How to Improve Dribbling With Pull/Push

The Pull/Push 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 each 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 partner). 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/chair.

8. Keeping the dribble below the knee, the player PULLS the dribble back to just behind the right hip.

9. The next dribble is a PUSH forward while passing to the right of the cone and quickly dribbling towards the sideline (i.e. the partner's original starting position).

10. 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.

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

12. From Triple Threat Position, partners call each other's names to begin the second leg of the Pull/Push Move.

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

14. 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/chair.

15. Keeping the dribble below the knee, the player PULLS the dribble back to just behind the left hip.

16. The next dribble is a PUSH forward while passing to the left of the cone and quickly dribbling towards the sideline (i.e. the original starting position).

17. 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.

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

19. If doing the complete Mirror Dribbling Series, the partners would proceed to the next dribbling skill.

Tips & Warnings

• Really sell the PULL by making it appear as if you are going to retreat away from the defender--this will get the defender lunging towards you to explode past him/her with the PUSH dribble.
• 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 you are dribbling.

[smilesatme1]

on 11/10/2008 I think this one I can handle! Thank you