Ball Handling

An adept ball handler and dribbler can create opportunities for their team on the court. Mastering these skills can help create open shots, obtain better passing angles, and lead to fewer turnovers. A great offensive player must be able to handle the ball!

Ball Handling and Dribbling Teaching Points: 

• Dribble with fingers, not with your palms. This is similar to typing on a keyboard.
• Position your body properly, with knees bent and body flexed at the waist.
• Keep your head up: see the court!
• Protect the basketball: use 'arm bar.'
• It is critical to be able to dribble effectively with both hands.
• A player should stop their dribble with a jump stop landing in a triple threat position.

Basic Dribbling Skills: 

1. Control Dribble: used against defensive pressure.

• Dribble the basketball near the back knee with your body turned to the side.
• Keep the dribble low and compact, below your knees.
• Hold out non-dribbling arm in front of your body to protect the ball from defenders: 'arm bar.'

2. Speed Dribble: used to push the ball up the court and on fast break situations.

• Dribble the ball in front of your body, but under control at all times.
• Dribble the ball higher and softer than with a control dribble.

3. Retreat Dribble: used to avoid defensive pressure and to keep dribble alive.

• Dribble backwards (hop back) to avoid pressure.
• Dribble requires a change in speed and change in direction.
• Dribble teaches players not to habitually pick up their dribble when heavy, defensive pressure is applied.

4. Crossover Dribble: used to break down a defender; good penetration move.

• Keep the dribble low when crossing over from one hand to another; keep it away from the defender.
• Use head and shoulder fakes to help sell the move.
• The goal is to get the defender on his or her heels: to 'break their ankles.'
• Explode to the basket with speed dribble after the crossover.
• The crossover can be done with low dribble, by going between legs (from front to back), or going behind your back (pull ball back and then push forward).

5. Whirl Pivot Dribble (Spin Move): used to avoid defensive pressure and to dribble by a defender.

• Pull the basketball through low during the pivot.
• Cup the ball while pulling it backwards.
• Keep the basketball in the same hand until completing the pivot.
• Keep the pivot low and quick with head up.
• Explode to the basket with speed dribble after the whirl pivot.

6. Behind the Back Dribble: used to break down a defender; good penetration move.

• Use head and shoulder fakes to help sell the move.
• Pull the basketball back hard, then push ball with hard dribble behind you to your other hand.  
• Slap opposite back thigh during the exchange.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Dribbling Line Drills: Go-Stop-Change-Go

• On GO command or whistle, the player should speed dribble with their right-hand.
• On STOP command or whistle, the player should control dribble with their right hand.
• On CHANGE command or whistle, the player should change control dribble to their left hand.
• On GO command or whistle, the player should speed dribble with their left hand.

During all dribbling line drills, the coach should stand in front of the players to teach, encourage, and evaluate each player’s performance.

• Players form lines on baseline or sideline (two players deep), one basketball per line.
• Use cones or chairs to represent stopping/starting points or change-of-dribble spots.
• Players will begin the drills in triple threat position.
• Players will start/stop/change dribble on voice command or whistle.
• The player should pause between stops/starts to check for balance, arm bar, and to see if their head is up.
• At the turnaround point, the coach should require jump stops with pivots.
• Work on the opposite hand on the return dribble.

NOTE: Encourage your players to keep their heads up during all dribbling drills. You should hold fingers high in the air showing different numbers and have your team shout the number of fingers shown. This will help players to keep their heads up and not look at the basketball.

Dribbling Line Drills: Speed Dribble

During all dribbling line drills, the coach should stand in front of the players to teach, encourage, and evaluate each player’s performance.

• Players form lines on baseline or sideline (two players deep) with one basketball per line.
• Use cones or chairs to represent stopping/starting points or change-of-dribble spots.
• Players will begin the drills in triple threat position.
• Players will start/stop/change dribble on voice command or whistle.
• The player should pause between stops/starts to check for balance, arm bar, and to see if their head is up.
• At the turnaround point, the coach should require jump stops with pivots.
• Work on the opposite hand on the return dribble.
• Players should end drills with a jump stop, giving the basketball to the next player in line.

NOTE: Encourage your players to keep their heads up during all dribbling drills. You should hold fingers high in the air showing different numbers and have your team shout the number of fingers shown. This will help players to keep their heads up and not look at the basketball.

Dribbling Line Drills: Speed Dribble/Control Dribble

Speed Dribble/Control Dribble is an on-command, stationary control dribble.

During all dribbling line drills, the coach should stand in front of the players to teach, encourage, and evaluate each player’s performance.

• Players form lines on baseline or sideline, two players deep, with one basketball per line.
• Use cones or chairs to represent stopping/starting points or change-of-dribble spots.
• Players will begin the drills in triple threat position.
• Players will start/stop/change dribble on voice command or whistle.
• The player should pause between stops/starts to check for balance, arm bar, and to see if their head is up.
• At the turnaround point, the coach should require jump stops with pivots.
• Work on the opposite hand on the return dribble.
• Players should end drills with a jump stop, giving the basketball to the next player in line.

