Types of Dribble

The two types of dribble are as follows:

* Low or Controlled Dribble
* High or Speed Dribble

To mater the art of dribbling, you musts not only learn these skills, but also spend ore hours practicing them. Dribbling skills must become so familiar that you will be able to execute the maneuvers perfectly without thinking. In other words, your skills must become in-conditioned. In the game situation, you must be able to react without hesitation. You should practice each drill first for perfect form, rhythm and finally for speed. Mechanical drills will help you to your dribbling skills if you do them regularly. They are designed to improved form, rhythm, timing, speed, strength, and stamina.

However, it should be noted that the lower the dribble the more you protect the ball from the opposition. The controlled dribble is done close to the body, and and your knees and waist should be well bent. The higher dribble is best used when running at high speed. The ball is bounced considerably further away from the body, which is fairly correct while running.

There are two general areas a dribbler must master:

* The mechanical or individual dribbling skills
* The mental or conceptual aspects of dribbling; dribbling with a purpose

As far as dribbling mechanics are concerned, you must be totally confident in your ability to:

* Execute each of the skills with either hand
* Keep your head up and protect the ball from the defense
* Make quick moves and changes of direction and pace while dribbling
* Pass and shoot well off the dribble
* Keep the dribble alive ( do not pick up or stop your dribble) until you can shoot or pass the ball to a teammate.

Low or Controlled Dribble

The low dribble is used to protect the basketball from the nearby defender. The lower the dribble, the closer the ball is to your body and the more you control it with your wrist and fingers. It is used whenever the player is closely guarded. This type of dribbling simply entails keeping the ball low to the floor and in player's control. The ball is dribbled on the side of the body away from the defender. The palm of the dribbling hand is kept over the ball.

Points of Emphasis:

1. Your head is up.

2. The ball is controlled by your wrist and fingertips.

3. Your joints are bent, especially your knees, waist, and elbow keeping the ball close to your body and under control.

4. Your dribble should be in smooth rhythm.

5. Dribbling is a rhythmic activity. You should always be able to feel a musical rhythm and timing in your hand as you dribble.

High or Speed Dribble

The speed dribble is used in the open court while running. It must be mastered with either hand, with the head up at all times and under enough control so that stops, changes of pace, and changes of directions are possible according to the situation. The speed dribble is executed by bouncing the ball farther in front of you as you increase your running speed. It involves a higher bounce as you increase your foot speed.The higher the dribble, the more arm and shoulder action is required to control the ball.

Points of Emphasis:

1. The ball must be pushed farther in front of you on the bounce as you increase your running speed.

2. The Faster the dribble, the higher the bounce. At full speed, the ball should bounce to your upper chest, and you should be using considerable shoulder and arm movement to control the dribble.