Kristian Ferrell
Improving basketball handles is a skill that can be practiced alone and involves dribbling, controlling, and feeling comfortable with the ball. Drills are a great way to improve ball handling skills, and there are many to choose from that can be done at home, such as the crossover drill, the figure 8 drill, and ball slaps. Watching videos of basketball greats like Pete Maravich and studying their techniques can also help improve your handles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drills | Ball slaps, Figure 8, Crossover, Cones, Chair, 1v1, 3-ball, Pound dribble, Push-pull dribble, Side-to-side dribble, Spider dribble, Mirror drill, Full-court ball handling, Box drill, Point moves, Guard moves, Fingertip touches, Body circles, Around the world, 2/1, 1 hand in front/behind, 2 hands in front/behind, Overhead tosses, Stationary dribbling routine, Walking crossover, Between the legs, Hesitation, Pull back, Zig-zag dribble, High/low dribble, 1 hand high/low, Back dribble, Spin dribble, Pull-back crossover, Half-spin move, Behind the back, Lay-up, Pull-up jumper |
| Equipment | Cones, Chairs, Basketballs |
| Techniques | Use finger tips, not palms, Dribble hard, Keep head up, Look at rim/spot on wall, Use imagination, Practice outside comfort zone, Go faster, Practice losing the ball, Practice with defenders, Watch videos of Pete Maravich, Dribble with a plastic bag over the ball |
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What You'll Learn
Practice dribbling with a plastic bag over the ball
Practising dribbling with a plastic bag over the ball is an effective way to improve your basketball handling skills at home. This method was popularised by NBA star Kyrie Irving, who, despite working with professional trainers, attributes his exceptional ball-handling skills to this simple household item.
To perform this drill, tie a plastic bag around your basketball and dribble as you normally would. The plastic bag makes the ball more slippery, reduces its bounce, and causes it to take unpredictable bounces, especially if the knot is loose. This added difficulty helps you gain better control over the basketball once you remove the bag. The ball will feel more responsive to your hands and fingers, allowing for greater control.
When practising with a plastic bag, don't be discouraged if you struggle to control the ball at first. This is a challenging drill, and it may take some time to get used to the altered feel of the ball. Remember to keep your head up and look straight ahead as you dribble, focusing on maintaining control.
You can incorporate this plastic bag drill into other dribbling exercises. For example, you could set up cones and dribble to each one, performing moves such as crossovers or between the legs. Alternatively, you can perform drills that focus on improving your dribbling speed and handling with both hands.
By regularly practising dribbling with a plastic bag over the ball and incorporating it into your drills, you will develop stronger and more nimble hands, improving your overall basketball handling skills.
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Do the figure 8 drill
To improve your basketball handles at home, one of the most effective drills is the figure 8 drill. This drill is simple to perform and can be done in a small space.
To begin, stand with your feet spread about shoulder-width apart and bend your knees slightly. Start with the basketball in your right hand and dribble it through your legs to your left hand, forming a figure eight. Then, immediately dribble it back to your right hand, continuing the figure-eight motion. Remember to use your fingertips to control the ball rather than your palms.
As with all ball-handling drills, it is important to start slowly and increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the drill. You can also vary the drill by changing the height of your dribbles. Try doing as many dribbles as possible with the ball at shoe height, and then try doing the drill with as few dribbles as possible by dribbling the ball at waist height.
The figure 8 drill is a great way to improve your ball handling and dribbling skills, which are essential for becoming a better basketball player. It helps you develop stronger and more nimble hands, improving your overall control and feel for the ball.
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Practice dribbling with your fingertips, not your palms
Dribbling with your fingertips instead of your palms is a fundamental skill in basketball. While it may feel unnatural at first, dribbling with your fingertips allows for greater control of the ball and enables faster dribbling.
To practice dribbling with your fingertips, start by bending your knees and placing your legs slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. This stance helps to improve balance and stability during dribbling. With the ball in your right hand, focus on dribbling with your fingertips, keeping the ball as close to the ground as possible. The closer the ball is to the ground, the faster and more controlled your dribble will be. Repeat this dribbling action with your left hand. Spending extra time practising with your non-dominant hand will help develop strength and dexterity.
