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How to improve ball control and dribbling basketball
Basketball Dribbling and Ball Handling Video Clips, Fundamentals, Drills, and Tips
Most coaches use dribbling and ball handling interchangeably. Though they are linked, the 2 skills are definitely separate.
Dribbling and controlling the ball is a skill that can be practiced alone and is separate from the other ball skills on the court. Ball handling, however, involves knowledge of the game and integrates dribbling, passing and decision-making.
Practicing and improving your dribbling is a simple task. There are innumerable dribbling drills that are in use today that are challenging and effective. The set of drills that have come to be known as "Maravich Drills," (after the late ball-handling wizard Pete Maravich) are widely known. They include drills such as passing the ball around your body, dribble figure 8s, spider dribbling, drop and catch.
Practicing and improving your ball handling requires imagination, as you have to put yourself in game situations.
One of our favorite series of ballhandling drills that helps develop better ballhandlers is the Maravich series! Watch it below.
9 Tips To Improve Your Dribbling & Ball Handling
Here are 9 tips from pro coach Don Kelbick.
Dribble the ball hard. The more time the ball spends in your hand, the more control you have of the ball. The harder you dribble, the quicker it gets back in your hand.
Head up at all times. Look at the rim or a spot on the wall during all practice.
Use your finger tips to control the ball, not your palm.
Use your imagination. Picture when and how you would use each of the dribbles.
Teach mentality. There is too much dribbling for no reason in our game today. I like to teach that the primary purpose for putting the ball on the floor is to get a lay-up. If you don't have an opportunity, don't put it on the floor.
Basketball is a game of length. Work on lengthening the dribble. Work to get your opportunities with 1 dribble. You don't beat defenses with your dribble. You beat people with your feet; you SEPARATE from your defense with the dribble.
Basketball is also a game of angles. Try to move in straight lines. Whenever you make an "East-West" move (something that takes you toward the sideline), re-capture a "North-South" path (direct line to the basket) as quickly as possible.
Don't do things in 2 dribbles that you can do in 1.
Practice outside your comfort zone. Experiment; go faster than you are used to, use your imagination. When working on new skills, don't be concerned with losing the ball. Just pick it up and do it again. If you practice only things that are comfortable, then you will never improve.
More Ball Handling Tips and Articles
Executing The Basketball Pick and Roll
The Importance of the Back Up Dribble and How It Reduces Turnovers Against Pressure
A Secret to Chris Paul's Success - Change of Pace
Handling Ball Screens Like Steve Nash
Chris Paul Hesitation Move & The Importance of Counter Moves [VIDEO]
Other Blog Posts About Ball Handling
Dribbling Practice
"Maravich Drills" are very good at getting players comfortable with the ball. Below are some examples.
Dribble Figure 8's - Spread legs about shoulder width. Dribble the ball through and around legs in a figure 8. Can be done multiple ways - front to back, back to front, low dribbles (as many dribbles as possible with dribble about shoe height), as few dribbles as possible (high dribble about waist high), can even be done walking. For even more of a challenge, try the drill with one hand instead of two.
Spider Dribble - Feet spread about shoulder width. Dribble the ball between your legs in the following manner - left hand, right hand in front of your legs; left hand, right hand behind your legs. Work to as fast a possible.
Drop and Catch - Hold ball between your legs with right hand in front of your body, left hand behind. Drop the ball and exchange you hand position and re-catch the ball before it hits the ground.
These are just examples. There are too many of these drills to list here. Pete Maravich devised these drills out of his imagination, his need for challenge and his drive to improve. You do not need to be bound by other people's drills; challenge yourself to come up with your own drills.
Dribbling Warm Ups
I prefer to practice skills in combinations that are relevant to multiple aspects of the game. It saves time and instills a great sense of urgency.. It
saves time and has a great sense of urgency. One of the ways I do this is to add dribbling into my stretching exercises.
