position).

19. As the player reaches the sideline, he/she comes to a two-foot jump stop. At this point the players should be 50 feet apart and facing away from one another.

20. Upon completing the jump stop, each partner should pivot towards his/her partner and assume the Triple Threat Position.

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

Tips & Warnings

• Really sell the Inside/Outside move by making it look like you are going to completely crossover to the other side.
• The cone/chair is the defender--be sure to keep the ball away from the defender.
• 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.