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Dribble Circle Knockout

Warm-Up 5 min 2+ players

Competitive ball-control warm-up for small groups. Players dribble inside a circle, protect their own ball, and try to knock other players’ balls out of the circle.

Court diagram: Dribble Circle Knockout basketball drill

Instructions

  1. Place 3 to 5 players inside the circle, each with a ball
  2. Players dribble continuously inside the circle
  3. Players protect their own ball while trying to knock away another player’s ball
  4. If a player loses control or gets pushed out of the circle, award a point and reset them or have them step out based on the format

Coaching Points

  • Keep the dribble controlled and below the waist
  • Use the body and arm to shield the ball
  • Keep eyes up to track nearby players
  • Stay balanced when reaching for another player’s ball

Variations

  • Run it as a team exercise in a larger area.
  • Add “tails” by tucking a pinnie or towel into each player’s shorts. Players protect their ball while trying to pull another player’s tail.

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