Hamstring Stretch - While dribbling with your right hand, cross right leg over left. Bend at the waist, touch the floor with your left
hand and bring your dribble down to shoe top level. Hold for an 8 count. Reverse position and switch hands.
Lower Body and Achilles Stretch - Dribble waist high while standing up. Step as far forward with your right leg as you can, keeping
your back straight and your left heel on the ground. At the same time bring your dribble forward of your right foot, keeping the ball at
shoe-top height. Hold for an 8 count and then stand up. Switch legs and dribble hand.
Crossover - Same as above except, step forward with left leg. As foot goes to the floor, switch hands, right to left, keeping
dribble shoe top height. Cross back when standing up.
Through Legs - Same as above except instead of crossing over, put ball through legs at shoe top height.
Multiple Through Legs - Same as above except put ball through legs 3 times (left, right, left) on quick, successive dribbles
shoe top height.
Torso Twist - Spread legs outside of shoulder width, dribble with right hand. Keeping legs straight, bring ball across body to
left side, outside left foot and dribble at shoe top height behind left foot.
These are just samples. You can develop a dribble stretch for any part of the body.
Two Ball Dribbling Drills & Videos:
I think the most effective way to improve your dribble, however, is by using 2 balls. Any dribble or drill you can do with 1 ball, you can do with 2.
Stationary practice at first will build confidence. Stand on the baseline and try to control both balls. Then start to move. Go half court, then full court. Follow
the lines around the court or in any route you can come up with.
To see more DRILLS & VIDEOS Click Here.
The difference between dribbling and ball handling is intent. Dribbling is the skill of controlling the ball as you bounce it to the floor. Ball handling (at least 1 aspect of ball handling) is what you do with that dribble.
Whether you use it to go to the basket, make a passing angle, escape from pressure or anything else, those situations have to be imagined and practiced.
Here are some situational drills:
Full Court Lay-ups - Start on the baseline. Dribble full court with right hand in 5 dribbles and make a lay-up, come back with left hand. Then reduce the number of dribbles to 4 and then to 3.
Chair Changes - Place a chair about 21 feet from the basket. It can be on top, on the wing, or in the corner. Start about 8-10 feet beyond the chair. Dribble straight at the chair. At the chair, use a change of direction dribble (crossover, inside out, behind back, etc) to go beyond the chair and make a lay-up. Try to get to the point where you only need one dribble to get to the lay-up. Practice all the changes.
Two up - Two back - Set a chair such as in the drill above. Take 2 hard dribbles at the chair. When reaching the chair, take 2 backup dribbles. After the second dribble, push ahead into 1 dribble lay-up or pull-up jumpshot.
Dropstep Dribble - (works on footwork and ballhanding)
Chair Curl - This is another great multi use drill. It combines shooting, ball handling and speed and high intensity change in direction.
Chair Curl Phase 2 (With 2 Chairs)
Two Ball Dribbling Drills & Moves - Excellent way to improve one on one moves.
Basketball Pick and Roll Drills
Shooting drills can also be adapted to work on ball handling aspects by adding changes of direction and pivoting to create 1 and 2 dribble opportunities for either jumpers or lay-ups.
Once you have developed a feel for the ball, it's very important that you practice your ball handling in competitive, game-like situations with defenders present. In the DVD 30 Competitive Skill Development Drills, you will find 12 drills that are specific to improving your ball handling skills in game-like situations.
More Dribbling and Ball Handling Drills
Coaches, go here for more Dribbling & Ball Handling Drills
Players, go here for more Dribbling & Ball Handling Drills
Recommended Training Resources:
Youth Ball Handling & Workout App - Over 200 ball handling and footwork drills. 24 Different Levels.
SKLZ Court Vision dribble goggles will help you develop better ball control and improved awareness of the whole court. They force players to handle the ball with their head up to survey the court...(more info)
Progressions To Teach Better Basketball Ball Control
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Basketball ball control is an important skill to teach. The ability to dribble the basketball well is critical at every level of the sport. But it’s a skill that can be challenging for some athletes to learn. Here are several concepts to improve your ability to control basketball.
