Basketball Fundamentals - Playing the Point Guard

Position
By James Gels, from the Coachs Clipboard Basketball Playbook,
@ http://www.coachesclipboard.net

Learning to play the point guard position is a difficult article to write since many factors
are involved in playing this position. Some of these factors include how the coach wants
his/her point guard to operate, the style of play, the abilities and talents of the
teammates surrounding the point guard, and the skills, temperament, experience and
leadership qualities of the point guard him/herself. I'll try to discuss several qualities
involved.

Communication
The point guard is often thought of an extension of the coach on the floor, or the "quarterback", or floo
point guard must have a close working relationship with the coaches and be very "coachable". He/she
exactly what the coach expects of him/her, and what team strategies to use at a given time. The poin
his role on the team, whether he is expected to be a John Stockton type assist man, or a scorer like A

And this of course will depend not only on his own skills as a scorer, but also upon the talent of his te
him. If the team has some excellent scorers, he/she will want to be a good assist person and get the
If no-one else on the team is a strong scoring threat, then the point guard may need to step up into th

You must also be able to communicate with your teammates both on and off the court.
Learn to read the cuts your post players and wing players make, whether they V-cut or
back-cut. You might work out some hand signals so you know whether he/she is going
back-door or not.
At times, you may see the your team bunched up, with poor spacing, and you need to
know how to back the ball out, direct them and get them to move and correct their
spacing. If you are playing with a shot clock, or near the end of a period, you must be
aware of the clock as well and get the offense attacking at the right time.

See these great clips from All-American Dena Evans at Point Guard College. Even better,
attend a Point Guard College session... more than just another "camp".

Court Balance, Passing, Half-Court Offense

A good point guard must be an excellent passer and getting the ball to your teammates
for easy shots is key. Many think that dribbling and ball-handling are the most important
attributes for a good point guard, but I believe it is being an excellent passer and being
able to find the open man, and when to pass and not pass.
Take care of the ball, and don't throw it into a crowd. Avoid those costly turnovers. Learn
to open the passing lanes by "looking" the defender away, and using pass-fakes. Avoid
passing in the direction you are looking, or "telegraphing" your passes. Look one way
and pass opposite, using your peripheral vision.
You should keep your head up and eyes forward toward the hoop at all times, and you
should be able (using your peripheral vision) to see all four teammates at once. You
want to try to get the ball to your "hot shooters" or to your teammate who may have a
mismatch with his/her defender.

Keep your passing accurate and as simple as possible. Don't attempt some "fancy"
pass when a simple chest or bounce pass will do the job. Keep your passes crisp with
some zip, but not so hard that your teammates cannot catch the ball.
Distribute the ball from side to side using both sides of the court. There will be a natural
tendency for a right-handed player to favor the right side of the court, but you must use
the entire floor to overshift the defense and involve all your teammates.
Pass the ball into the high post (especially if you have a skilled high post player). A lot of
good things can happen when the ball gets into the high post. Passing into the low post
is usually easier from the wing position, but you can occasionally catch the defense
sleeping.

To be a consistent winning team, you must be able to get the ball inside for those low
post shots and lay-ups. You want to get to the free-throw line and get the opponent in
foul trouble. Don't just rely on firing up three-pointers all night.
Avoid pointless dribbling on the perimeter... keep the ball moving. Catch the ball in triple
threat position and don't prematurely give up your dribble.
Look for your own shot too or otherwise the defense will not have to play you seriously.
Look for the outside shot, but also be able to beat your defender with a drive into the
paint. When you penetrate, you cause problems for the defense if you can hit the little
pull-up jumper just inside the arc in the paint, or if you can dish the ball to an open low
post player (whose man has come up to defend you).
Now here's where communication comes in again. Usually the point guard has primary
responsibility for being back on defense and preventing the opponent's fast break, and
will not attack the offensive boards for the rebound. When you dribble penetrate, you
must have an understanding with either the #2 or #3 (wing) player that he/she will stay
back out on top to prevent the fast break.
A little tip against zone defenses... realize that zone defense is most effective for the
first 15 seconds. If you make a few quick passes, reverse the ball, and get the zone to
move, it will often shift out of position. Then when you see the openings, attack the gaps
with either a good pass, or dribble penetration.
Control the Tempo
A good point guard knows how to control the pace or tempo of the game, and how his
coach wants the tempo. You must know whether your team is better as a fast-breaking
team, or better as a slow-down team. And this can change depending on which
teammates are on the floor.
If you have your big, slower guys in there, and if they are in a little foul trouble, and you
have the lead, you might want slow things down for a few possessions. If you've got
your speedy guards in there, pick up the pace.
If your team looks tired after a couple fast trips up and down the court, slow it down a
little for a couple possessions. You can rest on offense, but never on defense.
Momentum is a big factor too. If your team is really "on a roll", keep things moving.
For teams that like to run, after the defensive rebound, get the outlet pass and quickly
push the ball up the floor as fast as you can with either the dribble or a pass. Keep your

