Let me start by saying I’m not good at basketball. I’d rate myself at maybe an 8th-grade varsity level, and that’s being generous. Anyway, have you ever played 1v1 with someone who says, “No, no, no, you can only dribble three times!” When you ask why, they hit you with, “It teaches you to be more creative and efficient with the ball!”
I think that’s dumb. Being 5’6” on a good day, I’ve experienced every disadvantage short people have in basketball. The older I get and the less athletic I become, those disadvantages only get more obvious. Here are three reasons why the three-dribble limit is stupid and inherently biased against short players.
Covering Ground
Tall players cover way more ground with fewer dribbles. If you’re built like Kevin Durant, one of your steps equals two of mine. A tall player can get from the three-point line to the rim in two long strides. I have to take three, four, maybe five. Sure, you can take as many steps as you want between dribbles, so theoretically I could dribble once, take four steps, and dribble again to cover extra ground. But in that time, I’m not “controlling” the ball. Someone could easily steal it.
Creating Space
Short players rely on quickness and creativity to get open shots. Crossovers, hesitation moves, sudden bursts of speed. All of those moves take dribbles. Limiting dribbles cuts off the tools shorter players need to level the playing field. Without those moves, how are short people supposed to get a shot off? Am I supposed to back you down, spin, and shoot a fadeaway over the guy who’s five inches taller than me? You ever see Steph Curry post up? Rarely.
Shooting Disadvantage
Short players have to shoot at a much higher angle simply because they’re lower to the ground. The ball has to travel farther vertically, which means more arc and more effort. Tall players don’t have to think about this. Their release point is already closer to the rim, so their shots naturally have a flatter trajectory. When short players drive for a layup, they have to shoot upwards and in. Tall players just place the ball against the glass and let it drop. For anyone who’s never experienced this, try shooting on a nine-foot rim. You don’t have to add any arc to your shots, and you’ll never smoke a layup because the vertical element is practically gone. So not only do we have to deal with that, but now we can only dribble three times?
Long story short, I feel like playing 1v1 with a 3-dribble limit is basically stacking the cards against people who are already at a disadvantage and that’s why I think its dumb. A more reasonable rule that simulates an actual game situation would be a 10-second possession.
By the way, if you want a good basketball, buy this.
Dislcaimer: I get a commission off Amazon links which is why they’re shamelessly plugged into my articles.