Andrew Pace
Developing faster handles in basketball takes time and dedication. While some players may see improvements within a few months of consistent practice, it can take years to become a truly great ball handler. The key to success is to develop a feel for the basketball, improve hand-eye coordination, and build muscle memory through repetitive drills. These drills should be practiced at full speed and in game-like situations to simulate real gameplay. Additionally, focusing on techniques like changing pace, dribbling while moving backward, and crossovers will help improve ball-handling skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to develop faster handles | Years of dedicated practice |
| Importance of drills | Drills are important but should simulate game-like situations |
| Footwork | Footwork is as important as the dribble |
| Practice speed | Practice at full speed, even faster than you can handle |
| Muscle memory | Practice specific moves to program your muscle memory |
| Ball control | Pound the ball hard to gain better control |
| Ball feel | Develop a feel for the basketball |
| Ball handling while moving | Practice ball handling while moving |
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What You'll Learn
Drills for faster hands
Developing faster hands in basketball takes years of dedicated practice. Drills that focus on dribbling at full speed are essential to improving hand speed and ball control. Here are some specific drills and exercises to help you develop faster hands:
Dribbling Drills
Perform a series of dribbling exercises each day, focusing on speed and muscle control. Practice dribbling at game speed, imagining a defender in front of you, reading their feet, and anticipating their movements. Work on specific moves such as behind-the-back dribbles, crossovers, and changing pace to improve your ball-handling skills.
Ball Control
Pound the ball hard and focus on developing good muscle control. Try dribbling at full speed from one end of the court to the other and attempt a lay-up. This will quickly expose any weaknesses in your ball-handling skills, allowing you to identify areas for improvement.
Straight Leg Bounds
This drill helps develop an aggressive hip drive and improve your prime movers, which are the muscles used to power your body forward. Focus on quick ground contact and hang time in the air during this exercise. Straight Leg Bounds are excellent for improving straight-ahead acceleration and developing dynamic control of your body.
Hand Switches
Stand with a basketball cradled between your legs, with one hand in front and the other behind. Rapidly switch the positions of your hands while trying to prevent the ball from touching the floor. Perform 12 reps as fast as you can, improving your athleticism and hand-eye coordination.
Glove Drills
Use gloves with free fingertips to refine your finger and palm technique while dribbling. This drill helps develop sensitivity and control, improving your overall ball handling and feel for the basketball.
Remember, becoming a great ball handler takes time and consistent practice. Incorporate these drills into your training regimen and focus on developing a natural feel for the basketball.
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Passing with the weak hand
Passing with your weak hand is an important skill to develop in basketball. It adds an extra layer to your skillset and makes you a more versatile playmaker. Here are some tips to improve your weak-hand passing:
Drills
Passing drills are a great way to improve your weak hand. Stand about 10 feet away from a wall and practice making chest passes and bounce passes with your weak hand. Focus on speed and accuracy, and try to hit the same spot consistently. You can also use a partner for passing drills, which will help improve your accuracy under pressure. Grab a partner and stand ten feet apart, with your dominant hand behind your back. With one ball, pass and receive only with your weak hand. As you get better, increase the speed and challenge your partner!
One-Handed Passes
Great passing point guards make one-handed passes, and being able to do this with your weak hand makes you a much more effective passer. You won't miss easy scoring chances or turn the ball over.
Finishing
Work on finishing at the basket with your weak hand. Practice getting three makes in a row with your weak hand each time down the court. This will help you develop confidence and range.
Weak-Hand Layups
Layups are frequent scoring opportunities, and strengthening your weak hand for layups will make you unpredictable when driving to the basket. Start with basic layups using your weak hand from different angles, and as you improve, practice at higher speeds or with defenders present.
In-Game Moves
Passing with your weak hand will allow you to keep the ball moving and maintain offensive momentum. It opens up new scoring angles, especially when you're tightly guarded. You can catch the defender off guard by switching to your weak hand when driving to the basket.
Weight Training
Incorporate weak-hand exercises into your weight training routine to build strength and control. A simple warm-up routine that involves dribbling and shooting with both hands will ensure you're working on your weak hand every day.
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Strengthening exercises
Developing faster ball-handling skills in basketball is a journey that requires persistent effort and a positive mindset. While there is no definitive timeline for how long it will take, a good rule of thumb is to allow around six weeks to master the fundamentals of ball handling and then three to six weeks to progress to the game-specific section.
