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Improving ball handling in basketball requires a combination of drills, techniques, and practice in game-like situations. While some drills require a basketball, there are several ways to improve ball handling without one. For example, players can work on their weak hand by practicing finger touches above their head, at their waist, and at their feet, as well as performing body circles and ball slaps. Additionally, players can improve their ball handling by developing their court vision and maintaining a balanced athletic position with bent knees and an upright chest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drills | Fingertip touches, ball slaps, body circles, ball dribbling between ankles, knees, waist, head, around the world, around the ankles/waist, one hand in front/behind, two hands in front/behind, figure 8, figure 8 behind the back, overhead tosses, stationary dribbling routine, two-ball dribbling, single-leg dribbling, full-court ball handling drills |
| Body Positioning | Maintain a balanced athletic position with bent knees and chest up to enable forward vision and court awareness |
| Ball Handling Techniques | Use fingertips to dribble, not the palm, to have better control; keep the ball low and below the waist to prevent defenders from stealing it; use both hands for better versatility |
| Court Vision | Keep your head and eyes up to maintain court awareness and make better decisions; focus on a spot on the wall/rim during practice to simulate game conditions |
| Mentality | Practice outside your comfort zone, be imaginative, and visualize how and when to use different dribbles in a game |
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What You'll Learn
- Use your fingertips to dribble, not your palm, and keep the ball below your waist
- Practice head positioning: keep it up to see the court and maintain court vision
- Work on your weak hand to improve ambidexterity
- Practice changing pace and direction to throw off your defender
- Try dribbling drills with two balls to improve ball control
Use your fingertips to dribble, not your palm, and keep the ball below your waist
When dribbling a basketball, it's important to use your fingertips to touch the ball, rather than your palm. This provides the easiest way to maintain control and speed of your dribble. If you use the palm of your hand, you will lose control of the basketball. Stiff hands will also result in a loss of control, so make sure your hand sits comfortably on the basketball.
To dribble, bounce the ball off the ground firmly, but not so hard that you use serious arm strength. Your dribble should be quick, yet steady and controlled. Each time the ball returns to your hand, make contact with your fingertips and push it back down with a controlled motion of the wrist and forearm. You shouldn't be tiring your arm out from dribbling.
It's also important to keep the ball low, below your waist. The higher you dribble, the easier it is for your opponent to steal the ball away. Bouncing the ball closer to the ground will make its bounces shorter and quicker, making it harder for your opponent to steal.
To maintain possession of the ball, shield it with your non-dribbling arm. This will help to protect it. As you advance, you can also learn to keep your body between the ball and the defender.
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Practice head positioning: keep it up to see the court and maintain court vision
Keeping your head up while handling a basketball is essential to maintaining court vision and making informed decisions. By looking at the rim or a spot on the wall during practice, you simulate game-like situations and improve your overall basketball IQ.
To develop court vision, incorporate full-court dribbling drills and situational drills that mimic game scenarios. Practice scanning the court for open teammates and potential scoring opportunities while dribbling. This will help you make better decisions and create scoring chances for yourself and your teammates.
Additionally, work on your weak hand. It is crucial to be able to handle the ball with both hands. Use your fingertips to control the ball and keep it low, making it more difficult for defenders to steal.
To improve your court vision and decision-making, try the following drills:
- Set up in front of a TV playing basketball highlights and attempt to follow the game while simultaneously dribbling.
- Go outside and focus on a spot on the wall while dribbling without looking at the ball.
- Practice dribbling with your weak hand, keeping your head up, and scanning the imaginary court for teammates and scoring opportunities.
Remember, improving your ball handling requires consistent practice. Set aside dedicated time to work on your skills and track your progress to stay motivated and celebrate your improvements. Push yourself outside your comfort zone, practicing speed and direction changes, and experimenting with new techniques.
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Work on your weak hand to improve ambidexterity
Working on your non-dominant hand is crucial for improving ambidexterity in ball handling. It is essential that basketball players can use both hands to effectively control the ball. By focusing on your weaker hand, you develop a more versatile playing style and increase your options for dribbling, passing, and shooting.