eyes focused ahead and see the whole floor. This puts more pressure on the defense,
and you can sometimes get easy shots in transition, before the defense is set up.
But to quote Coach Wooden, "Be quick, but never hurry." You must always be in
control... you must be in control of the ball, your emotions, your body, and be in control
of the game itself. Being in control with the ball and body means you have to be a good,
strong, confident ball-handler and dribbler, and know how to jump-stop.

When pushing the fast break, if you realize the opponent has gotten back successfully
in the paint, stop the fast-break and dribble it back out on top and start your half-court
offense.

Hunt the Paint

A good point guard can attack the open seam in the defense and get into the paint for a
lay-up, a jump-stop and pull-up jump-shot, a pass to a post player inside, or a kick-out
pass to an open perimeter player. It's great if you can shoot the three-pointer well, but
getting into the paint is key when the game is on the line... you can get the higher
percentage inside shot, or get fouled and go to the free-throw line. So you must be a
good free-throw shooter too.
In seeking the paint, you must be able to expect and absorb contact... you're going to
get bumped in there and you must be tough, expect the contact and learn to finish in
spite of it. Like any other basketball skill, this takes some practice. Even in the paint,
you must be in control... use a strong jump stop if the lay-up is not there... and a shot
fake.
Get the defender in the air. When attacking the paint, keep your eyes on the rim as this
makes the defense guard you (making other teammates open), and gives you a better
chance of finishing. Don't go in there every time, just to pass... be a threat to score.

Know the Game Situation

Know the game, score and clock situation at all times. Read this page, the last several
paragraphs, about strategies on how to end a quarter/half, and end of the game
strategies... see GameCoaching.html

Dealing with Full-Court Pressure

When faced with a full-court press, you must be aggressive with your cut and "want" the
inbounds pass. You are the team's best ball-handler and passer and their best chance
for successfully getting the ball up the floor. Be confident and strong with the ball.

Expect some contact and you might get to the free-throw line. Remember, it is not easy
for the defense to steal the ball from you as long as you stay calm, stay out of the
corners (where they can trap you), pass rather than trying to dribble through the doubleteam, and keep the ball in the middle of the floor or reverse it to the weak side.
In a full-court press, the defenders are mostly positioned on the ball-side of the floor, so
a quick reversal to the opposite side will usually beat it. Also, after passing off to another
teammate (when the press traps you), cut and try to get the next pass right back again.
Often after the first or second pass is made, the press is beaten.

Leadership, Attitude
I like a point guard who is confident and a little "feisty" -- who is able to grab his/her
teammates and say, "C'mon, let's go!". Be pro-active and learn to anticipate game
situations. It doesn't help much to yell at a teammate after the defensive error has
already been committed... instead, anticipate that the opponent will probably go to their
best shooter on the next possession and pro actively tell his defender something like,
"They're gonna go to your guy, John... be ready."
You are the leader on the floor and the team will follow your example. Most often your
offense starts with you, and you are the first line of defense when the opponent comes
up the floor. If you meet their point guard in an aggressive manner on defense, your
teammates with pick up on that and play hard too.

As a team leader, you must be willing to work harder than anyone else in practice so as
to "lead by example". You must try to get along well with all your teammates and be a
"peace-maker". Don't allow players to belittle each other (often done in a joking, but still
hurtful, way). Be a leader in promoting team spirit and unity. Make the younger
teammates and those teammates who get less playing time feel important too, that they
are contributing also.
Skills Necessary to be a Good Point Guard
1. Passing and faking skills
A good point guard must be clever and know how to pass-fake, shot-fake, fake with feet
(jab steps), eyes, know how to change speeds, etc. You must also be an excellent
passer (see Passing). Practice your "no-look" passes as much as your shooting.
2. Dribbling
You must be a good ball-handler, but you don't have to be the most awesome dribbler in
the world. Magic Johnson was not the most awesome dribbler, but he could handle the
ball very well, was very intelligent and an excellent passer, and one of the greatest
players and greatest point guards ever to play the game.

