Andrew Pace
Being able to dribble with both hands is a huge advantage in basketball, as it makes it harder for defenders to guess your direction. Most players have one hand that is stronger and better at ball handling, but spending time working on your weaker hand can make you a more versatile player. There are many ways to improve your left hand, including doing ball-handling drills, passing drills, and practicing left-hand layups. You can also try to use your left hand for everyday tasks such as opening doors or brushing your teeth. By putting in the work, you can gain confidence and improve your left-hand skills in basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drills | Increase left-hand reps during ball-handling drills |
| Dribbling | Do all left-handed stationary and on-the-move ball handling |
| Scoring | Do all scoring moves with left-hand dribbling |
| Coordination | Add a second basketball and dribble with each hand at the same time |
| Passing | Grab a partner and pass/receive with only your weak hand |
| Layups | Practice left-hand layups from various angles on the floor |
| Confidence | Put in the work to develop confidence in your left hand |
| Everyday life | Use your left hand for everyday activities like opening doors or brushing teeth |
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What You'll Learn
Dribbling drills
To improve your left-hand dribbling skills, you must develop your weak hand so that you are as confident using your left hand as you are using your right hand. The only way to gain confidence is by putting in the work. Here are some dribbling drills that can help:
Drill 1: Increase Left Hand Reps
If you are doing a ball-handling drill that requires 10 reps with each hand, simply increase the number of reps with your left hand. For example, do 10 reps with your right hand and 15 reps with your left hand. Make this a part of your workout routine. You can also do all left-handed stationary and on-the-move ball handling, scoring moves with left-hand dribbling, and pull-up jumpers to the left.
Drill 2: Dribble in Different Situations
Dribble a basketball everywhere you go. Use different balls and dribble in various ways: left, right, behind the back, through the legs, up hills, down hills, and against a wall. This will help you learn fingertip control and improve your ball handling skills.
Drill 3: Suicides with Dribbling
Do suicides for conditioning and dribble the ball left-handed while you run. You can also incorporate other dribbling drills while doing suicides, such as dribbling figure eights around your feet, crossing over in front, between the legs, and behind your back.
Drill 4: Passing Against a Wall
Pass a basketball against a wall, only using your left hand. This will help improve your passing skills with your weak hand. You can also grab a partner and stand ten feet apart. Put your dominant hand behind your back and pass and receive the ball only with your weak hand. As you progress, increase the speed and challenge your partner!
Drill 5: Finishing with the Weak Hand
Start at the 3-point line in the corner and get one dribble, then take a layup without using the backboard. Dribble back to the same spot and take another layup. Repeat this process, but this time, make every layup go off the glass. This will help improve your finishing skills with your weak hand.
Remember, the key to improving your left-hand dribbling skills is to put in the work and consistently practice with your weak hand. Implement these drills into your workouts and scrimmages, and you will start to see improvement.
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Passing drills
Partner Passing
This drill improves passing and receiving skills. Players pair off and line up across from each other at a distance of about ten feet. One player has a ball. The players then pass and receive with only their left hand, completing 20 passes per set. As they progress, they can increase the speed and challenge their partner.
Triple Threat Passing
Passers and catchers start in a triple threat position. With a flick pass, players should step to throw and snap their wrist, following through with their passing hand extended and fingers pointed. The catcher should jump forward to aggressively receive the ball, landing with their "feet in the air". Players then switch roles.
V-Cut Passing
Two players line up on opposite sides of the court at the free-throw line extended, with one player having a ball. The player without the ball runs down and executes a V-cut. The player with the ball passes to the cutter, who catches and squares up to the basket. The passer then executes a V-cut and receives a pass from the cutter.
Wall Passing
This is a simple drill that can be done alone. Pass a ball against a wall, using only your left hand. Focus on catching the rebound with your left hand as well.
Chair Defensive Stance Drill
This drill helps with passing and defensive techniques. Have players stand with their backs to a chair. On the coach's signal, players slowly sit back into the chair, assuming a defensive stance: feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, head up, and hands in front with palms up. On the coach's signal, players rise out of the chair, maintaining the defensive stance. They hold this position for 10-15 seconds, then slide to the right and left before sitting back down and repeating the sequence.
Remember, when practising passing with your left hand, it's important to put in the work to build confidence. You can also apply these techniques in scrimmages and pick-up games to further improve your left-hand skills.
