Top 10 Dribbling Mistakes Youth Basketball Players Make—and How to Fix Them
Quick Coaching Tips for Youth Teams
Don’t Slap the Ball – Push the ball down with your fingertips, not your palm.
Stay Low – Get into a wide stance, knees bent, butt down. Low players win.
Snap the Wrist and Elbow – Use both to control the ball and keep it bouncing strong.
Float the Dribble – Let the ball sit in your hand briefly to increase control.
Avoid Carries – Keep your hand on top or the side of the ball—not underneath.
Look Up When You Can – It’s okay to look down while learning, but practice with eyes up.
Don’t Be a Statue – Get your feet moving! Stationary drills are great—but not enough.
Use Both Hands – Practice equally with your weak hand.
Change Speed and Height – Vary dribble speed and ball height to confuse defenders.
Footwork Matters – Good dribbling includes coordinated, purpose-driven footwork.
Dribbling is a foundational skill in basketball, especially for youth players just starting their development. But most beginners fall into the same traps. If you're a coach working with youth basketball players, recognizing and correcting these common dribbling mistakes can transform your team’s ability to handle pressure, create space, and control tempo.
1. Dribbling with the Palm Instead of Fingertips
One of the most fundamental dribbling mistakes youth players make is using their palms. When players slap the ball with their palm, they lose control and precision. Instead, teach them to dribble with their fingertips. The fingertips provide better grip, faster responsiveness, and the ability to control direction changes quickly. Use fingertip dribbling drills to build strength and control.
2. Standing Too Tall
Young players often dribble while standing straight up, which leads to slow movement, less control, and easy steals. Coaches must emphasize the "low man wins" principle. Players should bend their knees, lower their hips, and keep their back straight while dribbling. Not only does this improve control, but it also helps players be quicker and more explosive.
3. Weak Snap from Wrist and Elbow
Without proper power from the wrist and elbow, dribbles become soft and unthreatening. Players must learn to snap the wrist and elbow together to generate a strong bounce. This is especially important when dribbling low or through tight spaces. Coaches should run drills that focus on low, powerful dribbles with high ball-on-hand time.
4. No Dribble Float or Hang Time
The float dribble allows a player to momentarily hold the ball in their hand during the bounce cycle. This makes it easier to read the defense and decide between a crossover, drive, or shot. Many youth players either rush their dribble or don’t float it long enough to maintain control. Work on drills that emphasize grip, relax, and re-grip timing.
5. Illegal Carrying Technique
Players often develop a bad habit of scooping under the ball, especially when trying to change direction. Not only is this a violation (carrying), but it also creates bad mechanics. Make sure players know to keep their hand on top or on the side of the ball during crossovers and moves. Introduce moves like the In-and-Out or Hesitation Dribble early, with proper hand positioning.
6. Looking Down Constantly
Yes, it’s okay for beginners to look at the ball while learning a new move—but make it clear this is a temporary phase. Long term, players must learn to keep their heads up to see the court. Use cones or visual targets during drills to train peripheral vision and court awareness.
7. Too Much Stationary Work
While stationary drills are excellent for building control and warm-up routines, they shouldn't be the only thing your players do. Basketball is a dynamic game. Movement matters. Get players used to dribbling on the move, using footwork variations, and changing directions. Start with simple walking dribble drills and build to live game-like scenarios.
8. Poor Footwork Timing
Even if the hands are doing the right thing, bad footwork ruins the dribble. Players must sync their dribble with their feet. A good rule of thumb: the ball hits the ground just before or as the opposite foot lands. This keeps rhythm and balance. Teach your players to think of their feet and dribble as one coordinated system.
9. Always Dribbling the Same Way
Predictability kills ball handling. If a player always dribbles at the same speed, height, and rhythm, defenders lock in. Encourage your team to mix in high and low dribbles, quick and slow, and to vary the angles and timing of their footwork. Use cone drills and footwork patterns to build this variability.
10. Playing Too Safe
Beginners are often afraid to mess up. But safe dribbling doesn’t create separation or scoring chances. Teach your players that mistakes are part of growth. Have them push themselves in drills—dribble faster than they're comfortable with, try harder moves, and embrace failure as a learning tool.
Bonus: Encourage Experimentation
Great ball handlers like Kyrie Irving and Allen Iverson weren’t afraid to try new things. Let your players explore movement, create combos, and find their style. Structured drills are important—but so is freedom.
Whether you're a first-year coach or a seasoned vet, use this guide as a foundation to help your players eliminate bad dribbling habits and build strong fundamentals. Dribbling is more than bouncing a ball—it's body control, timing, creativity, and confidence. Master those, and your team won’t just protect the ball—they’ll control the game.
