What is dribbling in basketball?

Dribbling is bouncing the ball off the floor with one hand to keep control of it while standing or moving. It lets you travel around the court legally, since you are not allowed to take steps while simply holding the ball.

Why should you push the ball instead of slapping it?

Pushing the ball down with your fingertips gives you a soft, controlled bounce. Slapping it with a flat palm makes the bounce uneven and harder to predict, so the ball is more likely to get away from you.

How high should the ball bounce when you dribble?

Aim for a low bounce that comes back up to about your waist or belly button. A low bounce is easier to control, while a high bounce gives defenders more time to reach in and steal the ball.

Why do coaches tell you to look up while dribbling?

Keeping your eyes up lets you see your teammates, the defenders and the hoop instead of staring at the ball. Good dribblers learn to feel the ball with their hand so they can focus on what is happening around them.

Why is it important to practise dribbling with both hands?

Most people find one hand easier than the other, but being able to dribble with either hand lets you move in any direction and protect the ball from defenders. Practising the weaker hand is what separates strong players from beginners.

Basketball Dribbling Basics

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Basketball dribbling is the skill of bouncing the ball against the floor with one hand to keep control of it while you stand still or move around the court. It is the first thing every basketball player learns, because the rules do not let you walk or run while holding the ball — if you take steps without bouncing it, that is called a 'travel' and the other team gets the ball.

Good dribbling is gentle and controlled. You push the ball down with your fingertips rather than slapping it with a flat palm, and you aim for a low bounce that returns to about waist height, which is much easier to manage than a high one. A balanced 'ready stance' — knees bent, feet apart — keeps you steady and quick to react.

The most important habit is keeping your eyes up instead of staring at the ball, so you can see teammates, defenders and the hoop. Strong players also practise their weaker hand, so they can dribble confidently either way and protect the ball from defenders on both sides.

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Let's dribble!

Basketball Dribbling Basics Dribbling means bouncing the ball with one hand while you stand or move. It's the very first basketball skill — let's learn it together! Tap Next to start. By the end you'll know how to bounce, control, and walk with the ball. 🏀
Push, don't slap

Push the ball down — don't slap it Good dribbling is gentle. You push the ball toward the floor with your fingers, not your flat palm. Slapping makes the ball bounce wild! Try it: tap the button that shows the right way to touch the ball. 🖐️💥Slap with palm 👆🏀Push with fingertips
Keep it low

Bounce it low — around your waist A low bounce is easy to control. Aim for the ball to come back up to about your belly button. Too high and it's hard to keep! Tap STOP when the moving bar is inside the green "just right" zone. STOP
Eyes up!

Look up, not at the ball Great dribblers feel the ball instead of staring at it. Keeping your eyes up lets you see your friends, the hoop, and where to go. Tap the player's eyes to lift their head into the right position.
Ready stance

Bend your knees and stay balanced Before you dribble, get into the ready stance. Tap each glowing part of the player to learn why it helps. Tap a glowing circle ☝️ Found 0 of 3 tips
Dribble to move

Now let's dribble and walk To move with the ball you dribble first, then step. If you walk while holding the ball without bouncing, that's a "travel" — not allowed! Build the correct order. Tap the actions in the right sequence. Take a step Bounce the ball Look up Clear and retry
Practise both hands

Practise with BOTH hands Most kids find one hand easier. The secret of star players? They practise their weaker hand too, so they can dribble either way. A defender is on your right. Which hand should dribble the ball to keep it safe? 🧒 You 🛡️ Defender (right) 🤚Left hand ✋Right hand
You did it!

🏆🏀 You're a dribbler now! Great work — here's everything you learned today. ⭐ Dribbling Champion 1Push, don't slap — use your fingertips. 2Bounce low — around your waist for control. 3Eyes up — feel the ball, watch the court. 4Ready stance — knees bent, feet apart, hand to the side. 5Look, bounce, step — to move without travelling. 6Both hands — keep your body between ball and defender. 🌟 Now grab a ball and try 10 slow bounces with each hand. Practice makes perfect — have fun!

Frequently asked questions

What is dribbling in basketball?: Dribbling is bouncing the ball off the floor with one hand to keep control of it while standing or moving. It lets you travel around the court legally, since you are not allowed to take steps while simply holding the ball.
Why should you push the ball instead of slapping it?: Pushing the ball down with your fingertips gives you a soft, controlled bounce. Slapping it with a flat palm makes the bounce uneven and harder to predict, so the ball is more likely to get away from you.
How high should the ball bounce when you dribble?: Aim for a low bounce that comes back up to about your waist or belly button. A low bounce is easier to control, while a high bounce gives defenders more time to reach in and steal the ball.
Why do coaches tell you to look up while dribbling?: Keeping your eyes up lets you see your teammates, the defenders and the hoop instead of staring at the ball. Good dribblers learn to feel the ball with their hand so they can focus on what is happening around them.
Why is it important to practise dribbling with both hands?: Most people find one hand easier than the other, but being able to dribble with either hand lets you move in any direction and protect the ball from defenders. Practising the weaker hand is what separates strong players from beginners.

Basketball Dribbling Basics

What this Spark covers

Frequently asked questions

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