Andrew Pace
Being able to use both hands in basketball is a huge advantage. If you can dribble with your left and right hand, it becomes much harder for your opponent to predict your moves. While it may feel awkward at first, there are several drills you can do to improve your left-hand dribbling skills. These include the Two-Ball Pound, Zig-zag Speed Dribble and Layup, Two-Ball Weak-Hand Pass, and Tennis Ball Juggle. You can also try dribbling with two balls at the same time, or with a tennis ball in your right hand and a basketball in your left. The key is to put in the work and gain confidence in your non-dominant hand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Develop your weak hand to gain confidence in using your left hand |
| Coordination | Dribbling with both hands improves coordination |
| Opponent Advantage | Being able to dribble with both hands makes it harder for the defender to guess your direction |
| Scoring Opportunities | Being able to drive on both sides of the court increases scoring opportunities |
| Drills | Tennis Ball Juggle, Two-Ball Pound, Zig-Zag Speed Dribble and Layup, Two-Ball Weak-Hand Pass |
| Passing | Grab a partner and stand ten feet apart, put your dominant hand behind your back and pass and receive with only your weak hand |
| Grip | The middle of the hand should be under the center of the ball to achieve a consistent release |
| Angle of Finger | The finger of the shooting hand should be parallel to the target line to remain on the bottom of the ball throughout the wrist snap |
| Elbow | The elbow doesn't touch the basketball, but can be used as a cue to get the finger into correct alignment |
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What You'll Learn
Drills for left-hand dribbling
Dribbling with your left hand in basketball is an important skill to develop as it makes you less predictable to your opponents and helps you reach your full potential as a player. Here are some drills to help you improve your left-hand dribbling:
Two-Ball Dribbling Drill
Get two basketballs and crouch down in an athletic stance. Place one ball in each hand and dribble with your left hand. At the same time, gently roll the ball along the court with your right hand. This drill forces you to stay low and improves your left-hand dribbling while also working on your ball handling with both hands.
Full-Court Dribbling Drill
On a coach's whistle, dribble the length of the court and back as fast as you can using only your left hand. Keep your head and eyes up, and bend your right arm slightly to protect the ball from a defender. This drill helps you develop speed and control with your left hand.
Blindfolded Dribbling
Get a blindfold and tie it around your head so you can't see. Dribble with power and speed using only your left hand. Start in one spot and then try moving up and down the court. This drill helps you develop a better feel for the ball with your left hand.
Pound Dribble – Ankle Height and Waist High
Dribble the basketball a few inches off the ground with your left hand. Then, pound the ball as hard as you can into the ground at waist height, still using only your left hand. This drill helps you develop control and power with your left hand at different heights.
Dribble Around Left Leg
Start with a wide stance. Keep the ball low to the ground and dribble it in a circle around your left leg, using only your left hand. This drill improves your left-hand dribbling and coordination.
Spider Dribble
Stand with your knees shoulder-width apart and bent. Dribble the ball with your right hand, then your left hand. Then, reach your right hand behind your knee for a dribble, followed by your left hand. Continue alternating hands in this pattern. This drill helps improve your dribbling skills with both hands and works on your coordination.
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Passing with your non-dominant hand
Drills and Exercises:
- Two-Ball Weak-Hand Pass: This drill involves dribbling with two balls simultaneously and then push-passing the ball in your non-dominant hand to a teammate. Repeat this process, taking turns with your teammate, to improve your passing and dribbling skills with your weak hand.
- Tennis Ball Juggle: This drill can help improve your coordination and ball-handling skills. Hold a tennis ball in your dominant hand and a basketball in your non-dominant hand. Start by walking and tossing the tennis ball while dribbling the basketball. As you get comfortable, increase your pace and move across the court.
- Wall Passing: Practise throwing the ball against a wall, working on both chest and bounce passes. Vary the distance between yourself and the wall to challenge yourself further.
- Passing with a Partner: Grab a partner and stand about ten feet apart. Put your dominant hand behind your back and pass and receive the ball using only your non-dominant hand. As you improve, increase the speed and number of passes. Aim for each player to pass with their non-dominant hand twenty times, equalling one set.
- Passing Game: Get two balls and stand with a partner. Both of you should have a ball in your non-dominant hands. Throw the balls to each other's free hands simultaneously. Start slowly and gradually increase the distance and speed of your passes. Make it a game—whoever drops a catchable ball has to do a penalty, such as push-ups.
General Tips:
- Increase Non-Dominant Hand Reps: When doing ball-handling drills, increase the number of repetitions with your non-dominant hand. For example, if a drill calls for 10 reps with each hand, do 15 reps with your weaker hand.
- Everyday Tasks: Try doing everyday tasks with your non-dominant hand to develop coordination and comfort. This can include eating, drinking, using a phone, or writing.
- Dribbling: Work on your dribbling skills with your non-dominant hand. Start with basic dribbling drills and gradually increase the complexity. Dribbling with both hands will make you a more versatile player and improve your overall ball handling.
Remember, the key to improving your non-dominant hand passing is consistent practice and dedication. Implement these drills and tips into your training routine, and you will see progress over time.
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Gaining confidence in your left hand
Start with the Basics: Begin by familiarizing yourself with the feel of dribbling with your left hand. Spend extra time during your workouts to focus solely on your left hand. You can start with basic dribbling drills, gradually increasing the pace and intensity. Remember to keep your elbows behind the ball, forcing it into the ground while keeping your head up. This will help improve your coordination and ball-handling skills.