You can be a very good point guard if you play under control, play smart, are able to
dribble with either hand (with head and eyes forward), have a good crossover dribble,
and an around-the-back dribble. See "Dribbling", "Stationary Dribbling Drills"
3. 1-on-1 moves
Learn to beat your man off the dribble, take it into the paint and shoot the short jumper
or dish off. Practice and get good at finishing lay-ups under pressure, in traffic.
See Perimeter Moves. The "in and out" and the "hesitation" moves are a good
ones for attacking the defender in transition.
4. Outside shooting
It is another bonus if you can hit the outside shot too. See "Learning How to Shoot",
"Shooting Drills"
5. Free-throw shooting
You will get fouled when attacking the paint, or late in the game when the opponent has
to foul to stop the clock. So you must be a confident free-throw shooter. See "FreeThrow Shooting".
6. Handling full-court pressure - beating the press
Have good court vision, see the floor, and see the defense. Make good decisions...
when to attack with the dribble, when to pass. First get open and get the ball... get open
for the outlet pass off a rebound, or for the inbounds pass after a score.
Attack with speed and quickness but always stay under control and avoid turnovers.
Look up court for a pass to an open teammate. Avoid traps and learn how to escape
from traps. Show confidence and leadership.
7. Conditioning
You may have to play most of the game so be in excellent physical, aerobic condition by
the very first practice session.
8. Defense
A good point guard shows leadership on the defensive end and can "rally the troops" to
tighten things up. Work on your on-ball defense, and your ability to stop dribblepenetration. You will also get ball-screened, so learn how defend the pick and roll.
Defend without fouling... this is very important. We can't have our point guard sitting on
the bench most of the game in foul trouble.
9. Intangibles
As discussed above... leadership, communication, court vision, time and game
management, controlling tempo, decision making, etc.

There's a lot to learn, but to me, the point guard position is by far the most fun and
challenging position to learn to play.

PASSING

Basketball Fundamentals - the Art of Passing

By James Gels, from the Coachs Clipboard Basketball Playbook,
@ http://www.coachesclipboard.net

Remember the line, "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?" For this topic, it's "Where
have you gone Magic Johnson?" Magic was a great, unselfish TEAM player who may
have been the greatest passer of all time (although John Stockton was pretty good too).
Television focuses on watching the pros doing their one-on-one moves and slam dunks.
Kids see this too. Team skills and delivering the perfectly timed and accurate pass aren't
as flashy. Besides, who wants to do passing drills... everyone finds them boring, both
players and coaches.

On the other hand, excellent passing is the essence of outstanding team play, and it is
really fun to watch a perfectly timed and delivered pass for an easy lay-up (or dunk).
Poor passing and turnovers will kill your offense quicker than anything. A bad pass
results in a turnover, no shot taken and an opportunity to score is lost. Players must
become better passers and we coaches must continue to find ways to teach them to
become better passers.
Passing seems very easy when you have two players facing each other practicing chest
passes or bounce passes. But put a defender on each one of them, and it becomes
really difficult. So, I think that once you get beyond the early formative stages in a
player's development, you must do passing drills with defenders involved to simulate
game situations.
Also, I think passing drills that involve players passing and catching on the move are
better than stationary drills, since seldom in a game do you pass to someone standing
still.