As you become more comfortable dribbling with your fingertips, you can incorporate additional drills to further improve your ball-handling skills. Try the "pound drill", where you bend your knees and dribble the ball repeatedly with one hand, keeping your head and eyes upright. This drill helps players keep their heads up while maintaining control of the ball. Another effective drill is the "crossover drill", where you alternate hands and repeatedly crossover the ball. This drill improves your ability to switch hands and change directions quickly.
In addition to these drills, you can also practice dribbling with two basketballs to challenge yourself further. Start at the baseline with a ball in each hand and dribble to the near free-throw line, then return to the baseline. Progressively dribble to the half-court line, the far free-throw line, and finally, from baseline to baseline. This drill enhances your ball-handling skills while changing directions at different speeds.
Remember, improving your basketball handles takes time and consistent practice. By incorporating these drills and focusing on dribbling with your fingertips, you'll develop greater control, speed, and dexterity with the basketball.
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Set up cones and dribble to each one, performing a move at each cone
Setting up cones and dribbling to each one, performing a move at each cone, is a great way to improve your basketball handles at home. This drill is simple but effective and can be adapted in many ways to challenge yourself.
To begin, set up around six to ten cones in different spots on the court. You can place them in a straight line, diagonally, or laterally, and space them out around 6 to 7 feet apart. With a basketball in hand, start dribbling to each cone, performing a different move at each one. You can do a crossover, between the legs, behind the back, or a simple touch of the cone with your hand. Keep your head and eyes up throughout the drill, focusing on the next cone or a spot on the wall.
To increase the difficulty, you can add more cones or vary their placement. For example, you could set up four cones in a square formation and dribble to each one, moving sideways and backwards. Another variation is to use your whole body to circle around the cone before advancing to the next one. This will help improve your control and ability to change directions.
You can also work on your dribbling technique during this drill. Focus on dribbling with more force and using your fingertips instead of your palms. Try to keep the ball low, at ankle height, to improve your control. Additionally, you can challenge yourself by dribbling with two basketballs or even juggling them to build stronger and more nimble hands.
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Practice dribbling outside your comfort zone
To improve your basketball handles, it is important to practice dribbling outside your comfort zone. This means experimenting with different dribbling techniques and pushing yourself to try new things. For example, try dribbling faster than you usually would, or use your imagination to picture when and how you would use each dribble during a game. If you only practice what is comfortable, you will not improve.
There are several dribbling drills that can help you improve your handling skills. For instance, the Figure 8 drill, where you spread your legs apart and dribble the ball through your legs from one hand to the other, can be done in multiple ways to challenge yourself. You can also try dribbling with a plastic bag over the ball, which will make it more difficult to handle, but will improve your handling skills.
Another way to practice outside your comfort zone is to set up cones in different spots on the court and dribble to each cone, making a move at each one, such as a crossover or between the legs. You can also try dribbling with two basketballs at the same time, or with a partner who defends you as you try to advance past them.
It is also important to practice your ball handling in competitive, game-like situations with defenders present. This will help you improve your handling skills in more realistic scenarios.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to improve your basketball handles at home. You can try dribbling with a plastic bag over the ball, or try some of the following drills:
- The Figure 8 drill: Spread your legs about shoulder-width and dribble the ball through and around your legs in a figure 8.
- The Cone drill: Set up cones in different spots on the court and dribble to each cone, making a move at each cone, such as a crossover, between the legs, or a behind-the-back dribble.
- The Chair drill: Place a chair anywhere on the court and dribble towards it, crossing over or going behind the back as you advance past the chair.
Here are some tips to make the most of your practice:
- Practice outside your comfort zone. Try going faster than you usually would and use your imagination.
- Focus on developing a feel for the ball.
- Practice your ball handling in competitive, game-like situations with defenders present.
- Use your fingertips to dribble, not your palms.
- Keep your head up and eyes straight ahead while dribbling.
Yes, here are some additional tips:
- Watch players that inspire you and focus on a particular move that you think you can use.
- Practice in front of a mirror to improve your form.
- Do a series of dribbling exercises each day, even if it's just for 5-15 minutes.
- Try using multiple balls and incorporating footwork into your drills once you've mastered the basics.
