Ayrton Oneill
The Figure 8 drill is an intermediate ball-handling drill that is popular among youth basketball players. It helps players develop ball control and improve their dribbling skills. To perform the drill, stand with your knees about shoulder-width apart and bend over slightly. With the ball in your right hand, pass it between your legs in a figure-eight motion to your left hand, then swing the ball to the front and pass it back to your right hand through your legs. Start slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable. This drill can help you learn how to dribble without looking at the ball, improving your overall gameplay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stance | Knees shoulder-width apart, bend over slightly |
| Starting position | Ball in the right hand |
| Movement | Pass the ball in a figure-eight motion between the legs to the left hand, then swing the ball to the front and pass it back to the right hand through the legs |
| Speed | Start slowly and increase speed as you get more comfortable |
| Benefits | Develop ball control in both hands, learn to dribble without looking at the ball |
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What You'll Learn
- Start in the correct stance: knees shoulder-width apart, bend over slightly
- Begin dribbling with the ball in your right hand
- Pass the ball through your legs to your left hand
- Swing the ball to the front and then pass it back through your legs to your right hand
- Start slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable
Start in the correct stance: knees shoulder-width apart, bend over slightly
To start practising the figure-8 basketball drill, you must first get into the correct stance. Stand with your knees about shoulder-width apart and bend over slightly, keeping your back straight. This stance provides a stable base for you to handle the ball effectively and maintain balance during the drill.
When you're in this position, you should feel grounded and ready to move the ball between your legs. The slight bend in your knees allows for easier pivoting and shifting of your body weight as you change directions with the ball. It's important to maintain this stance throughout the drill to ensure smooth and controlled movements.
Additionally, this stance helps to engage your leg muscles, including the quadriceps and hamstrings, which provide stability and power to your movements. By keeping your knees bent, you can utilise the strength of your legs to control the speed and force of the ball as it moves through the figure-8 motion.
As you get more comfortable with the drill, you can start to increase the speed at which you move the ball. However, always remember to maintain the correct stance, as it forms the foundation for successful ball handling and helps to prevent any unnecessary strain on your body.
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Begin dribbling with the ball in your right hand
To begin dribbling with the ball in your right hand, start by standing with your knees about shoulder-width apart and bending over slightly. This stance provides stability and a lower centre of gravity, making it easier to handle the ball. Keep your head up, maintaining awareness of your surroundings, and use your peripheral vision to track the ball.
Now, with the ball in your right hand, focus on using your fingertips to touch and control it, rather than your palm. This will give you a better grip and allow for more precise dribbling. Spread your fingers out across the ball's surface to maximise contact and control.
Begin dribbling by bouncing the ball with a gentle force, ensuring it doesn't go above your waist. Keep your elbows behind the ball as it makes contact with the ground, maintaining control and facilitating a smooth dribbling motion. Start slowly, gradually increasing the speed and intensity of your dribbles as you gain confidence and comfort.
Remember, dribbling with both hands is advantageous in a game. It keeps defenders guessing and allows you to manoeuvre more effectively on the court. So, practice dribbling with your non-dominant hand as well, challenging yourself with dribbling exercises to improve your weak-hand coordination and control.
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Pass the ball through your legs to your left hand
To pass the ball through your legs to your left hand, start by standing with your knees about shoulder-width apart and bend over slightly. This basic dribbling stance will help you control the ball as you move it between your legs. Next, with the ball in your right hand, pass it between your legs in a figure-eight motion to your left hand. You can practice this move by passing the ball back and forth between your hands through your legs, starting slowly and increasing your speed as you get more comfortable.
When you pass the ball through your legs, try to get a clean V-shaped bounce so that the ball rises toward your left hand. Use your left hand to receive the ball when it emerges from between your legs, and control it with your fingertips. As the ball travels, lower your front hand to protect it from defenders.
You can also practice a reverse between-the-legs dribble. To do this, start with the ball in your left hand and dribble it between your legs from the backside. Then, catch the ball with your right hand. This move can help create scoring or playmaking opportunities near the basket or perimeter areas of the court.
Remember to keep your head up and eyes forward as much as possible when practicing this move, and be aware of your surroundings to avoid defenders poking the ball out from between your legs.
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Swing the ball to the front and then pass it back through your legs to your right hand
To perform the figure-8 basketball drill, start by standing with your knees about shoulder-width apart and bending over slightly. This crouching stance helps you protect the ball and prepare for movement. It's important to keep your head and chest pointed straight ahead, avoiding the temptation to look down at the ball.
Now, with the ball in your right hand, you'll want to initiate the figure-eight motion. Swing the ball to the front, using your fingertips to bounce the ball at knee height. As you do this, take a diagonal step forward with your left foot. This movement will set up the next phase of the figure eight, where you pass the ball back through your legs to your right hand.
As you swing the ball forward, shift your hand to the side so that only your thumb is on top of the ball. This positioning will enable you to smoothly pass the ball between your legs. Use your hand to guide the ball gently between your open legs so that it bounces underneath you and comes up behind you.
To complete the figure-eight motion, you'll need to receive the ball with your right hand as it emerges from between your legs. Make sure to get your hand down close to your legs to ensure you control the ball as soon as it comes through. As the ball travels, lower your front hand to protect it from defenders.
Remember, when practising this drill, it's best to start slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable with the movement.
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Start slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable
To perform the figure-8 basketball drill, start by standing with your knees about shoulder-width apart and bending over slightly. It is important to start slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable with the drill. With the ball in your right hand, begin by passing it between your legs in a figure-eight motion to your left hand. Remember to start at a slow pace so that you can get a feel for the movement and coordination required.
As you pass the ball, focus on maintaining control and accuracy. Once you have passed the ball to your left hand, swing it to the front. Again, take your time with this step, ensuring that you have a good grip on the ball and that your body is comfortably positioned. From here, you will pass the ball back through your legs to your right hand. Practice this movement at a slower pace until you feel confident in your ability to maintain control of the ball and your body positioning.
As you get more comfortable with the figure-8 motion, you can gradually increase your speed. This will help improve your dribbling skills and ball handling. The key is to start slow and build up your speed and confidence over time. Remember that this drill is meant to help you develop your ball control and handling skills, so take your time and focus on perfecting the technique before increasing your speed.
The figure-8 drill is a great way to improve your ball handling skills and develop comfort with dribbling without having to look at the ball. It is an intermediate drill often taught to youth players to improve their control on the court. By starting slowly and increasing your speed over time, you will be able to perfect this drill and improve your overall basketball skills.
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Frequently asked questions
Stand with your knees about shoulder-width apart and bend over slightly.
With the ball in your right hand, pass it between your legs in a figure eight motion to your left hand.
Swing the ball to the front and then pass it from your left hand back to your right hand through your legs.
Start slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable.
The figure 8 drill helps you develop ball control in both hands and between both hands. It is a good drill to learn how to dribble without looking at the ball.