Passing fundamentals

A good pass is one that is caught by the receiver. Successful passing involves two
parts, making the pass and receiving the pass. The receiver should have "soft" (relaxed)
hands, catch the ball with both hands and look the ball into his/her hands. The receiver
should, in most cases, be moving toward the pass... "meet the pass".
Most of the time, the receiver should not be stationary. The receiver must learn to get
open by making V-cuts and back-cuts, and setting screens for other teammates and
then sealing the defender and "rolling" off those screens (see Cutting and
Faking, Setting Screens). A receiver should always know where the ball is.
A big part of passing is making correct decisions with the ball. Make the simple
pass, the easiest pass that will get the job done. Don't make a crazy behind the back
pass just to be "flashy", when a simple chest or bounce pass will work.
Now there are times when a properly executed, behind the back pass is the correct
pass to make (e.g. 2-on-1 break with the defender right in front overplaying you on the
ball side), but we don't make that pass to be "flashy"... we make it because is the
easiest and the correct pass in that situation.
If a defender is in the passing lane, you don't force the pass. You should not pass into
the defense, or "into a crowd" where your receiver is surrounded by defenders... sounds
obvious but I see it all the time. Pass away from the defense. We use the phrase "see
the defense".
Do not pass into a situation where your receiver is not in a good position to receive the
ball. An example of this would be passing up the floor against a press where your
receiver has his/her back turned away from the hoop and there is a defender coming up
on the blind side.
This next point is very important. A good passer knows how to open the passing
lanes by making a fake in one direction, and then passing the opposite direction.
Legendary former coach Bob Knight has said that two of the most important and undertaught fundamentals are the pass-fake and the shot-fake.
We use the phrase, "fake a pass to make a pass." Making a ball fake, head bob, pass
fake, or just looking the opposite direction ("looking the defender off") will often open
the desired passing lane. Do not look right at your receiver or "telegraph" your passes.
Use your peripheral vision and keep your eyes forward and know where your
teammates are at all times. Bad passes can result from dribbling with your head down,

and then at the end of the dribble, making a quick pass... often to a defender who slips
into the passing lane.
A good passer knows how to deliver the ball with "touch"... that is, with just the right
velocity and angle to make it an easy catch for the receiver. A pass can be in the perfect
location, but if it is too hard, it is uncatchable by your teammate and you lose the ball. If
your pass is too soft and easy, the defense can intercept it.
You must learn to "anticipate"... that is, pass the ball to where your teammate will soon
be, not where he/she is right now. You must lead the receiver, and not pass behind
him/her. Good passing involves timing and communication between the passer and
receiver. That's why it really is not an easy skill to master because it involves two
players working together.
Both the passer and the receivers must learn to read the defense. Learn to "drive and
dish" where you make a penetrating dribble move, but then at the last moment when
you have drawn the defense to you, you either make the bounce pass to a post player
under the hoop, or you kick it out to the wing or corner for a three-pointer.
Just like shooting, you must be under control when you make a pass. You should be
balanced with both feet on the floor. When speed-dribbling down the floor on a fastbreak, keep your eyes forward and stay under control so you can deliver the pass to the
open teammate at the precise, correct moment.
I see the following subtle passing error made occasionally on the fast break. The player
speed-dribbling the ball up the floor, when making the final pass on the break, will
sometimes at the end of the dribble bring the ball back on the hip to get more velocity
on the pass.
A hustling defender comes up from behind and pokes the ball loose from the passer it
usually goes out-of-bounds, but you have lost a chance to score a lay-up. When making
this pass, keep the ball in front of you.
Don't get into the habit of jumping when you pass. If you jump when you pass, you have
no other option but to pass, and if the defense closes the passing lane while you are
airborne, you're in trouble.

See these 10 passing tips that will help you become a good passer and help you
avoid passing turnovers.
Let's take a few specific instances:
Point Guard to Wing pass
The wing player should first make a V-cut and the passer should time the pass for when
the receiver breaks back out of the V-cut. If the defender is back off the wing player,
pass the ball right into his/her numbers, or on your teammate's side toward the hoop, so
that he/she is immediately is position to release the shot.
If the pass is made to the outside, the receiver must first pivot and square up before
he/she can shoot. Now, if the defender is up closer, make the pass to the outside of
your teammate. If the defender is in the passing lane, your teammate should make a
back-cut to get open... if not, he/she has no shot and you should look to pass
elsewhere, or make a move yourself. Another point... the pass to the backcut can be a
pass straight to your cutting teammate, or often a nice bounce pass leading the receiver
will do the job here.

Perimeter Passing
Contrary to what is often taught, the chest pass is not real good here. To make a chest
pass, you must have a clear passing lane directly in front of you. If the defender is in
front of you, a pass that comes from your chest area is easily deflected. Use either the
lateral pass or the two-handed overhead pass.

In making the lateral pass, you fake opposite and then cross your opposite foot (the foot
which is away from the direction of the pass) in front of you and step in the direction of
the pass. You deliver the pass with some "zip" on it so it cannot be intercepted.
For example, if you want to pass to the right, you make a fake to the left and then cross
your left foot over in front of you while pivoting on your right foot and make the pass to
the right. This is almost like a chest pass except the pass is not released from the
center chest area, but more from your side.
The two-handed overhead pass
This pass is often used as an outlet pass off a rebound, or for a "skip" pass (a crosscourt pass over a zone defense). It can also be used to quickly move the ball around the
perimeter. Your target is your teammate's head... a little higher than the chest. In making
this pass, do not bring the ball back behind your head keep it straight up (or slightly in
front) and over your head.

