How today works

Do each move from Step 1 to Step 4: 3 sets with each hand. Only move up a step when the one before feels easy. Say the cues out loud.

Athletic stance: feet wide, sit like a chair
Pound dribble, right hand, knee high
Pound dribble, left hand, then down to ankle high

Athletic stance (ready position)

 Level 1 of 4 · Beginner

Also called: triple-threat base, low stance

Feet shoulder-width, knees bent, back flat, head up; the base every dribble move starts from.

  1. Step 1Feet wide, sit like a chair, hold 5 s
  2. Step 2Stance + bounce on toes
  3. Step 3Stance, then slide 2 steps each way
  4. Step 4Stance, slide, sprint 3 steps, stop back in stance
CuesSit low; chest up; eyes up
Kid versionMake it 'Statue' game: freeze in stance on 'freeze'
Gear: None; 6 ft

Sources: Online Basketball Playbook: Finishing Moves · General coaching practice (no single source; standard youth drill)

Pound dribble (right / left)

 Level 1 of 4 · Beginner

Also called: power dribble, thump, rhythm dribble

Hard, fast dribble at one height beside the body; the ball should 'pop' back into a spread-finger hand.

  1. Step 1Right hand, knee-high pound x20
  2. Step 2Left hand x20
  3. Step 3Ankle-high pound, each hand
  4. Step 4Pound while counting fingers a coach holds up (eyes up)
CuesFingertips not palm; pound it hard; eyes up
Kid versionSize 4 or 5 youth ball; count out loud
Gear: Ball; 3x3 ftBuilds on: Athletic stance (ready position) (Day 1)

Sources: See The Floor: Dribble Moves glossary · General coaching practice (no single source; standard youth drill)

Ball slaps / finger taps

 Level 1 of 4 · Beginner

Also called: fingertip drill

Slap the ball hand to hand, then tap it fingertip to fingertip in front of the face, waist, knees.

  1. Step 1Ball slaps x10
  2. Step 2Fingertip taps at face
  3. Step 3Taps moving down to knees
  4. Step 4Taps up and down for 20 s
CuesFingers only; fast hands
Kid versionGreat Day-1 warm-up
Gear: Ball; no space

Sources: General coaching practice (no single source; standard youth drill)

Tick the self-check on every move first.

🔥 Streak: 0 day(s) · 0/30 days done on this device

Tomorrow · Day 2 · Level 1 of 4 · Beginner

Pound ladder (high / medium / low): Same pound dribble, switching between shoulder, waist and ankle height on command.

Peek at Day 2 →

After Day 30: the Handles Lab app is coming. Join the waitlist ($29.99 founding price for the first year).