Amanda Knapp
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball, and players who take the time to master it can contribute more to their team. The more time spent with a basketball in hand, the better your ball control will be. However, to improve, you must practice outside your comfort zone. This means experimenting with speed, using your imagination, and practicing in game-like situations. There are many dribbling drills to help you improve, such as the front V-dribble, the spider dribble, and the drop and catch. You can also use equipment like deflated balls, heavy balls, or two balls to challenge yourself and improve your dribbling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Practice dribbling daily |
| Time spent | 10-15 minutes a day |
| Ball weight | Use a heavy ball or a deflated ball to improve control |
| Ball number | Practice with two balls |
| Drills | Practice the "Spider Dribble" and "Drop and Catch" drills |
| Hand technique | Use your fingertips, not your palm |
| Ball height | Bounce the ball no higher than waist height |
| Eye contact | Keep your head up and focus on a spot on the wall |
| Movement | Move in straight lines, and practice alternating between your legs |
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What You'll Learn
Practice with two basketballs
Practicing with two basketballs is a highly effective method to improve your dribbling and ball-handling skills. It is an advanced drill that can help you improve your handles and hand quickness.
The two-ball dribbling drill can be used as a warm-up before practice or during training. It is important to push yourself to the limit when doing these drills. It is okay to mess up and lose the basketball, as this is a more challenging drill than dribbling with one basketball. When you go back to dribbling with one basketball, it will feel much easier in comparison.
There are several ways to practice dribbling with two basketballs. You can start by standing stationary on the baseline and trying to control both balls. Once you have mastered this, you can start to move by dribbling half court and then full court. You can also follow the lines around the court or create your own route.
The two ball bounce reverse figure 8 drill is another advanced two-ball drill. This drill teaches you how to make quick moves and counter moves. For example, you can practice putting the ball through your legs in a figure-eight motion, alternating between your left and right hands.
Practicing with two basketballs can also help you break the habit of always transferring the ball to your strong hand. It will force you to work on your weak hand, making you a more comfortable and confident dribbler during games.
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Focus on angles and direction
Basketball is a game of angles and direction. Moving in straight lines is an essential skill to master. Whenever you make an "East-West" move, quickly recapture a "North-South" path. This means that if you are moving towards the sideline, you should then move directly towards the basket. Try to do in one dribble what you would normally do in two.
To improve your dribbling, it is important to practice outside your comfort zone. This means going faster or harder than you usually would. If you only practice what you are comfortable with, your progress will be slower.
There are many dribbling drills that can help you improve your angles and direction. For example, the "front V-dribble" is used for in-and-out fake moves and can help you get around a defender. Start by dribbling the ball side-to-side in front of your body with your right hand, making a "V" shape. Your upper body should move with the rhythm. Then switch to your left hand and repeat.
Another drill is to widen your stance and dribble the ball in a figure eight around your legs. As the ball moves from one side to the other, switch your hands. The hand that is not in use should be between your legs, ready to switch.
You can also try the "spider dribble". With your feet spread about shoulder width, dribble the ball between your legs, alternating hands in front of and behind your legs. Work on getting faster.
Additionally, you can practice dribbling with two balls instead of one. Start by dribbling both balls while standing still, then progress to walking in a straight line, and eventually move to a running pace while changing direction quickly.
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Practice with different ball weights
One of the most important aspects of basketball is ball control. The more time you spend with a basketball in your hand, the better your ball control will be. However, to improve and take your skills to the next level, you must practice with different ball weights and outside of your comfort zone.
Practicing with different ball weights is a great way to improve your dribbling skills. Start with a heavy ball, as this will help you develop finger strength and improve your ball control. You can also use a deflated basketball, which will force you to dribble harder. Once you've mastered control with these heavier balls, switch to a ball that is pumped more than usual. This will challenge you to be lighter with your touch and improve your ability to control the basketball with a softer touch.
Another method is to use plastic bags. Put a plastic bag inside the basketball and dribble as normal. This will change the way the ball moves and the way it feels in your hand, helping you to develop a softer touch and improve your overall ball control. You can also try the "Kyrie bag the ball technique", where you put the ball in a bag and dribble it for 1-2 weeks. This will feel awkward at first, but when you return to a normal basketball, you will notice an improvement in your handling skills.
Using different ball weights is an effective way to improve your dribbling, but it is also important to practice with different drills and at different speeds. Try the "spider dribble", where you dribble the ball between your legs, alternating hands in front and behind. You can also do the "drop and catch", where you hold the ball between your legs and drop it, exchanging hand positions before catching it again. These drills will help you develop quickness and improve your ability to dribble in tight spaces.