Fingertip control
When dribbling, your fingertips control the basketball. Many beginners make the mistake of slapping the ball with their palms. This frequently results in the ball being hit too hard, and it means they don’t have good control over the ball.
One exercise can be done to teach this concept.
Pick up the basketball and hold it in front of you.
Keeping your hands close together, toss the ball back and forth.
As you do this, focus on keeping only your fingertips in contact with the ball.
Once you get comfortable, lift your arms straight up until they are over your head. As you lift your arms up, continue to toss the ball back and forth using your fingertips.
Now move down until the ball is level with your knees, continue tossing it back and forth using your fingertips.
In addition to teaching the concept, this is a great warm-up drill.
Ball Awareness
Basketball players must develop an awareness of where the ball is in space without needing to look at it. This is important because in addition to dribbling the ball, they need to read the defense, react to it and take advantage of opportunities the offense creates. This skill is also difficult for beginners to develop.
One exercise to improve this skill involves holding the basketball and making circles with it around your body.
Starting at your waist, make the ball travel around your waist in a big circle without letting it touch your body.
Make circles in both directions.
Now do it without looking at the ball.
As you get comfortable with this, continue making circles but move the ball down your legs until you reach knee height.
Now make a figure eight around your knees.
Remember to do this drill in both directions!
This is another great warm-up drill.
Dribble Progressions
I like to spend a lot of time dribbling in place. This allows me to get a good look at what my athletes are doing with the dribble. One mistake that many beginning players make is to allow a lot of movement from their wrist while dribbling. This results in a really ineffective dribble. Athletes should be encouraged to keep their wrist neutral and push down on the ball.
Start off by dribbling in place and looking at the ball. Dribble with your preferred hand, then switch hands. After that, look up at a point in front of you. Progress to looking up at the coach. Next, dribble the ball from one hand to the other with your eyes down, eyes to the front, and eyes up, in a progression. Finally, dribble the ball from in front of your body to a point just behind you with the same eye progressions.
Moving With The Ball, React
As you become better with stationary dribbling, you need to realize that dribbling while moving down the court is a different skill, and you have to keep your eyes up to know what’s going on. To teach this skill, I have players face me and begin dribbling. I give them hand signals like walk toward me, walk backward, move to the right, move to the left, etc.
Point Guard Drills
Drills that focus on dribbling in isolation become boring after awhile, and athletes need to be able to see how they apply. One drill I like to employ, which also incorporates layups, is performed from half court.
Begin at half court on the left sideline facing the basket. Start dribbling with your right hand, move to the goal and make a layup. Rebound your shot, then dribble down the opposite sideline to half court. Repeat using your left hand. Eventually, you want to be able to execute this drill at a dead run and from a crossover dribble.
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Basketball ball control is an important skill to teach. The ability to dribble the basketball well is critical at every level of the sport. But it’s a skill that can be challenging for some athletes to learn. Here are several concepts to improve your ability to control basketball.
Fingertip control
When dribbling, your fingertips control the basketball. Many beginners make the mistake of slapping the ball with their palms. This frequently results in the ball being hit too hard, and it means they don’t have good control over the ball.
One exercise can be done to teach this concept.
Pick up the basketball and hold it in front of you.
Keeping your hands close together, toss the ball back and forth.
As you do this, focus on keeping only your fingertips in contact with the ball.
Once you get comfortable, lift your arms straight up until they are over your head. As you lift your arms up, continue to toss the ball back and forth using your fingertips.
Now move down until the ball is level with your knees, continue tossing it back and forth using your fingertips.
In addition to teaching the concept, this is a great warm-up drill.
Ball Awareness
Basketball players must develop an awareness of where the ball is in space without needing to look at it. This is important because in addition to dribbling the ball, they need to read the defense, react to it and take advantage of opportunities the offense creates. This skill is also difficult for beginners to develop.
