Ayrton Oneill
Ball handling is one of the most fundamental skill sets in basketball, but many players lack the skills to be considered high-level ball handlers. To improve your ball-handling skills, you should practice dribbling drills that increase hand-eye coordination, hand speed, and ball control. These drills should be practiced in game-like situations with defenders present and should be done frequently for shorter durations to achieve better results. You should also develop a primary dribble move and a counter dribble move to keep defenders guessing. Other tips include dribbling the ball hard, using your fingertips instead of your palm to control the ball, and practicing outside your comfort zone.
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What You'll Learn
Practice drills that improve hand-eye coordination and control
Ball handling is one of the most fundamental skill sets in basketball. To improve hand-eye coordination and control, it is important to practice drills that are stationary and slow-moving.
One drill that can be practiced alone is the "Maravich Drill", named after the late ball-handling wizard Pete Maravich. This involves dribbling the ball through and around the legs in a figure 8.
Another drill to improve hand-eye coordination is to place a chair at the corner of the free-throw line and attack the chair, making a move to get by. This can be done with both the right and left hands, finishing with a lay-up or pull-up jumper.
Other drills include the "Leg-Waist-Leg" and "Legs-Waist-Head" exercises, which involve wrapping the ball around the legs, waist, and head, improving hand speed and ball control.
It is also beneficial to practice dribbling with two balls, focusing on different heights and sides, as well as changing balls. This improves hand-eye coordination and forces players to control the balls with both hands.
Additionally, it is important to remember that ball handling should simulate game-like situations. Practicing with defenders present helps develop skills that can be used in competitive play.
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Develop a feel for the basketball
Developing a feel for the basketball is an important first step to becoming a better ball handler. This involves a series of drills that are stationary and slow-moving, designed to improve hand-eye coordination, hand quickness, ambidexterity, throwing, and catching.
One drill that can help develop a feel for the basketball is the Maravich series, named after the legendary Pete Maravich. This series of drills helps players get comfortable with the ball. Another drill is one-ball dribbling, which can be done through cones. Two-ball dribbling is another option, which can also be done through cones. Tennis ball dribbling is a further variation. The Steve Nash passing series is a great drill to improve passing skills.
Other drills to improve ball handling include fingertip touches (above the head, at the waist, and at the feet), ball slaps, body circles, and figure 8s. These drills can be done in front of, behind, or between the legs.
It is important to keep the drills simple at first, so proper motor programming can occur. Once the basic skills are improved, more difficult skills can be added. It is also beneficial to practice outside your comfort zone and experiment with different speeds and moves.
By developing a feel for the basketball through these drills, players can improve their ball-handling skills and become more effective on the court.
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Practice dribbling in game-like situations
Dribbling is an essential skill in basketball, and practising dribbling in game-like situations is crucial to improving your overall game. While you can start with simple stationary drills to get a feel for the ball, you should also incorporate movement and defenders into your drills to simulate what happens in a real game.
One such drill is the Elbow to Elbow drill, where one player dribbles from one basketball court elbow to the other while being guarded by a defender. The players must change direction to avoid the defender and ensure ball control. Another drill is Dribble Chaos, where players form two lines in a cross formation, each holding two basketballs. They dribble and communicate their positions to avoid collisions, preparing for high-pressure in-game scenarios.
The Bumper Ball drill emphasises ball handling under physical pressure, with a defensive player applying light physical pressure on the ball handler by lightly hitting them with a basketball. The Pitbull drill also promotes quick reflexes and effective ball protection skills, with players dribbling low within a small area while trying to knock away their opponents' balls without fouling.
You can also set up cones or objects to dribble around, simulating defenders. Practising regaining control of the ball when it's not at an ideal level will also help prepare for in-game situations. It's important to use your finger pads, not your palm, to control the ball, and to keep your head up to maintain awareness of your surroundings.
Additionally, you can place a chair at the corner of the free throw line and practice attacking it and making a move to get by, varying each finish in the paint. This helps you imagine a defender and improves your ability to create space. You should also work on dribbling with both your left and right hands and practice going faster than you're used to, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.
