Dribbling Two Basketballs: Double The Fun, Double The Skills

how to dribble 2 basketballs

Dribbling two basketballs is an advanced skill that requires a lot of practice. It is a great way to improve your dribbling technique, as it forces you to dribble with your non-dominant hand and increases the overall difficulty of the drill. There are several two-ball dribbling drills that you can try, such as the windshield wiper motion, which can help you warm up your hands and develop great ball control. It's important to remember that proper technique is key to these drills: maintain a low athletic stance, keep your eyes up, and dribble the basketballs hard but under control.

Characteristics Values
Number of basketballs 2
Stance Low, athletic stance with feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent
Eye position Eyes up
Dribbling technique Hard and under control
Hand position Use fingertips, not the palm, to touch the ball
Ball position Keep the ball close to the ground for better control
Drills Windshield wiper motion simultaneously right to left, or in and out
Benefits of two-ball drills Forces you to dribble with your non-dominant hand and improves hand-eye coordination

shunwild

Keep your head up

Keeping your head up while dribbling is an important skill to master in basketball. It allows you to be aware of your surroundings, including your teammates and the defence, and helps you make quick decisions. Here are some tips to help you keep your head up while dribbling two basketballs:

Start by getting into a low, defensive stance. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and drop your hips back slightly as if you were sitting in a chair. This stance helps protect the ball while giving you mobility. Avoid bending at the waist, as it can be bad for your back and make you stumble forward.

Next, focus on developing dribbling skills with both hands. This will increase your control over the ball and make it easier to keep your head up. Practice dribbling with your dominant hand first, then switch to your non-dominant hand. Pound the ball into the ground, extending your arm and snapping your wrist to create a strong bounce. Each time the ball returns to your hand, push it back towards the ground instead of catching it.

To improve your hand strength, you can squeeze a stress ball or tennis ball. This will give you greater control while dribbling. Additionally, practice dribbling without looking at the ball. This may include drills such as using balloons, where you work on your dribbling while keeping the balloon in the air with your non-dribbling hand. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel to dribble without having to look at the ball.

While dribbling, keep your eyes on the basket and be aware of your teammates' positions. This will help you make better decisions and find passing opportunities. You can also use your non-dribbling arm to shield the ball from defenders, protecting it as you move across the court.

Remember, dribbling is a skill that takes time and practice to master. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away. Keep working on your technique, and soon dribbling with your head up will become second nature.

shunwild

Use one hand

Dribbling two basketballs with one hand is a challenging skill to master and requires a lot of practice. It is important to remember that dribbling with two hands is against the rules in basketball, so you will need to focus on using one hand to control the ball.

To begin, spread your fingers out and use your fingertips to get a good grip on the basketball. Avoid slapping the ball or using your palm, as this will result in a violation. Keep the ball low, ideally below waist height, and focus on maintaining control.

As you dribble, keep your head up and watch the defence to spot openings and manoeuvre around the court effectively. You can also spread your feet shoulder-width apart, with a slight bend in your knees, to achieve a good triple threat position. This stance will give you three options: shoot, pass, or dribble the ball towards the net.

It is important to note that catching the ball with one hand and then continuing to dribble without stopping the dribbling motion is considered a "carry" violation. Therefore, you must ensure that you have control of the ball and are using the proper technique with your fingertips before starting to dribble.

With dedicated practice and a good understanding of the rules and techniques, you can develop the skill to dribble two basketballs with one hand.

shunwild

Avoid double dribbling

Dribbling two basketballs at the same time is not a common practice in basketball, and the general rules and techniques for dribbling one basketball apply when dribbling two basketballs. Therefore, the following information on how to dribble a basketball can be applied to dribbling two basketballs.

Double dribbling is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player dribbles, stops their dribble by catching or holding the ball, and then starts dribbling again. In other words, once a player has started dribbling, they cannot stop and then start dribbling again. They must either pass or shoot the ball.

To avoid double dribbling, players should practice dribbling with one hand and then the other, switching hands without touching the ball with both hands. It is also important to keep your head up to see what the defense is doing and where your teammates are open. This will help you make decisions about passing or shooting the ball instead of stopping your dribble.

Additionally, when near defenders, it is better to dribble the ball at your side while assuming a low, defensive stance. This makes it harder for the defender to reach for the ball. Shielding the ball with your non-dribbling arm can also help protect it from defenders.

Practicing dribbling drills can also help improve your ball-handling skills and reduce the likelihood of double dribbling. For example, you can try dribbling while holding a balloon and tapping it into the air, or dribbling the full length of the court while practicing different dribbling moves.

shunwild

Shield the ball

Shielding the ball is a crucial aspect of dribbling in basketball, enabling players to protect the ball from defenders and maintain possession. Here are some instructive guidelines focused on shielding the ball while dribbling two basketballs:

Firstly, it is essential to adopt a low, defensive stance. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and slightly drop your hips back as if sitting in a chair. Avoid a tall, vertical posture, as it leaves the ball vulnerable to defenders. Instead, keep the ball close to your body, about knee height, to facilitate quick directional changes and effective shielding.

When dribbling two basketballs, focus on keeping both balls at the same height and pace. Start slowly and increase your speed as you gain confidence and control. Ensure that you dribble with your fingertips, not your palms, to achieve better control and a smoother dribble.

Additionally, maintain eye contact with the balls as little as possible. Keep your head up, watching the defence and your teammates, while your peripheral vision monitors the balls. This skill requires practice to master, but it is key to successful dribbling and shielding.

The spin move is a valuable technique to shield the ball and manoeuvre past defenders. As you approach a defender, use your body to spin quickly and explosively, transferring the ball to your other hand. Keep your head up and body low during the spin, and practice spinning in both directions to develop full control.

Remember, shielding the ball is a fundamental skill in basketball, requiring patience and consistent practice to master.

shunwild

Practice with a balloon

Practising with a balloon is a great way to improve your dribbling skills. This drill helps players develop control over the ball, while keeping their eyes and heads up.

To start, get a balloon and a basketball, and find some space to move. Hold the balloon in one hand and the basketball in the other. Throw the balloon into the air and begin dribbling the basketball. Each time the balloon comes back down, tap it back up with the hand that is not dribbling. Keep your eyes on the balloon at all times and try to maintain control of the basketball.

For an added challenge, try switching up the drill by incorporating speed dribbling. Start by popping the balloon up and then speed dribble to the other side of the circle and back before the balloon hits the ground. Keep popping the balloon up and speed dribbling from one side to the other.

Another variation of this drill is to throw the balloon across the court while dribbling, instead of just tapping it up in the air. This will help improve your coordination and control over the basketball.

Remember to maintain a low, defensive stance while performing these drills, with your knees bent and hips dropped back slightly. Keep your head up and shoulders square, and try to relax your fingers, spreading them out evenly on the basketball.

Frequently asked questions

Dribbling with two basketballs forces you to dribble with your non-dominant hand, improving your hand-eye coordination and overall ball control.

Here are some two-ball dribbling drills:

- Perform the windshield wiper motion simultaneously from right to left and in and out.

- Dribble two basketballs while holding a balloon and tapping it into the air.

- There are also plenty of two-ball dribbling drills available online.

Stay in a low athletic stance, keep your eyes up, and dribble the basketballs hard and under control.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment