Game version
Dribble dance: put on a song and dribble until it stops, then freeze with the ball. A partner can pause the music, and everyone keeps playing.
Pound Dribbles
Hard, low dribbles with each hand to learn to control the ball with your fingertips.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand in a low stance with your feet wide.
Core: Both hands. Beat your own best run without losing the ball.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Small room
- Bring
- Basketball
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Ball Handling
The steps
How it works
- Stand in a low stance with your feet wide.
- Pound the ball hard at knee height with your right hand for 30 seconds.
- Switch to your left hand for 30 seconds.
- Do 3 rounds and count clean dribbles each round.
Coaching point
Fingertips, not palms.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (strong hand), Core (both hands), More (eyes up while a partner shows you a number to call). Beat your own best run without losing the ball.
Story
You are a magician with a ball on an invisible string.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best run without losing the ball. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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