One exercise to improve this skill involves holding the basketball and making circles with it around your body.
Starting at your waist, make the ball travel around your waist in a big circle without letting it touch your body.
Make circles in both directions.
Now do it without looking at the ball.
As you get comfortable with this, continue making circles but move the ball down your legs until you reach knee height.
Now make a figure eight around your knees.
Remember to do this drill in both directions!
This is another great warm-up drill.
Dribble Progressions
I like to spend a lot of time dribbling in place. This allows me to get a good look at what my athletes are doing with the dribble. One mistake that many beginning players make is to allow a lot of movement from their wrist while dribbling. This results in a really ineffective dribble. Athletes should be encouraged to keep their wrist neutral and push down on the ball.
Start off by dribbling in place and looking at the ball. Dribble with your preferred hand, then switch hands. After that, look up at a point in front of you. Progress to looking up at the coach. Next, dribble the ball from one hand to the other with your eyes down, eyes to the front, and eyes up, in a progression. Finally, dribble the ball from in front of your body to a point just behind you with the same eye progressions.
Moving With The Ball, React
As you become better with stationary dribbling, you need to realize that dribbling while moving down the court is a different skill, and you have to keep your eyes up to know what’s going on. To teach this skill, I have players face me and begin dribbling. I give them hand signals like walk toward me, walk backward, move to the right, move to the left, etc.
Point Guard Drills
Drills that focus on dribbling in isolation become boring after awhile, and athletes need to be able to see how they apply. One drill I like to employ, which also incorporates layups, is performed from half court.
Begin at half court on the left sideline facing the basket. Start dribbling with your right hand, move to the goal and make a layup. Rebound your shot, then dribble down the opposite sideline to half court. Repeat using your left hand. Eventually, you want to be able to execute this drill at a dead run and from a crossover dribble.
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Dribble drills | Basketball
Dribbling exercises can teach all phases of the ball, including low or controlling dribbling, in which the player has to maintain the correct position in relation to the defender. This type of dribble is used when the opponent guards the dribbler but does not make a serious attempt to take the ball. In drills with defenders, care must be taken to ensure that the dribbler's legs are bent at the knees, that he advances in a low stance with the back straight and head up, and that the body is between the defender and the ball. In a controlling dribble, the ball should not be raised too high, and the player should keep his head up at all times to see the entire court. The dribbler must be ready to use his body to cover the ball if a defender gets in his way and impedes his progress.
Other drills should include a high or speed dribble used mainly when there is no resistance from the opponent or when the dribbler is in front of a defender and is moving quickly towards the basket. This lead is carried out in a high stance. The dribbler controls the ball slightly above the waist and sends it further forward to catch up with the ball every time it hits the floor. During the lead, you must maintain maximum speed.
Transferring the ball to the other hand with a step to the side, dribble with a change of pace and with a turn are also included in the exercises. In addition, it is necessary to learn tactics in which the dribbler stops in a stable position, makes a turn and passes the ball from hand to hand to his partner.
At the beginning of the season it is best to use competition exercises.
Dribbling exercise along the entire court (fig. 18). The team is divided into three groups with an equal number of players in each. The first player of each group, at the command of the coach, begins a high-speed dribble and moves at full speed to the opposite end of the court. On the opposite endline, he turns around and dribbles the ball in the opposite direction with his other hand. On the end line, he passes the ball to the next player in the column. Coaches must warn players not to pass or receive the ball until the dribbler has passed the end line. The next player in the column must not move until the ball has crossed the end line. This is a great exercise with a competitive element to use when players need to get excited.
Obstacle guidance (fig. 19). The team is divided into three groups. Five obstacles are set up for each group (we prefer to use towels as they are easy to put down and pick up). Players dribble from one endline to the other and back, changing their lead hand as each obstacle passes. They dribble the ball with their right hand to the first obstacle, then transfer it to the other hand, etc. After returning back, they pass the ball from hand to hand to the next player in the column.