Passing into the Post

Timing is very important here. The pass should be made as the post player is coming
into his/her post position. A bounce pass is usually most effective and easiest to catch.
Once the ball is on the wing, the pass to the low post should be made quickly before the
defense is set.
The passer should be able to clear the passing lane by making a good fake, and should
also learn how to make the "step-around" bounce-pass (fake an overhead pass, and
with the non-pivot foot make a long stride around the defender to improve the passing
angle. Pass from and to the side away from the post defender.
If the post defender is half-fronting on the baseline side, make the pass from the high
side, and perhaps even take one quick dribble up for a better passing angle from the
high side. If the post defender is half-fronting from the lane side, make the pass from the
low, baseline side.

When the low post is fronted, a lob pass over the top can be attempted, but only if your
post player has a clear advantage... this pass is often unsuccessful.
Passing Drills
See the menu of standard passing drills on this web-site. In addition, I would incorporate
passing drills where defense is played against the pass. Passing is easy and boring with
no defenders involved.
It becomes a very difficult skill once defenders are in place. Drills that involve players
passing and catching on the move are better than stationary drills, since seldom in a
game do you pass to someone standing still.
You can design your own simple drills. One would be to practice the pass from point
to wing and back, using one or two defenders. Teach the V-cut and back-cut.
Teach the point guard how to make a nice leading bounce pass to the back-cutter.
Another drill practices the wing to low post pass using two defenders. Teach the
passer how to fake and open the passing lane and how to make the "step-around"
bounce pass (see above). He/she must also recognize the correct target.
If the defender is playing on the baseline side, make the pass to your teammate's hip on
the lane side. If the defender is playing on the lane side, put the pass on your
teammate's baseline hip. You can also front the low post and practice the lob pass "over
the top".

Another drill is to put your offense in a half-court set against a man-to-man

defense, and have them pass against this defense... no dribbling allowed,
unless it is a one or two bounce dribble to attack the hoop, or a drive and dish.
After five possessions, switch offense and defense. Make sure your receivers are
making good V-cuts or back-cuts and they come to the ball when receiving. Here also is
an opportunity to stress the importance of setting good screens. All passes are caught
with two hands with the receiver in triple threat position.
Also practice passing against various zones, again with no dribbling... get them
to move the ball quickly in order to over-shift the zone. Use the two-handed overhead
pass and skip passes. Get them to recognize the gaps in the zone.
Use the bounce pass into the post, and make good inside passes. Not only do these
drills help your passing, but also help your team to learn how to break zone defenses
down... and it's a lot more fun than just doing simple partner passing drills.
Another drill in transition would be to simply run your press-breaker against a press
defense, and allow no dribbling.

DRIBBLING
Dribbling is one of the most fundamental skills that must be learned. Not only is it
important to learn how to dribble well, but it is important to know when, and when not, to
dribble. One player who over-dribbles can kill a team's offensive motion and
momentum. To become a good dribbler and ball handler, you must practice dribbling as
often as you can, using both hands.
You may dribble:
1. To advance the ball up the court.
2. To drive to the hoop.
3. To get open for a shot.
4. To open up a passing lane, to have a better chance of completing a pass.
5. To get out of a trap.
6. To kill the clock at the end of a game.
How to Dribble
Use your fingertips, not the palms of your hands.. Basketball is played on the tips of
your fingers and the balls of your feet. Use your forearm and wrist to bounce the ball.
Don't look at the ball... keep your head up and eyes forward. You must learn to use

either hand. So when doing drills, always work both hands.

"Control Dribble" (when the defender is up close on you)

When a defender is guarding you closely, you should use the "control dribble". Keep
in a somewhat crouched, bent over position. Keep your body between the ball and the
defender. Keep the ball low to the floor, behind and close to your body. Keep your other
arm straight out in front of you, as a guard against the defender.
You can't push off, or grab the defender, but you can keep a "stiff-arm" to keep the
defender from reaching around you. Do not stop your dribble until you can either pass
or shoot. Once you stop your dribble, you are "dead in the water" (a boat with no
engine)... and the sharks (the double team) will close in on you soon. (show
video)...