NOTE: Encourage your players to keep their heads up during all dribbling drills. You should hold fingers high in the air showing different numbers and have your team shout the number of fingers shown. This will help players to keep their heads up and not look at the basketball.

 

Dribbling Line Drills: Speed Dribble/Crossover Dribble

Speed Dribble/Crossover Dribble 

• The players should form lines opposite one another on both sides of the practice area.
• On command, players should speed dribble toward each other and do a crossover dribble upon meeting their teammates.
• After a crossover, the player should explode up the court with a speed dribble.

During all dribbling line drills, the coach should stand in front of the players to teach, encourage, and evaluate each player’s performance.

• Players form lines on baseline or sideline, two players deep, with one basketball per line.
• Use cones or chairs to represent stopping/starting points or change-of-dribble spots.
• Players will begin the drills in triple threat position.
• Players will start/stop/change dribble on voice command or whistle.
• The player should pause between stops/starts to check for balance, arm bar, and to see if their head is up.
• At the turnaround point, the coach should require jump stops with pivots.
• Work on the opposite hand on the return dribble.
• Players should end drills with a jump stop, giving the basketball to the next player in line.

NOTE: Encourage your players to keep their heads up during all dribbling drills. You should hold fingers high in the air showing different numbers and have your team shout the number of fingers shown. This will help players to keep their heads up and not look at the basketball.

 

Dribbling Line Drills: Speed Dribble/Retreat Dribble

Speed Dribble/Retreat Dribble is an on command, two to three dribbles backwards against imaginary defender followed by speed dribble.

During all dribbling line drills, the coach should stand in front of the players to teach, encourage, and evaluate each player’s performance.

• Players form lines on baseline or sideline, two players deep, with one basketball per line.
• Use cones or chairs to represent stopping/starting points or change-of-dribble spots.
• Players will begin the drills in triple threat position.
• Players will start/stop/change dribble on voice command or whistle.
• The player should pause between stops/starts to check for balance, arm bar, and to see if their head is up.
• At the turnaround point, the coach should require jump stops with pivots.
• Work on the opposite hand on the return dribble.

NOTE: Encourage your players to keep their heads up during all dribbling drills. You should hold fingers high in the air showing different numbers and have your team shout the number of fingers shown. This will help players to keep their heads up and not look at the basketball.

 

Dribbling Line Drills: Speed/Control/Whirl Pivot (Spin Move) Dribble

Speed Dribble/Control Dribble/Whirl Pivot (Spin Move) Dribble 

• On command, players should start a control dribble.
• On command, players should perform a whirl pivot (spin move) followed by a speed dribble.

During all dribbling line drills, the coach should stand in front of the players to teach, encourage, and evaluate each player’s performance.

• Players form lines on baseline or sideline, two players deep, with one basketball per line.
• Use cones or chairs to represent stopping/starting points or change-of-dribble spots.
• Players will begin the drills in triple threat position.
• Players will start/stop/change dribble on voice command or whistle.
• The player should pause between stops/starts to check for balance, arm bar, and to see if their head is up.
• At the turnaround point, the coach should require jump stops with pivots.
• Work on the opposite hand on the return dribble.
• Players should end drills with a jump stop, giving the basketball to the next player in line.

NOTE: Encourage your players to keep their heads up during all dribbling drills. You should hold fingers high in the air showing different numbers and have your team shout the number of fingers shown. This will help players to keep their heads up and not look at the basketball.

 

Dribbling Line Drills: Two Ball Dribble

Two Ball Dribble (emphasize keeping the dribble low) 

• Walk
• Speed dribble
• Speed dribble with alternating dribble

During all dribbling line drills, you should stand in front of the players to teach, encourage, and evaluate each player’s performance.

• Players form lines on baseline or sideline, two players deep, with one basketball per line.
• Use cones or chairs to represent stopping/starting points or change-of-dribble spots.
• Players will begin the drills in triple threat position.
• Players will start/stop/change dribble on voice command or whistle.
• The player should pause between stops/starts to check for balance, arm bar, and to see if their head is up.
• At the turnaround point, the coach should require jump stops with pivots.
• Work on the opposite hand on the return dribble.

NOTE: Encourage your players to keep their heads up during all dribbling drills. You should hold fingers high in the air showing different numbers and have your team shout the number of fingers shown. This will help players to keep their heads up and not look at the basketball.

 

Around the World Drill

With feet together, players pass the basketball around their body. Start with the ankles, to knees, to waist, to head.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Ball Slams Drill

With feet shoulder-width apart, have players slap the basketball with fingers spread wide. Encourage them to try and knock the air out of the basketball. Players should “slam” the ball by rotating their right and left hands.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Figure Eight Leg Wraps Drill

With feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, players pass the basketball behind their left leg with the right hand. The left hand then takes the basketball and passes it behind the right leg. Variation: This drill can also be performed with a dribble.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Figure Eight Quick Drops Drill

With feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, players should hold the basketball between their legs with one hand in front of their bodies and the other hand behind their bodies. Players should drop the ball while switching hands from front to back. Encourage players to catch the ball before it hits the floor.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Fingertip Drill

With feet shoulder-width apart, players pass the basketball from hand to hand in front of the body using only the fingertips. Move ball from ankles, to knees, to waist, to chest, to head, and to above head using the fingertips. Encourage players to keep their arms straight.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Front-to-Back Quick Drops Drill

With feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, players should hold the basketball between their legs with both hands behind their bodies. Players should drop the ball while switching both hands from back to front. Encourage players to catch the ball before it hits the floor.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Leg Wraps Drill

With feet shoulder-width apart and one foot slightly in front of the other, players pass the basketball around their front knee or ankle.