Coaches supervise the technique of dribbling. Players must keep their heads up. When transferring the ball to the other hand, you should not let it go far from the body at the moment when the leg of the same name with the dribbling side comes forward (when transferring the ball from right to left, the ball rises when the right leg is lowered and pushed to the left when the left leg comes forward).
This emotional exercise can be used when players need an element of competition. It helps to break the monotony of daily training and is especially useful for teaching the basics of dribble at the beginning of training sessions.
Exercise in dribbling the ball along the entire court and throwing in motion (fig. 20). The team is divided into two groups. The first player in each column dribbles to the side basket, shoots on the move, recovers the ball, dribbles to the outfield basket, shoots on the move, recovers the ball, dribbles to the start line and shoots the final on the move. The next player in the column picks up the ball and repeats the drill. This is an emotional exercise that improves speed dribbling. Coaches ensure that the head of the dribbler is kept up at all times and that the players have proper control of the ball. They also pay attention to the technique of throwing on the move.
Dribbling exercise along the entire court with turns (fig. 21). The team is divided into three groups and the assistant sets up five obstacles for each group. Players 1, 6 and 11 dribble quickly to the first hurdle, stop to the right of it (dribbling in place), pivot on their left foot, move the ball from right to left hand, go around the hurdle to the left and continue to dribble with their left hand. At the next obstacle, the players stop, turn on their right foot, go around it to the right and continue to the third obstacle. Then they turn again on their left foot and transfer the ball to the other hand without stopping the dribble for a second. So they reach the opposite end of the site, go around the last obstacle and return back, turning at each obstacle. At the starting line, students pass the ball to the next player from hand to hand.
In the early stages of training, this exercise allows you to identify players who have deficiencies in dribbling and turning. The drill is especially useful for weak dribblers as it requires good ball control. Players love this drill, so it should be used frequently in the early stages of training.
Head up dribbling exercise (fig. 22). This is an excellent exercise for teaching head placement during dribble and for developing peripheral vision. Players line up under the basket behind the end line. The first player in the column dribbles with his head up towards the coach, who is positioned halfway between the nearest circle of the free throw area and the center line facing the far basket. At the far end of the court, three players face the dribbler - one at the left touchline, another in the free throw circle, and a third at the right touchline. As soon as the player with the ball passes by the coach, he indicates the player to whom the dribbler should pass the ball. The coach randomly selects different players. If he points to the left, then the receiving player on the left side of the court (player 1 in the picture) starts moving towards the dribbler. The dribbler immediately passes the ball to that player and moves forward. He then receives the hand-to-hand pass, continues to dribble to the basket and shoots on the move. The player himself picks up the ball, dribbles it from either side of the court in the opposite direction along the touchline and passes the ball to the next player in the column. The second player, who starts the drill after receiving the pass, dribbles to the coach and passes it to the player designated by the coach. If the coach wants the ball to be passed to a player in the free throw area, he raises his arm above his head. The coach must indicate the player receiving the ball only after the dribbler has passed him so that he does not see who the coach is pointing at. Often players try to anticipate the coach's signal and pass to the wrong player. The players love this exercise.
The coach should use this exercise for 4 to 5 minutes, inviting different players so that none of them stand still for a long time. You can use 4 or 5 balls.
Lead, turn, gear (Fig. 23). Four columns of players take their places on one side of the court. The first and third players in the columns are in possession of the balls. Obstacles are set for each column on the site.
This is a paired dribble drill that teaches players to stop, pivot on their “inside” foot (the foot closest to the obstruction) and pass the ball to the player following behind. The player following behind must time the moves so that the dribbler has time to see him before making the pass. The player who received the pass quickly dribbles the ball to the next obstruction, turns and passes the ball to the first player, who by then is already moving behind him. Basketball players control the ball by dribbling with the hand farthest from the obstacle they are approaching. Each of the two players bypasses the obstacle on his side. As they move along the court, the first player must perform a jump stop in front of the obstacle, landing with the pivot foot (the foot closest to the obstacle) behind or at the same level as the other foot. When he turns, the player behind him receives the pass from hand to hand and then quickly dribbles the ball to the next obstacle with the hand farthest from him. While advancing on the court, one player dribbles the ball with his right hand, stops, turns on his left foot and passes the ball to a partner from hand to hand. The second player dribbles with his left hand, stops, turns on his right foot and passes the ball from hand to hand to a partner.