"Speed Dribble" (in the open court)

To move the ball quickly down the floor use the "speed dribble". Push the ball forward,
ahead of you several feet. Bounce the ball at least waist high. As always, keep your
head up, and visualize the whole court, so you can find the open teammate.
Move as fast as you can, but never faster than you can control the ball. You must
always be in control. As Coach Wooden has said, "You must be quick, but never hurry."
Often a jump stop at the end of the speed dribble will allow you to maintain control and
avoid a traveling call (see Learning the Jump Stop). (show video)...

Crossover Dribble
Simply, the crossover dribble has you switch dribbling from one hand to the other, by
bouncing the ball in front of you across to the other side. Then the other hand picks up
the ball and you are now dribbling with the opposite hand.
You can use this dribble to quickly change your direction on the court. For example, you
could be on the point, dribbling with your right hand to the right wing, then suddenly
crossover the dribble to the left and drive up the lane. (show video)... Here's another
cross-over video (show video)...

In and Out Dribble

The "in and out" dribble is a good fake move to help you get around a defender and
take it to the hoop. With this move, you make one bounce in front of you as if you were
going to crossover, but instead of picking the ball up with your other hand, you just roll
your dribbling hand over the top of the ball, and bring it sharply back and go hard
around the defender. For example, if you are dribbling right-handed, make one dribble
to the left in front of you and "dip" and put your weight on your left foot. To the defender,
this looks like you will crossover and go left. Instead, roll your right hand over the top of
the ball and bring it back quickly to the right, push off the left foot, and go hard around
the right side of your opponent. (show video)...

Hesitation Dribble ("Rocker Move")

This is another fake move to help you get around the defender in the open court. You
speed dribble up to the defender, then suddenly come to a stop by putting your inside
foot forward and "rocking" backward onto your outside foot. Then as the defender
closes, you blow around his side, resuming the speed dribble, straight to the hoop. For
example, you are speed dribbling with your right hand. As you approach the defender,
you stop suddenly by putting your left foot forward, and then rocking back on the right
foot. This hesitation throws the defender's timing off. Then push hard off the right foot,
and speed dribble around his right side. You can also use this move and combine it with
a crossover dribble and go hard left. (show video)...

Behind the Back Dribble, Through the Legs Dribble

You used to be considered a "hot dog" if you dribbled behind your back, or through your
legs. But not any more! These moves are very useful when used correctly, in the right
situations. A good use for these dribbles is in the open court, such as a guard bringing
the ball down the floor against pressure from a defender. As you are dribbling right with
your right hand, the defender gets position and over-plays you to the right. Quickly, you
do a behind the back, or between the legs dribble to crossover to the other hand, and
change your direction to the left, leaving your defender in the dust! Why not just do an
easier crossover dribble? -- because the defender is right in front of you and could steal
the crossover. By going behind the back, or through the legs, you can better protect the
ball by keeping your body between the ball and the defender.
To do the behind the back dribble, dribble the ball once behind you and pick up the
dribble with the opposite hand. For example, you are dribbling with the right hand. Get
your body ahead of the ball on your right side, then crossover bounce it once behind
you over to the left hand. (show video)...
The between the legs move is similar, except with one bounce through the legs to
the other hand. (show video)...
Spin Move
The spin move is an excellent move to get around a defender in the open court. But be
careful of a defender stealing the ball from behind, on your "blind side" as you make the
spin. When making the spin, reverse pivot (spin) on your front foot, and pull the ball
hard and quickly around your body. Don't let your hand get under the ball (a "carrying"
violation). Then continue the dribble with the opposite hand. (show video)...

Back-up Dribble and Crossover

The back-up dribble is useful in retreating from a defender or a trap. Dribble backwards
and then do a quick crossover dribble (or a through the legs dribble or around the back
dribble) to get free. (show video)...
Have your players practice each of these dribbles at each practice for 5-10 minutes.
Have them line-up along the sideline, and dribble from sideline to sideline right-handed,
and then back left-handed. Do each of the moves down and back twice before moving
onto the next move. See Sideline Dribbling Drills, Dribbling Moves Drill.
Players can also work on these drills at home individually. Set up cones or folding chairs
(see Tight Chairs Dribbling Drills), pretending the cone (or chair) is the defender.
Make your move quickly right in front of the defender. Once you get past the cone (or
chair) turn around and attack it from the opposite direction with your other hand.