The Best Ball Handling Drills

Ball handling/dribbling  is a VITAL part of the game of basketball.

Whether you’re a guard or big man, you need to be able to handle the ball well if you want to become a great player.

The best way to improve your handles is to perform ball handling drills regularly, as practice makes perfect.

Here is a list of the best dribbling drills that you can immediately implement in your workouts to drastically improve your handles.

Double Dribble Drill (alternate)

• To perform this drill, stand at one end of the court, with two balls (one in each hand).
• Start walking to the opposite baseline, and bounce the ball in your right hand.
• As soon as it hits the floor, bounce the ball in your left hand.
• Keep doing this alternate bouncing rhythmically until the you reach the opposite baseline.
• Focus on keeping a good rhythm, and increase your pace as you get better with the drill.
• Also, focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.
• This drill may seem simple, but it’s very effective (even NBA players and other pros regularly do this drill).
• You can add variations to the drill as you become more advanced e.g. doing it while moving backwards.

Double Dribble Drill (simultaneous)

• This drill is similar to the previous one, except that you dribble both balls AT THE SAME TIME instead of alternately.
• You will not be able to move as quickly as the other drill, so focus on proper form.
• Focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.
• Add variations to the drill as you become more advanced e.g. moving diagonally or backwards.

Around The World Drill

• This is an extremely popular drill, often performed during the warm up phase of basketball practice.
• To begin with, circle the ball around your head – start clockwise then switch directions.
• Circle the ball around your waist – switch directions.
• Bend at the waist, spread your legs about shoulder width apart and circle the ball around one leg – switch directions.
• Repeat with the other leg.
• Finally, put both feet together and bend at the waist, circling the ball around your knees – switch directions.
• Focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.
• This is a great drill because it will greatly improve your hand speed and feel for the ball.

Scissor Drill

• Put your right foot in front of your left foot.
• Begin bouncing the ball between your legs, from your left hand to your right hand.
• As the ball gets to your right hand, switch your leg so that your left leg is now in front of your right leg.
• Bounce the ball from your right hand to your left hand, and rhythmically repeat this process, switching your legs with every bounce.
• Focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.
• Strive to get faster while maintaining proper form and without losing the ball!

Squat and Catch Drill

• Squat down and hold the ball between your legs with both hands – your right hand holding the ball at the front, and your left hand holding it at the back.
• Quickly switch hands so that your left hand is holding the ball at the front, and the right hand holding it at the back.
• Repeat this drill as quickly as you can.
• Focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.
• It takes a lot of practice to master this dribbling drill.

Crab Drill

• Stand at one end of the court.
• Bend at the waist and step forward with your right foot.
• As you do this, pass the ball underneath your right leg from your left hand to your right hand.
• Next, step forward with your left foot.
• As you do this, pass the ball underneath your left leg from your right hand to your left hand.
• Repeat this sequence until you get to the half-court line or the opposite baseline.
• Focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.
• As you progress, try to sprint faster without losing the ball.

Figure 8 Drill

• Bend your waist and spread your legs.
• Move the ball through your legs in a figure 8 motion.
• Think of it like your doing the scissor drill without bouncing the ball or switching legs.
• Focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.

Figure 8 Drill (Dribbling)

• Similar to the Figure 8 drill but this time you dribble the ball as you go through the motion.
• Focus on only using your fingertips when you dribble and try to dribble quickly.
• Always keep your head up and don’t look at the ball.
• This drill will dramatically improve your ball handling skills.

Multiple Defender Drill

• This is a great drill to help you stay calm and dribble under pressure without turning the ball over.
• Get two players to stand in front of you and guard you as you try to advance the ball past them.
• The players should be aggressively guarding you, like they do during a trap play.
• This drill will teach you to stay calm under pressure and find holes in the defense.
• As usual, always keep your head up so you can find open teammates (simulating a real game situation).

Pass and Catch Drill

• Using both hands, bounce the ball between your legs from the front to the back, and catch the ball with both hands behind you.
• Next, using both hands again, bounce the ball through your legs from the back to the front, catching the ball in front of you.
• Focus on keeping your head up and NOT looking at the ball.

Finger Tip Drill

• Hold the ball with both hands in front of you, bend your elbows and pass the ball from one hand to the other, using only your fingertips.
• As you become advanced, do the same thing but keep the ball above your head.
• Try not to look at the ball while you do this drill.
• This drill will build your fingertip strength and control, which is very important if you want to become a great ball handler.