U12 Basketball Curriculum

One Dribble Pull-Up Jumper

Properties1
tagsdrill, shooting, by-yourself, backyard, half-court, intermediate

2 min read

One Dribble Pull-Up Jumper

🎒 Gear Needed: 1 x basketball, 1 ring, 2 cones (optional)
⏱ Suggested Time: 5 - 10 minutes
👥 Participants: Solo (1 player)
📍 Space: Backyard | Half-Court
📊 Difficulty: Intermediate

📝 Instructions

  1. Setup & Stance: Start 4 to 5 metres from the ring on the perimeter (either at the top of the key or on the wing). Drop into a low triple threat stance holding the basketball on your hip.
  2. The Attack Dribble: Execute a quick jab step or head fake. Explode forward off your back foot, taking exactly ONE aggressive, downhill pound dribble diagonally toward the elbow of the key.
  3. The Gather Footwork: As the dribble hits the floor, drop your hips and gather the ball into your shooting pocket using a balanced 1-2 stop:
    • Driving Right: Pound with your right hand, plant your left (inside) foot, then snap your right (outside) foot square to the ring.
    • Driving Left: Pound with your left hand, plant your right (inside) foot, then snap your left (outside) foot square.
  4. Vertical Elevation: Convert your forward momentum into pure upward lift. Elevate straight into the air without drifting forward or sideways, releasing the shot at the apex of your jump.
  5. Repetition Structure: Perform 10 repetitions driving to your right elbow, followed by 10 repetitions driving to your left elbow. Rebound your own shots at game speed.

💡 Coaching Cues

  • Violent Pound Dribble: Dribble the ball hard into the court so it springs directly up into your shooting pocket without requiring you to reach down for it.
  • Stop on a Dime: Plant your feet firmly with low hips to brake forward momentum completely before leaving the floor.
  • Shoulders Square to Ring: Snap your hips and shoulders toward the ring during your gather steps so you are fully aligned before rising.

🔄 Variations & Progressions

  • Make It Easier: Start 3 metres from the ring and execute the drill at 70% pace to lock in the 1-2 gather footwork before adding speed.
  • Make It Harder: Place a cone at the 3-point line and another at the elbow. Spin-pass the ball to yourself, catch, rip past the first cone, execute the one-dribble pull-up, and hit nothing but net.

📺 Video Demonstration