Master the Drills: Implement specific drills designed to enhance your left-hand dribbling and passing skills. Try the Two-Ball Pound, Zig-zag Speed Dribble and Layup, Two-Ball Weak-Hand Pass, and Tennis Ball Juggle. For example, in the Two-Ball Weak-Hand Pass, hold a tennis ball in your right hand and a basketball in your left. As you walk, toss the tennis ball and dribble with the basketball, gradually picking up the pace. You can also work with a teammate, taking turns dribbling with two balls and push-passing with the left hand.
Increase Left-Hand Reps: When doing ball-handling drills, increase the number of repetitions with your left hand. For example, if a drill calls for 10 reps with each hand, do 15 reps with your left. Make this a consistent part of your routine, and over time, you'll see improvements in your left-hand skills.
Practice Passing: Grab a partner and stand about ten feet apart. Put your dominant hand behind your back and focus on passing and receiving with only your left hand. As you get more comfortable, increase the speed and distance.
Keep Practicing: Consistency is key. Make sure to practice your left-hand drills regularly. It may feel awkward at first, but with persistence, you'll gain confidence and become a more versatile player.
By incorporating these tips into your training regimen, you'll develop greater confidence in your left hand, improving your overall performance on the court.
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Perfecting your grip and release
Finger Positioning
Place the basketball on your fingertips rather than your palm. This allows for a better grip and more control throughout your shot. Spread your fingers evenly across the ball, providing stability and balance. The goal is to get the middle of your shooting hand under the centre of the ball at the release. This can be made easier by positioning your hand this way before you start your shooting motion.
Grip Strength
Develop your grip strength to enhance your form and generate optimal power during release. You can improve your grip strength by doing hand-strengthening exercises such as squeezing a stress ball or using weights or resistance bands.
Stance and Foot Placement
Establishing a proper shooting stance is crucial for consistent and accurate shooting. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly ahead of the other, forming a staggered stance. For left-handed shooters, the right foot is usually slightly ahead.
Balance and Weight Distribution
Distribute your weight evenly between both feet to ensure better stability and control during the shooting motion. Avoid leaning too much on one foot, as it can affect your balance and shooting accuracy.
Elbow and Arm Position
Keep your elbows behind the ball and force the ball into the ground while keeping your head up. This will improve your coordination and ball-handling skills. As you release the ball, focus on using your fingertips. The last point of contact with the ball should be your shooting fingers, providing a gentle and controlled release. Avoid using your palm or entire hand to push the ball, as this can result in an inconsistent and less accurate shot.
Drills
To improve your left-hand grip and release, you can incorporate various drills into your practice sessions. Try dribbling with your left hand while walking or running, and gradually increase the pace as you get more comfortable. You can also use two balls, dribbling with both hands simultaneously, or pass and receive with only your left hand. These drills will help you develop your left-hand skills and improve your coordination.
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Practising left-hand shooting
Start with the basics: Make sure you are comfortable with the basic mechanics of shooting a basketball with your left hand. This includes learning the proper way to grip the ball, the correct finger placement, and how to generate power with your left hand. The middle finger of your shooting hand should be under the centre of the ball, and your hand should be slightly on the left side of the ball to push it to the right.
Increase your left-hand reps: When doing ball-handling drills, increase the number of repetitions you perform with your left hand. For example, if a drill calls for 10 reps with each hand, do 15 reps with your left hand. This will help you build muscle memory and improve your left-hand shooting.
Practice dribbling with your left hand: Dribbling is an essential skill in basketball, and being able to dribble with your left hand will make you a more versatile player. Start with basic dribbling drills and gradually increase the difficulty. Try dribbling with two balls at once or doing a speed dribble down the court to improve your left-hand dribbling skills.
Work on your left-hand passing: Passing with your left hand is another important skill to develop. Practice passing drills with a partner, standing about ten feet apart, and only use your left hand to pass and receive the ball. As you improve, you can increase the speed and distance of the passes.
Master some left-hand drills: There are several drills specifically designed to improve left-hand shooting in basketball. These include the Two-Ball Pound, Zig-zag Speed Dribble and Layup, Two-Ball Weak-Hand Pass, and Tennis Ball Juggle. Practising these drills will help you become more comfortable and confident with your left hand.
Remember, developing your left-hand shooting will take time and consistent practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Keep working at it, and you will eventually see improvement and become a more well-rounded basketball player.
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Frequently asked questions
Practice! The more you put in the work, the more confident you will become in your left-hand dribbling skills. Try drills such as the Two-Ball Pound, Zig-zag Speed Dribble and Layup, Two-Ball Weak-Hand Pass, and Tennis Ball Juggle.
Grab a partner and stand ten feet apart. Put your dominant hand behind your back and pass and receive with only your left hand. As you get better, increase the speed and number of passes.
It will feel awkward at first, but the more you practice, the more natural it will feel. Keep your eyes up and look around as you dribble with your left hand.
Try increasing your left-hand reps when doing ball-handling drills. For example, if you do 10 reps with your right hand, do 15 with your left. Make this a part of your regular workout routine.
The way you grip the basketball determines the direction of your shot. If you want to shoot straight, get the middle of your hand under the center of the ball. If you want to shoot left, apply force to the right side of the ball, and vice versa.
