Andrew Pace
Improving ball handling in basketball requires imagination and practice. Players should focus on developing their dribbling skills, such as dribble pounds, crossovers, between the legs, and behind the back. It is important to practice both stationary and moving drills, as well as changing speeds and paces. Using two balls can also improve ball handling, as it helps build confidence and control. Additionally, players should practice in game-like situations with defenders present to enhance their ball handling skills further.
Characteristics and Values Table for Improving Ball Handling in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drills | Use two balls, wear a glove, wrap a plastic bag around the ball, or use heavy balls |
| Dribbling | Focus on dribble pounds, crossovers, between the legs, and behind the back; practice stationary and then add movement; vary speed from slow to fast |
| Comfort Zone | Practice outside your comfort zone, go faster, and use your imagination |
| Game Situations | Practice in competitive, game-like situations with defenders present |
| Ball Control | Dribble the ball hard and use your fingertips instead of your palm to gain more control |
| Vision | Keep your head up at all times and look at the rim or a spot on the wall during practice |
| Mentality | Teach that the primary purpose of putting the ball on the floor is to get a lay-up; basketball is a game of length |
| Off-hand | Use your non-dribbling hand to protect the ball, but don't push off with it to avoid an offensive foul |
| Change of Pace/Direction | Use speed and misdirection to your advantage to throw off your defender and create space |
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What You'll Learn
- Practise the basics: dribble pounds, crossovers, between the legs, behind the back
- Use your fingertips, not your palm, to control the ball
- Practise drills with two balls to improve confidence and control
- Increase the challenge by wearing a glove or using a heavier ball
- Practise in game-like situations with defenders present
Practise the basics: dribble pounds, crossovers, between the legs, behind the back
Dribble Pounds
The Pound Dribble is a foundational move for beginners to practise. It involves bouncing the ball forcefully against the floor with one hand while maintaining control. This move teaches players how the ball behaves and how much pressure and force to apply to each bounce. To perform the Pound Dribble, hold the ball in your dominant hand and bounce it against the floor in front of you with enough force to bring it back up to your hand.
Crossovers
The crossover is a dribbling technique used to create space between yourself and a defender. It involves faking to one side to get the defender to follow, then bouncing the ball back over to the other side. To perfect this move, watch videos of great crossover players and imitate their hesitation moves. Stay low and wide, and lead with your dominant foot. Keep your eyes on the defender and the court, scanning for opportunities. Practise crossing right to left and vice versa, and work on quick changes in direction.
Between the Legs
Dribbling between the legs is a flashy way to keep the ball out of a defender's grasp. To perform this move, start in a basic dribbling stance with your knees slightly bent and your head and chest pointed straight ahead. Bounce the ball in front of you at knee height with your dominant hand, then take a diagonal step forward with the opposite foot. Shift the ball to the side as it bounces so that only your thumb is on top, then push it between your legs so it bounces up behind you. Move your opposite hand behind you to catch the ball. Practise this move until it feels natural.
Behind the Back
The behind-the-back dribble is a move where the ball travels from one hand to the other, bouncing behind the player's back. To perform this move, dribble the ball with one arm, then push your hand behind your back and off the floor in a straight line towards your other hand. Keep your hand on the outside part of the ball to create a good angle for the bounce. Keep your stance low to prevent your defender from stealing the ball.
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Use your fingertips, not your palm, to control the ball
When it comes to basketball, ball handling is a crucial skill to possess. One important technique to improve your ball handling is to use your fingertips to control the ball, rather than your palm. This method provides you with greater control and allows you to execute moves with precision.
Using your fingertips offers a lighter touch on the ball, enabling quicker and more agile movements. When you dribble with force, the ball returns to your hand faster, and the more time the ball spends in your hand, the more control you have over it. This control is further enhanced by using your fingertips, as they provide a more delicate and precise touch. For example, when performing dribble moves such as dribble pounds, crossovers, between the legs, and behind the back, using your fingertips allows for faster execution and improved manoeuvrability.
By focusing on using your fingertips, you train your hands to become accustomed to this style of ball handling. This technique improves your overall ball handling by emphasising the use of your fingertips, which are more sensitive and allow for finer adjustments in dribbling. It's important to practice this style of control in various situations, such as stationary drills and those involving movement, to improve your overall handling skills.
Additionally, you can improve your fingertip control by practicing drills that challenge your grip. For example, using a glove or wrapping a plastic bag around the ball can help you focus on using your fingertips to maintain control. These methods force you to rely more on your fingertips, improving your overall ball handling.
In summary, using your fingertips instead of your palm to control the ball in basketball is a crucial aspect of improving your ball-handling skills. This technique enhances your control, precision, and agility, allowing you to execute moves with greater speed and finesse. By incorporating this method into your drills and practices, you'll become a more adept ball handler and improve your overall performance on the court.
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Practise drills with two balls to improve confidence and control
To improve your dribbling skills and build confidence, you can start by practising with two balls instead of one. This will help you develop better control and improve your overall ball handling.