Four couples start the exercise at the same time. Having reached the opposite end of the court, the players wait until the rest of the exercise is completed. To perform the exercise in the opposite direction, the players change places.
This exercise should be used frequently in pre-season training. Players learn to dribble with each hand, pivot on each foot, and pass the ball from hand to hand in all directions.
Lead with change of pace and resistance (fig. 24). Players line up in four columns in the same way as in the previous exercise. The first player acts as a defender, the second as a dribbler. The dribbler dribbles with resistance from the defender, but does not try to go around him, but simply covers the ball. At the whistle, the dribbler stops, continuing to dribble in place and covering the ball, then transfers the ball to the other hand and dribbles it until the next whistle. The coach must blow the whistle 3-4 times during the dribble from one end of the court to the other, stopping players at the near free-throw line, in the middle of the court, at the far free-throw line and at the far end line. At each stop, the dribbler transfers the ball to the other hand and changes direction. On the far front line, the players change roles.
In this exercise the players learn how to control the ball and how to stop in different parts of the court. Defenders learn to get back into an advantageous position if they have lost it as a result of the dribbler's actions. Coaches pay attention to proper dribble stance, low (controlling) dribbling, and correct defender movement. If the defender is able to stop the dribbler, he must continue to dribble on the spot and then try to go forward again when the whistle allows the rest of the players to continue moving.
Dribbling and passing to the basket (fig. 25). The team is divided into three or four groups lining up near the center line. Each group has two balls. Each player must dribble, feint, stop, turn, change direction, change pace, move to the basket and shoot while moving, making sure that no other player is approaching the basket from the opposite side. You can use any tricks, passes or dribbles and start the drill from anywhere on the court. Strikers usually start from the corner, feinting into the middle or along the endline, make a turn and then pass either into the middle or along the endline. Posts may start at the free-throw area circle or from their normal positions. Players change sides of the court so as not to pass to the basket all the time from one point.
exercises and useful tips for beginners
Basketball is one of the most difficult and spectacular ball games. The beauty of the duel depends not only on the number of hits in the basket. The main thing is still the technical aspects of dribbling and passing it. At the same time, you can’t just take a projectile and immediately play like LeBron James. It takes years of hard work to grow a real basketball player out of a child.
Among the many specific terms in this game sport is the concept of dribbling. Translated from English, the word means "to carry the ball" and implies the ability to maneuver with it during a duel. Dribbling training in basketball is aimed at developing this skill in the attacking team, who must not give the ball to the opposing side. The beauty of the game and the result of a sporting event largely depend on how the attacker owns dribbling.
Ways of dribbling
Basketball is a game based on three pillars - dribbling, passing, throwing. Each stage is important, requires skill and affects the course of the game. Dribbling means the maneuvering movement of the attacker on the playing field with the projectile. At the same time, it is forbidden to hold it in the hands, with the exception of the moments of transfer to the partner and when making a throw. In the process of dribbling, it is necessary that the projectile constantly bounces off the floor, and the athlete can touch it with his fingertips or with an open palm.
The dribbler constantly moves around the playing court and maneuvers between the defenders of the opposite team, for which he uses a variety of techniques:
changes the speed of movement;
makes sudden stops;
performs so-called feints with shoulders, arms, head and even eyes.
All these techniques pursue several goals at the same time:
Organize the correct direction of attack.
Move the ball into the opponent's zone as close to the basket as possible.
Beat an opponent and make a successful roll.
If there is a cluster of players from the opposing team around the projectile, then remove the ball from there.