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Use speed and misdirection to your advantage
To improve your basketball ball-handling skills, you must develop a feel for the ball and practice in competitive, game-like situations. One of the key ways to do this is by using speed and misdirection to your advantage.
Speed and misdirection are powerful tools for a basketball player. By varying your pace and direction, you can create space between yourself and your defender, giving you more opportunities to make plays. This technique can be practiced through various drills, such as the ones outlined below.
One effective drill to improve speed and misdirection is the ""Figure 8" drill. Stand with your legs about shoulder-width apart and dribble the ball through and around your legs in a figure 8 motion. This drill improves hand speed and ball control while also helping you get a feel for the ball.
Another useful drill is the "Point Move." Place a chair at the corner of the free-throw line and start at half-court. Attack the chair and practice making moves to get by it, such as crossovers and hesitations. Vary your finish each time, practicing both lay-ups and pull-up jumpers. This drill helps you work on changing speed and direction while also developing your ability to react to defenders.
Additionally, you can practice the "Two Ball Dribbling" drill. This involves dribbling two balls simultaneously in different patterns, such as side-to-side, high-low, and push-pull. This drill improves your hand-eye coordination and ability to control multiple balls at once, which can help you feel more comfortable with the ball during a game.
By incorporating these drills into your practice routine and focusing on using speed and misdirection to your advantage, you will become a more effective ball handler and be able to create more opportunities for your team during games.
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Learn a primary dribble move and a counter dribble move
Learning primary and counter dribble moves is an essential part of improving your basketball skills. Dribbling is one of the most fundamental basketball skills, and knowing when and when not to dribble is crucial. Here are some tips to help you learn a primary dribble move and a counter dribble move:
Primary Dribble Move:
- Basics: Start by holding the ball with your fingertips, keeping your legs about shoulder-width apart, and bending your knees slightly. Bounce the ball off the ground firmly and use your fingertips to catch it as it bounces back before pushing it down again. Keep the ball 3 inches away from your body and low to the ground as you move.
- Practice: Dribble as often as you can with each hand. You can set up cones or chairs and pretend they are defenders. Practice dribbling from sideline to sideline, first with your right hand and then back with your left.
- Rules: Avoid violations such as travelling (moving with the ball without dribbling) and double dribbling (bouncing the ball with two hands simultaneously). These can result in penalties and disrupt your team's offensive momentum.
Counter Dribble Move:
- In and Out Dribble: This is a counter move to a crossover. Fake a crossover by pushing the ball back out with the same hand in a "V" motion. This technique involves dribbling the ball at different heights, luring your opponent by pretending to bring the ball low or high.
- Behind-the-Back Dribble: This move is useful when you're close to a defender and need to switch hands without room for a regular crossover. Move the ball from one hand to the other by bouncing it behind your back.
- Speed and Misdirection: Use speed and misdirection to your advantage. Jab steps, crossovers, and hesitations can create extra space between you and your defender. Practice dribbling fast and then slowing down quickly to vary the speed and look of your moves.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some tips to improve your ball handling in basketball:
- Practice dribbling with your weak hand.
- Use your fingertips to control the ball, not your palm.
- Practice drills that improve your hand-eye coordination, hand quickness, and ambidexterity.
- Practice dribbling in game-like situations with defenders present.
- Use speed and misdirection to your advantage when attacking the rim.
Here are some drills to improve your ball handling:
- Fingertip touches (above your head, at your waist, at your feet).
- Leg-Waist-Leg: Wrap the ball around one leg, go to the waist, then the opposite leg, and back to the starting leg.
- Legs-Waist-Head: Wrap the ball around both legs twice, then the waist twice, and finish at the head twice.
- Dribble figure 8's: Spread your legs about shoulder-width apart and dribble the ball through and around your legs in a figure 8.
- Two-ball dribbling: Practice dribbling with two balls at the same time to improve your hand-eye coordination.
Here are some tips for effective ball handling practice:
- Practice frequently for shorter durations.
- Start with simple drills and gradually increase the difficulty.
- Practice outside your comfort zone and experiment with new skills.
- Focus on developing a feel for the basketball before moving on to more complex drills.
- Mix up your dribble moves to keep defenders guessing.