To strengthen your wrists, hands, and fingertips for better ball control and accuracy, try fingertip pushups. This exercise is similar to a traditional pushup, but instead of placing your palms on the ground, you balance on your fingertips. This will help build dexterity and strength in your wrists, fingers, shoulders, chest, and arms. Another simple yet effective wrist-strengthening exercise is the waving goodbye drill. To do this, extend your arms in front of you, forming an "L" shape with each arm, and lock your elbows in place as if you were shooting a basketball. Then, snap your wrists back and forth as quickly as possible for one minute, resembling an aggressive wave.
Ball-handling drills are also essential for improving your skills. Start with basic drills like the figure-eight and the between-the-legs dribble, and then progress to more advanced drills such as the spider dribble, weak-hand dribble, and continuous crossover dribble. These drills will strengthen your wrists and improve your dribbling ability. Additionally, incorporate drills that simulate game scenarios, such as full-court dribbling drills and situational drills, to enhance your court vision and decision-making abilities.
To build strength and explosiveness in your lower body, consider incorporating VertiMax resistance into your training. This added resistance will enable you to accelerate and change direction faster, making you a more agile player on the court. Attach VertiMax resistance bands to your waist and practice various dribbling moves, including crossovers, between-the-legs, and behind-the-back dribbles.
Remember, the key to improving your ball-handling skills is to focus on constant repetition and muscle memory. By regularly practicing these strengthening exercises and ball-handling drills, you will develop the dexterity, control, and speed necessary for faster and more effective ball handling in basketball.
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Dribbling with both hands
While it is commonly believed that dribbling with two hands is against the rules in basketball, there are some nuances to this. Firstly, youth basketball coaches typically teach players to dribble with only one hand, as starting the dribble with two hands is considered a violation of the rules. However, advanced players sometimes use a brief two-handed movement as a sort of shot fake during a hesitation dribble, which can give them an advantage over defenders.
Developing good dribbling skills with both hands requires dedication and practice. It is recommended to spend hours practicing moves at game speed, imagining defensive players in front of you and working on your footwork. You can also try dribbling in various environments, such as your house or on the street, to improve your handling skills. Additionally, performing dribbling exercises for 5-15 minutes each day can help you develop a "feel" for the basketball and improve your muscle memory for specific moves.
It is important to note that developing elite handling skills can take years of practice, and even then, it can be challenging to match the skill level of NBA players. The key is to enjoy the process and focus on improving your skills over time rather than expecting immediate results.
While there is no definitive answer to how long it will take to see drastic results, consistently practicing and trying out your new dribbling skills in pickup games can help you gauge your progress. Additionally, working on your non-dominant hand can help you become ambidextrous, further improving your dribbling abilities.
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Hand size doesn't matter
While having large hands can be advantageous in basketball, a sport centred around ball control, it is not a prerequisite for success. In fact, some players with big hands have struggled with certain aspects of the game, such as free-throw shooting. The key is to learn how to use the tools you have effectively. For example, a player with smaller hands may have a better sense of the ball and be able to execute more precise movements.
Developing good ball-handling skills takes dedication and practice. It is important to develop a "feel" for the basketball, which can be achieved through daily dribbling exercises. These exercises should be performed at game speed and while moving to simulate game conditions. Players can also practice specific moves, such as behind-the-back dribbles, to program their muscle memory and execute these moves instinctively.
Additionally, players can work on their footwork by reading an imaginary defender's feet and hips, which will help improve their overall ball-handling abilities. It is also beneficial to practice dribbling with gloves that have free fingertips, as this can help develop finger and palm control while refining sensitivity.
While hand size may provide certain advantages in basketball, it is not the sole determinant of success. Players with smaller hands can still excel by developing their skills through dedicated practice and learning to utilise their unique attributes effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
It can take years of dedicated practice to become a great ball handler. The time required varies from person to person and can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on the consistency and efficiency of your training.
Here are some tips to improve your basketball handles:
- Develop a feel for the basketball by practicing dribbling drills that are stationary and slow-moving.
- Practice dribbling at game speed while moving.
- Incorporate change-of-pace drills in your dribbling practice.
- Practice dribbling while moving backward to back out of traffic.
- Strengthen your upper body and core to improve ball control and passing accuracy.
- Improve your footwork with speed and agility exercises.
- Use tools like dribbling goggles, cone sets, and gloves to add challenges to your drills.
Some common mistakes to avoid when improving your basketball handles include:
- Looking at the ball while dribbling.
- Relying too heavily on one hand.
- Neglecting to use your body and non-dribbling arm to protect the ball.
- Spending too much time on drills that don't simulate game-like situations.
One indication that you have good basketball handles is when the ball sticks to your palm, allowing you to maneuver it in the air without carrying it. You know you have good handles when you can drive from one end of the court to the other at full speed without fumbling the ball.