NOTE: Hand quickness, keeping the head up, and ball control should be emphasized during all ball handling drills.

 

Partner Dribbling Drill

This drill integrates the following techniques: dribbling, court spacing, moving without the basketball, passing, and receiving. Instruct each player to get a partner (or pair up players). Two pairs can do this drill at the same time, as each pair will be on opposite sides of the goal. Use a whistle or voice command to prompt a pass.

• One player will dribble around a designated area as his or her partner moves without the basketball to get open.
• Dribbler should use cuts, changes of direction, and different dribbles.
• The other partner moves without the basketball, staying within 8 to 10 feet of his or her dribbling teammate.
• Player without the basketball shows “ready hands” for a target.
• Dribbler comes to a jump stop and immediately passes to his or her teammate.
• Player receives pass in triple threat position while moving toward the passer and meeting the pass (teach “ball in air/feet in air” concept when receiving a pass).
• Each pair should go 30 seconds before rotating out.

Options for dribbler after jump stop: immediate pass, pivot-pass, ball fakes-pass, shot fakes–pass.

 

TV Dribble Drill

• Players sit on the floor with their legs spread and practice dribbling using their fingertips.
• Players should work both hands.
• Players should dribble 30 seconds before rotating out

Forward March

• Walk forward.
• Bring ball in and out of legs.
• Make sure that the ball is always brought from the front to the back.
• Keep your head up while walking.

Tipping

• Hold basketball overhead with elbows extended up as high as possible.
• Get on toes.
• Tip basketball back and forth on fingertips.

Funnel

• Hold basketball overhead with elbows extended up as high as possible.
• Get on toes.
• Keep basketball at arms length with elbows extended.
• Tip basketball back and forth wile bringing it down in front of your body to the floor and then back up and over your head.
• Make sure to bend your knees to get the ball all the way to the floor.

Cradle

• Hold basketball between your legs with one hand in front of your body and one hand behind your body.
• Now, reverse the position of your hands without letting the ball touch the floor.
• Continue to reverse positions.

Tunnel

• Hold basketball between your legs and just in front of your body with both hands in front of your body.
• Toss ball slightly backwards and catch the ball just behind your legs with both hands just behind your body.
• Continue to go from front to back.

Circle 8

• Create a stance with your right leg forward.
• Place your left hand behind your back.
• With your right hand, dribble the basketball around your right leg in a circle and reverse circle.

 

Dribbling Circle

• Bring your legs and feet together.
• Bend your knees slightly.
• Dribble the basketball in a circle around your legs in one direction and then reverse the direction.

Bridge

• Kneel in a stride stance.
• Dribble the basketball back and forth under the forward bent knee.
• Then dribble around the foot and under the knee.
• Then dribble completely around your body (while continuing to kneel).
• Reverse direction.

Under and Over

• Sit down with your legs extended.
• Begin with a right hand dribble.
• Left your legs and dribble the ball under your legs to your left hand.
• Continue back and forth between left and right hand dribble.

Merry-Go-Round

• Sit down with your legs extended.
• Begin with a right hand dribble.
• Bring the basketball around your back to your left hand.
• Then bring the ball under your legs to your right hand.
• Reverse directions.

 

Back and Forth

• Sit down with your legs extended.
• Begin with a right hand dribble.
• Dribble the ball back and forth behind your back from right hand to left hand.

Tom Tom

• Sit down with your legs extended and spread apart.
• Begin dribbling the ball between your legs as quickly as possible while alternating hands.

Quick Taps

• Stand up with ball between your legs.
• Start with one hand in front and one hand in back.
• Keep the dribble alive while moving hands from front to back and continually tapping the ball.

Dribbling Drills with Two Basketballs

1. Dribble two balls in synchronization to about waist high.  Then dribble lower and then higher.
2. Dribble two balls in synchronization to about waist high.  Exchange balls by dribbling one in front and the other in back, changing hands.
3. Dribble two balls in anti-synchronization (when one ball is going to the floor, the other is coming up from the floor.  Dribble them higher and lower.
4. Dribble two balls in synchronization to about waist high.  Dribble up the court.  Stop.  Dribble up the court.  Stop.  Continue.
5. Dribble two balls in synchronization to about waist high. Dribble up the court and without stopping, cross over balls from left to right and vice versa and continue to dribble up the court.
6. Dribble two balls in synchronization to about waist high.  Exchange balls by putting one ball through the legs.