Stationary dribble: fundamental movement skill

Stationary dribbling is a manipulative skill that involves applying a pushing force to an object and immediately receiving and pushing it again.  The child contacts the ball with one hand at about waist level.  They push the ball with their fingertips, not the palm of the hand.  The child maintains control of the ball for at least four consecutive bounces, without moving their feet to retrieve the ball. A common error that children experience with stationary dribbling is slapping the ball with an open palm.  A correction and verbal cue to address this common error could include instructing children to use their fingers rather than their palm.  Instructing children to use spider fingers will encourage use of the fingertips.

Mark a line a metre or two from a hoop, bucket or box. Ask the children to stand in a line behind the line, and take turns to bounce a ball. After the child makes four bounces, ask them to shoot the ball toward the hoop, bucket or box.  Adjust the distance between the line and the hoop, bucket or box according to the skill level of the children. Remember to concentrate on having fun, not making it a contest.