Equipment Needed
- One basketball per player
- Open space
Every player needs their own ball
A multi-pack of training basketballs means the whole group can dribble at once, no sharing required.
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- Players spread out in an open area, each with a ball, facing the coach.
- Coach stands at the front where everyone can see and hear the calls.
Instructions
- On "green light," players dribble forward under control using either hand.
- On "red light," players stop immediately and hold the dribble without moving their feet.
- Add "yellow light" for a slow, careful dribble in place.
- Any player who travels or loses the ball on a stop does five quick dribbles in place before rejoining.
Coaching Points
- Keep eyes up scanning the room, not down at the ball, even while stopping.
- Stopping under control (not falling forward) is the real skill being taught here.
- Praise players who stop with a low, athletic stance rather than standing straight up.
- This is a great first-five-minutes drill to settle a young group down.
Variation
Call out "switch hands" during green light to add a ball-handling challenge, or have players dribble backward slowly on yellow light.