Dribbling in basketball is considered the second way to move the ball around the playing field after the pass. Many coaches do not pay much attention to dribbling the ball, believing that dynamic basketball with tricky combinations is possible only with a well-coordinated pass game. There is some truth in this. Many players, having received the ball, try to do everything on their own and flirt in dribbling, while passing the ball would be a more reasonable decision. Nevertheless, without dribbling a ball in basketball there would not be that spectacularity, dynamism and entertainment. Anyway, this would not be basketball anymore. Today we will figure out how to comprehend this most important basic skill of a basketball player.
Ball technique
In basketball, dribbling is the movement of a player with a ball across the playing field, during which a player hits the ball with the help of one (by no means two) hands on the floor. Simply put, the player knocks the ball on the floor, and the ball bounces into the hand. Going the ball across the field is not at all difficult, but not everyone can do it qualitatively. There are at least two reasons for this. First, the opponent will always try to take the ball away from you as soon as possible. Therefore, you need to not only move, but also protect the ball. Secondly, during dribbling you need to look around, look for teammates and analyze the situation on the site. Therefore, the hands should independently feel the ball without eye contact. The technique of dribbling a ball in basketball is, on the one hand, quite simple, and on the other, has many specific factors.
Specificity
Why do you need the ball? In most cases, it is used to transfer the ball to the side of the opponent. Dribbling is necessary when the ball is not possible for a team mate. For example, when all associates are at long distances and during the transfer there is a risk of losing the ball. Dribbling on the spot in basketball is necessary in the case when you need to pull a little time until the players take a good position to attack and open for a pass.
As you know, the higher the player, the worse he has dribbling. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, for tall people, the range of the ball rebound is higher and it is easier for the opponent (especially low) to knock it out. Secondly, the roles in the team are usually distributed in such a way that high players pay more attention to rebounds, struggle for positions and other work under the ring, and low ones hone dribbling. On the one hand, this is a normal state of affairs. But on the other - the more universal the player, the more threat he poses to the enemy. Therefore, one must hone the skills of dribbling without exception.
How to learn to drive the ball
The first thing you need to succeed in this area is ongoing practice. The more a person runs with the ball, the better he can do it. But learning in this way can take too much time. Therefore, in the training of basketball players apply special exercises. We will get to know them now.
Practice Exercises
- Warm-up run with the ball. At the beginning of a workout, when the body is still warm, you can kill two birds with one stone: go for a run and work on owning the ball.
- Doing with two balls. It is important that the basketball player feel the ball equally well with both hands. This exercise allows you to develop coordination and work on the technique of both the right and left hands. To achieve maximum effect, try this combination: first, simultaneous bounce of both balls, and then variable. It is quite difficult, but very useful.
- Dribbling with a change of direction. In basketball, the situation is changing rapidly, often you have to move backwards or sideways. Try dribbling the ball and shuttle running with it .
- Do not part with the ball. Even outside the basketball court, try to move around with the ball. You need to go to the store - take the ball. Go to training - instead of a trip on transport, take a walk with the ball. Dribbling on uneven surfaces is very useful for developing coordination.
Additional exercises
On the Internet you can find many dribbling manuals and lessons that offer all sorts of exercises. Many, for example, recommend sitting down on a chair to drive the ball between the legs of the chair or to constantly drive the ball between the legs at a low height. Of course, such exercises will have no effect, because dribbling should be varied. But will they help in this game? In streetball and freestyle, it’s possible, but in classic basketball it’s unlikely.
Paul George's Technique
Many experienced athletes recommend starting training in dribbling in basketball with this technique.
The first point Paul Paul focuses on? - the hand should always be above the ball (not below it) and actively work not with the palm of the hand, but with the brush, or rather, with the fingertips.
So, first you need to crouch so that the ball is at a minimum height. By the way, the lower the height of the ball in basketball, the more difficult it is for the opponent to take it. To this end, basketball players squat slightly during dribbling. They squat, not lean. The first element to work out is called the "crossover". It consists in transferring the ball from one hand to another through a hit on the floor. This simple element is very useful both in training and during the game. It develops hand coordination and helps outwit the opponent on the playing field.
The next exercise is to move the ball between the legs. This is also a very useful element, which will not only help to achieve confident possession of the ball, but will also be needed in the game. To perform the exercise, you need to put one leg forward and crouch slightly. Well, the last exercise is a crossover behind your back. This is the same as a simple crossover, only a little more complicated, effective and efficient.
By learning how to perform these simple exercises so that your eyes are on the court, not the ball, you can significantly increase your level of play. It is advisable to work out these movements before each workout.
Some tips
During the game, someone will always interfere with the dribbling of the ball. Therefore, you need to try to keep it close, possibly covering it with your body and second hand. The ball must be driven by the hand furthest from the opponent. The second hand should always be in front and not allow the opponent to knock the ball.
Basketball
Before you learn how to dribble well, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game. Otherwise, you can memorize the wrong actions, which will take a long time to unlearn. In principle, there are only a few simple rules regarding dribbling in basketball:
- You can hit the ball on the floor with just one hand. A two-handed strike is called double dribbling and will result in penalties.
- Having picked up the ball after dribbling, you can only do two things: pass the ball to a friend or throw the ball into the ring. Before this, it is allowed to move around its axis without lifting one leg (supporting leg) in order to search for a comrade who has taken an advantageous position. It is also allowed to take two steps with the ball, after which the throw to the basket or pass must follow. Otherwise, the player receives a penalty for jogging.
- Passing the ball from one hand to the other without hitting it on the floor is prohibited.
- You can jump with the ball in your hands only if you land without the ball.
- Taking the ball in hand after a pass or taking it from the opponent, you can start the dribble or make a throw. It is allowed to rotate on the supporting leg after receiving the ball in both cases, and to take two steps with the ball only in the second.
Conclusion
So, we figured out the technique and rules of dribbling in basketball. At first glance, it seems that learning to dribble is not difficult, but in reality this causes problems for many novice athletes. Constant practice and a systematic approach to training will help you quickly learn the skill of dribbling and get significant bonuses on the basketball court.