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Footwork and finishing
Footwork Drills
Agility ladder drills are a great way to improve footwork. They train rapid directional changes, enhancing foot speed and court adaptability. This drill mirrors the varied movements in a game, improving precision and control. Another drill involves weaving through cones with a ball in hand, demanding sharp focus and quick decision-making, similar to navigating through defenders. Jump roping is also beneficial, as it improves foot coordination and balance.
Pivoting Practice
Pivoting is an essential aspect of footwork, where players keep one foot planted while moving the other freely. For right-handed players, the left foot is typically used as the pivot foot, providing more effectiveness with the jab step. Practise pivoting on your left foot to improve your footwork and create more opportunities for shooting.
Drop Step Drill
This drill teaches players to use their footwork to manoeuvre around defenders, creating paths to the basket. It emphasises controlled speed, ensuring each step sets you up for a successful layup. This drill helps you quickly set your feet, preparing you to take that crucial shot, even under pressure.
Finishing with the Left Hand
To improve your left-hand finishing, focus on dribbling and layups. Avoid learning to shoot jumpers with your left hand, as it can confuse muscle memory. Instead, work on dribbling and finishing around the rim with your left. This will make it easier to finish through contact and give you an advantage over defenders.
Passing Drills
Passing drills can also help develop your left hand. Stand ten feet apart from a partner and put your dominant hand behind your back. Pass and receive with only your left hand, increasing speed as you progress. This will improve your coordination and ball handling skills.
By incorporating these drills into your practice, you will improve your left-hand footwork and finishing, becoming a more well-rounded and unpredictable player on the court. Consistent practice with your left hand will lead to improved confidence and performance.
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Left-hand layups
Footwork and Finishing
The first step is to understand the footwork and finishing technique for left-hand layups. Square up to the basket by using one of your four pivots. Then, jab step with your right foot and lead by driving to the basket from the wing position. Finish with a left-hand layup in front of the rim or on the opposite side of the basket, using the backboard. Practice this footwork slowly at first, and then increase your speed as you get more comfortable.
Angles and Approaches
When approaching the basket, angle your approach toward the left side. Get close enough to have easy access, but not so close that you end up directly under the basket. If you're starting near the center or left side of the basket, you can do a left-handed layup. If you're coming from the right side, it's better to use your right hand.
Shooting Technique
As you jump, imagine a string attached to your left arm and left leg, moving them simultaneously. Your left knee should be bent and pointed toward the basket, while your left arm arches toward it. Shoot with your elbow slightly bent, resembling the neck of a swan. Aim for the top left of the small square in the center of the backboard—this "sweet spot" makes it easier to guide the ball into the basket.
Practice Drills
To improve your left-hand layups, dedicate a portion of your workouts specifically to left-hand drills. Increase the number of repetitions with your left hand during ball-handling drills. Practice stationary and on-the-move left-handed ball handling, and perform all scoring moves with left-hand dribbling. Pass against a wall, using only your left hand. You can also try dribbling with two balls at the same time, keeping your elbows behind the balls, to improve your coordination and ball handling with both hands.
Remember, the key to mastering left-hand layups is consistent practice. Put in the work, and you'll gain the confidence needed to execute these moves effectively during games.
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Practise using your left hand in everyday life
To improve your left hand for basketball, you must develop your weak hand so you are as confident using your left hand as your right hand. Using your opposite or weak hand in everyday life helps strengthen neural connections in your brain. Here are some ways you can practice using your left hand in your daily life:
- Try opening doors with your left hand.
- Try brushing your teeth with your left hand.
- Try eating with your left hand.
- Try taking notes or writing with your left hand.
- Try passing against a wall, using only your left hand.
It will be awkward at first, but you will gradually feel more comfortable. This newfound comfort with your left hand will carry over to the basketball court.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by increasing your left-hand reps in ball-handling drills. You can also try doing all left-handed stationary and on-the-move ball handling drills. Additionally, try dribbling with each hand simultaneously to improve your coordination and ball-handling skills.
Grab a partner and stand ten feet apart. Put your dominant hand behind your back and pass and receive the ball only with your left hand. As you improve, increase the speed and number of passes.
Implement your action plan for improving your left hand in scrimmages, pick-up games, and practices. Try to use your left hand as much as possible in daily life, such as when opening doors or brushing your teeth.
Start by standing on your right leg and putting the ball against the backboard until you feel comfortable. Then add a jump and try to score. Gradually add steps and dribbles to increase the difficulty.
Practice one-handed shooting motion drills with your left hand. Pretend to shoot a jumper in front of the backboard and throw the ball off the glass, catching and controlling it with your left hand. You can also try doing all your pull-up jumpers to the left.
