Here is something great for coaches, parents, and players...

So I like to do dribble tag/knockout variations with my players at my practices and workouts.

To the people casually watching the practice, this might just look like a fun game.

However, to me, it's so much more...

It teaches players to:

• Keep their heads up and scan the floor
• Dribble with both hands
• Change pace
• Speed dribble
• Stop and go
• Back up dribble
• How to use different change of direction dribbles (crossover, behind back, between legs)
• How to be evasive and elusive
• Be creative and solve problems
• Experiment with new moves

And even the moves and problem solving that the players come up with can shock you at times!

Recently, I saw a crazy dribble move by a 4th grader named Reid. Probably one of the best moves I ever saw during a dribbling drill for someone his age.

Reid had two players closing in on him from his right and his left. He had absolutely nowhere to go.

I was expecting him to stop and back up... even though it was still likely he'd get trapped because he was near a corner and the other players would knock Reid's ball away.

So out of nowhere, Reid lets out a yell and sprints kamikaze-style towards the trap.

When he gets about 2 feet from each player, he leaps and splits the trap in mid-air while simultaneously crossing the ball over from his right hand to his left hand.

He landed a few feet in front of both defenders while maintaining his dribble... and escaped the pressure.

While I try not to act like a fan during practice, I couldn't help but yell, "Whoa! That was awesome."

Now, am I going to start teaching a run-and-jump crossover move to players? No. Probably not.

But when you put players in different environments where they are free to experiment and make mistakes, they can be super creative with their problem solving skills... and do some pretty awesome things!

And even come up with solutions that you couldn't predict or think of.

People with an understanding of Game-Based Drills and the Constraints Led Approach (CLA) are probably nodding their heads.

While I don't think Game-Based Drills and the CLA are the end all and be all...

I do believe understanding Game-Based Drills and CLA will help you add more tools to your coaching and training toolbox to better develop players.

If you'd like to learn more about the CLA and Game-Based approaches, here are some great resources:

50 Game-Based Drills Training System with Nate Sanderson - Plenty of 2-player, 3-player, and 4-player drills for practices, workouts, or fun play in the driveway... and all skill levels.

The 21st Century Basketball Practice by Brian McCormick - One of the best resources for explaining different coaching and training methodologies.

And for players looking to be placed in similar environments where they can learn and have the freedom to make mistakes and be creative, check out our:

2024 Breakthrough Basketball Camps for Boys and Girls - Spring & Summer

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First

Leave a Comment Name : Email (not published) : Five plus seventeen is equal to?  (Prevents Spam) Answer :  Load New Question Comments : Leave this Blank :