Remember, the key to improving your dribbling is to practice regularly and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Use different ball weights, but also vary your drills and speeds to become a well-rounded and versatile dribbler.
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Use drills to improve speed
Drills are a great way to improve dribbling speed in basketball. Here are some drills that can help you get faster at dribbling:
The Front V-Dribble
This drill helps in making in-and-out fake moves and getting around defenders. Start by dribbling the ball side-to-side in front of your body with only your right hand. Your upper body should move with the rhythm, and the ball should go from side to side, forming a 'V'. Switch to your left hand and repeat.
Figure Eight Dribble
Widen your stance and dribble the ball in a figure-eight motion around both of your legs. As the ball moves from one side to the other, switch your hands. The hand that is not in use should be between your legs, ready to switch at any moment.
Alternating Legs Dribble
Place your right foot in front and your left foot behind. Cross the ball between your legs and jump to switch your feet's position, so your left is in front and your right is behind. Keep passing the ball between your legs and switch your feet with each pass. Try to increase your speed as you progress.
Spider Dribble
Spread your feet about shoulder-width apart. Dribble the ball between your legs, alternating between your left and right hands in front of and behind your legs. Work on increasing your speed as you get comfortable.
Drop and Catch
Hold the ball between your legs with your right hand in front of your body and your left hand behind. Drop the ball and quickly switch your hand positions to catch it before it hits the ground.
Through Legs
Dribble the ball through your legs at shoetop height. You can also try the multiple through legs variation, where you put the ball through your legs three times (left, right, left) in quick, successive dribbles.
Torso Twist
Spread your legs outside your shoulder width and dribble with your right hand. Keep your legs straight and bring the ball across your body to the left side, outside your left foot, and dribble at shoetop height behind your left foot.
Two-Ball Pound and Pass
This drill requires two basketballs. Pound the balls simultaneously on each side of your body three times. Then, pass one ball behind your back and one in front to the opposite hand. After the balls reach the other side, pound them three times again and repeat the process. Change directions after five repetitions and gradually increase your speed.
Remember, the key to improving your dribbling speed is to practice outside your comfort zone. Experiment with different drills, go faster or harder than you're used to, and always focus on improving your weaker hand. Additionally, you can try dribbling with balls of different weights and sizes to further enhance your skills.
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Practice with your fingertips
To improve your dribbling in basketball, it is important to practice with your fingertips. This is because beginners often make the mistake of slapping the ball with their palms, but the correct technique is to control the ball with your fingertips.
To practice this skill, grab a basketball and hold it in front of you. Keep your hands close together and toss the ball back and forth, focusing on only using your fingertips to make contact with the ball. Once you are comfortable with this movement, move the ball up over your head and then back down to your knees. Continue this motion, paying attention to how your fingertips control the movement of the ball.
Another drill to improve your dribbling with fingertips is the "Spider Dribble". Start with your feet spread about shoulder width apart. Dribble the ball between your legs, alternating between your left and right hand in front of and behind your legs. Work on increasing your speed as you dribble.
You can also practice dribbling with two basketballs instead of one. Start by dribbling both balls while standing still, and then progress to walking in a straight line, with your hands at different heights. As you improve, start running and quickly changing directions, all while maintaining control of both basketballs.
Remember, the key to improving your dribbling is to practice outside your comfort zone. Experiment with different drills, go faster or harder than you usually would, and always use your fingertips to control the ball.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many dribbling drills that can help you improve. Here are some examples:
- The Front V-Dribble: Dribble the ball side-to-side in front of your body in a 'V' shape. Switch between your right and left hand.
- Spider Dribble: With your feet shoulder-width apart, dribble the ball in front and then behind your legs, alternating hands.
- Drop and Catch: Hold the ball between your legs with your right hand in front of your body and your left hand behind. Drop the ball and switch hand positions before catching it.
- Through Legs: Put the ball through your legs at shoe-top height.
- Multiple Through Legs: Same as the previous drill, but put the ball through your legs three times in quick succession (left, right, left).
Here are some general tips to improve your dribbling:
- Practice dribbling with both your right and left hands while walking, running, and then sprinting.
- Practice dribbling in game-like situations with defenders present.
- Try dribbling with two balls at the same time.
- Practice dribbling with your fingertips, not the palm of your hand, and bounce the ball no further than waist height.
- Practice outside your comfort zone by going faster or harder than you are used to.
The time it takes to see improvements in your dribbling depends on how often and how consistently you practice. Some people report seeing improvements in their dribbling within a week of practicing for 10-15 minutes per day.