To start, you can perform dribbling drills that specifically target your weak hand. This could include single-leg dribbling, where you dribble the ball with your weaker hand while making circles around the same side leg. You can also try the "Figure 8" dribble, creating a figure-eight pattern with the ball and the floor. These exercises help improve your ball control and coordination with your weaker hand.
Another effective method is to use two balls, one for each hand. You can begin with stationary practice, standing on the baseline and focusing on controlling both balls simultaneously. Gradually increase the challenge by moving to half-court and then full-court dribbling. This approach helps you develop equal proficiency with both hands and improves overall ball handling skills.
Additionally, you can work on your weak hand by performing drills that focus on speed and change of direction. For example, you can practice dribbling fast and then quickly slowing down, or varying the speed and style of your moves. This keeps defenders off-balance and creates more opportunities for your team.
Remember, improving ambidexterity takes time and consistent practice. Focus on developing a feel for the ball with your weaker hand and gradually increase the complexity of your drills as you become more comfortable.
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Practice changing pace and direction to throw off your defender
Changing pace and direction is a great way to throw off your defender and create space for a shot. This is an important skill for every basketball player to practice. Here are some ways to improve this skill:
Firstly, work on your speed and deception. Practice sprinting and changing direction at pace, and also practice slowing down quickly. You can do this with or without a basketball. A good drill to practice this is the three-cone drill, which has been used for years to improve players' athletic ability. Stadium stair running is another great drill for improving footwork and the ability to change direction quickly.
Secondly, work on your dribbling skills. You can practice this with two balls at the same time to improve your handling. Stand on the baseline and try to control both balls, then start to move. Go half court, then full court. You can also practice dribbling fast and then slowing down quickly, and changing the looks and speed of your different moves.
Thirdly, practice your mentality. Imagine game-time scenarios and how you would use each dribble. You can also practice focusing on a spot on the wall while dribbling and not looking at the ball. This will help you to keep your head up during a game, which is very important for a ball-handler.
Finally, work on your hesitations and stutter steps. These moves can freeze defenders and create space for you to sprint and create scoring chances.
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Try dribbling drills with two balls to improve ball control
Two-ball dribbling drills are an excellent way to improve your ball control and dribbling skills. The concept behind these drills is "over-training". By forcing your mind and body to perform a difficult task, such as dribbling with two balls, you make dribbling with one ball in a game situation relatively easy by comparison.
Start with stationary drills to build confidence. Stand on the baseline and try to control both balls. You can try the Alternating Piston Drill, where you dribble both balls at waist height but alternate sides, like pistons in an engine. Another drill is the One High, One Low drill, where you dribble one ball as high as you can, and the other low to the floor, then change sides.
Once you've mastered the stationary drills, progress to movement drills. You can try the 2-Ball Front Circles drill, where you dribble both balls low and in front of you, crossing them over from one hand to the other in a circular motion. Or try the 2-Ball Figure 8 Drill, where you dribble two balls around one leg, then progress to the figure 8 drill, where only one ball goes around the leg while the other stays in front.
You can also incorporate chairs or cones into your drills to add another level of difficulty, forcing you to move side to side while performing the dribble moves. For example, in the 2-Ball High-Low Dribble, you dribble one ball below your knees while dribbling the other at shoulder height, then switch hands and move through the chairs.
Remember, the key to improving is to practice outside your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to experiment and go faster than you're used to. If you lose the ball, just pick it up and try again.
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Frequently asked questions
You can practice your hand and finger movements without a basketball. Try drills such as finger tip touches (above the head, at the waist, at the feet), ball slaps, and body circles.
You can practice dribbling movements without a basketball. Try shadow dribbling, where you mimic the dribbling motion without the ball, focusing on speed and rhythm.
You can do drills that involve dribbling with your fingers, such as figure 8s and single-leg dribbling. You can also practice dribbling with two balls at the same time to improve your handling.
Avoid looking down at your hands or the imaginary ball when practicing dribbling. Keep your head up and your eyes forward, as if you were playing in a game.