Begin with some stationary drills to get a feel for handling two balls. Stand on the baseline and focus on controlling both balls, ensuring you don't lose grip. Once you've mastered the basics, start moving around the court, gradually increasing the difficulty by going from half court to full court. You can also follow the lines around the court or create your own route to keep things interesting.
Another effective drill is to dribble the balls through and around your legs in a figure-eight motion. Spread your legs about shoulder-width apart and concentrate on maintaining control of the balls as you move them in this pattern.
As you progress, you can increase the challenge by incorporating speed and change of pace. Try dribbling faster than you're comfortable with, and then mix it up by slowing down quickly. This will help you become more agile and responsive with the ball.
Additionally, you can experiment with different techniques to make the drills more demanding. For example, try wearing a glove, wrapping a plastic bag around the ball, or using heavier balls to intensify your training and improve your ball handling even further.
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Increase the challenge by wearing a glove or using a heavier ball
To improve your ball-handling skills in basketball, you can increase the challenge by wearing a glove or using a heavier ball. This method helps you develop a better feel for the ball and improves your control. The glove reduces the friction between your hand and the ball, making it more difficult to grip and forcing you to focus on maintaining control. Similarly, using a heavier ball increases the difficulty by changing the ball's dynamics and requiring more force to dribble effectively.
When using a glove or a heavier ball, it is essential to start with basic dribble moves such as dribble pounds, crossovers, between the legs, and behind the back. These foundational skills are the building blocks of more advanced dribble techniques. Practice these moves at a stationary position until you feel comfortable with the increased challenge, and then gradually add movement. You can also try dribbling the ball through and around your legs in a figure-eight pattern, spreading your legs about shoulder-width apart.
As you become more proficient with the glove or heavier ball, you can increase the challenge further by incorporating speed and pace variations into your dribbling. Try dribbling faster and then quickly slowing down, keeping the ball under control at all times. This technique will help you develop quick reflexes and improve your ability to handle the ball under pressure. Additionally, focus on using your fingertips to control the ball rather than your palm, as this will give you more precision and agility.
Another way to increase the challenge is to use two balls instead of one. This method forces you to divide your attention and improves your overall ball handling. Start by practicing stationary dribbles with two balls, and then gradually add movement. You can follow the lines around the court or create your own route. As you become more comfortable, increase the distance and eventually work your way up to a full court.
Remember, the key to improving your ball-handling skills is to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. Losing the ball is part of the learning process, so pick it up and try again. By consistently challenging yourself with variations such as wearing a glove or using a heavier ball, you will develop better ball control, dexterity, and confidence in your basketball skills.
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Practise in game-like situations with defenders present
To improve your basketball ball-handling skills, it is important to practice in game-like situations with defenders present. This helps you develop the necessary skills and confidence to handle the ball effectively during competitive games. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your practice sessions:
Create Game-Like Situations
Set up drills that simulate game-like situations. You can use cones or chairs to create obstacles and simulate defenders. Practice dribbling around these obstacles, working on your speed and change of direction, and ball protection. You can also use a wall as a reference point to focus on during your drills. This helps improve your dribbling accuracy and control.
Defending and Offense
Practising with defenders present helps you develop crucial skills such as protecting the ball from defenders and using your off-hand effectively. It is important to get into the habit of using your non-dribbling hand to protect the ball. While you can use your off-hand to resist a defender from stealing the ball, be careful not to push off with your off-hand, as this could result in an offensive foul.
Vary Your Drills
To improve your ball handling, vary your drills and push yourself outside your comfort zone. Try dribbling with two balls instead of one, starting stationary and then adding movement. You can also experiment with different speeds and dribble moves, such as crossovers and between the legs. Focus on dribbling the ball hard to increase your control and quicken the ball's return to your hand.
Visualisation and Imagination
Use your imagination to visualise when and how you would use each of your dribble moves in a game. Picture yourself attacking the rim, creating space, and executing lay-ups. This mental preparation will help you make more effective decisions during games and improve your overall ball handling in competitive situations.
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Frequently asked questions
Practicing ball handling requires imagination, as you have to put yourself in game-like situations. You can start with the basics—dribble pounds, crossovers, between the legs, and behind the back. All dribble moves are essentially a combination of these basics.
You can start with stationary practice to build confidence. Stand on the baseline and try to control one or two balls. Then start to move by following the lines around the court. You can also do dribble figure 8's—spread your legs about shoulder-width and dribble the ball through and around your legs in a figure 8.
Here are some tips from a pro coach:
- Dribble the ball hard. The more time the ball spends in your hand, the more control you have.
- Keep your head up at all times. Look at the rim or a spot on the wall during practice.
- Use your fingertips to control the ball, not your palm.
- Use your imagination. Picture when and how you would use each of the dribbles.
- Don't dribble for no reason. The primary purpose for putting the ball on the floor is to get a lay-up.
- Use your non-dribbling hand to protect the ball, but don't push off with it as that will result in an offensive foul.
- Change of pace/direction. Use speed and misdirection to your advantage to throw off your defender and create extra space.