Do not let the enemy take possession of the projectile, which is especially important in the last minutes of the match.
There are 2 types of dribbling: high and low. The first is performed at high speed and is used in situations where a basketball player needs to quickly move around the court. In this case, the leading arm is almost completely straightened. The height of the bounce can reach the athlete's chest, but the amplitude should be maintained at which the basketball player manages to develop maximum speed.
The second method is also known as shell cover . It is used when it is necessary to dodge an opponent. In this case, the basketball player's legs are bent, the body is tilted forward, the arm is pressed to the body, the rebound is not higher than the level of the knees. Moments of low driving are characterized by the highest intensity.
Dribbling drills
Professional basketball players are excellent at dribbling. Many techniques are very difficult to perform, but at the same time the most effective during martial arts.
Dribbling behind the back
An excellent trick, used by players when they are blocked by opponents from the target and they need to escape, but not give up the projectile. The athlete takes a stance on bent legs and passes the ball from one hand to another, doing it behind his back, covering his body from the opponent.
Dribbling between the legs
A very difficult and effective hold. For its execution, the legs are placed as wide as possible and bent at the knees, one hand is located in front, the other behind the body, the eyes look at the enemy. In this position, the ball is passed from one hand to the other, each time moving between the legs.
Keeping the head up
This means guiding without eye tracking. Only the most experienced players can act like this. With this skill, the basketball player does not need to be distracted by the search and visual tracking of the ball, which makes it possible to concentrate on more serious goals.
Crossovers
This technique also belongs to the category of deceptive and disorienting opponent. The attacker dribbles around the court, hitting the projectile with one or the other hand, “drawing” the Latin letter V. In such a situation, it is difficult for the opponent to understand from which side the attacking actions will follow.
How to learn basketball dribbling at home: tips for beginners
You don't have to be on the court to hone your dribbling skills. This can be done anywhere, because at the initial stage it is necessary to simply get used to the ball, learn how to feel it, hit it, control the rebounds. This can be done in any open area, in the yard and even in the apartment. Start by slapping the ball. This develops the sensitivity of the palms. Keep your wrist as relaxed as possible at the moment of impact.
Another fundamental skill to master at the very beginning is dribbling with the tips of the phalanges. In this case, you should learn to control the impact force and at the same time increase the speed.
To improve the quality of training outside the gym:
find a friend and train together;
master the simultaneous dribbling of two balls, alternate hands, then hit both balls at the same time, then in turn, change the rhythm of rebounds;
learn to dribble not only moving forward, but also sideways or moving backwards;
practice driving at every opportunity: on the way to the store, to the bus stop, to school, etc., practicing the ball handle in basketball is especially effective when moving on an uneven surface;
always use both hands during training;
arrange an obstacle course, use any available items and go through it, changing the configuration of the track from time to time;
start training with standard exercises, as you master them, you can move on to more complex ones;
to develop strength in the arms (which is a necessary condition for success in this sport), train them by squeezing a rubber ball. This can be done outside the basketball court and not even during training, but in any free minute.
You will probably be interested to know about this : “How is street basketball different from ordinary basketball?” and "How to learn to play basketball?".
Basketball dribbling training
When you learn to control bounces, hold the ball confidently, and move along a given trajectory without losing it, you can move on to mastering the classic tricks.
Touching with the tips of the knuckles, not with the palm of the hand
The ability to dribble only with the tips of the fingers, according to many professionals, is one of the main skills in basketball. The projectile should be controlled, but not exerted with excessive effort, and this can be achieved not by slapping it with the whole palm, but only by touching it with the fingertips. The palm should be opened as much as possible, fingers spread out so that the grip area is maximum, but at the same time work only with the phalanges.
Rebound work
Take the ball in your supporting hand with only your fingertips and tap it on the floor. Hit him firmly and confidently, but not too hard, as this will make it difficult to control. Every time try to catch the ball, doing it gently without effort and tension of the hand, and then hit it in the same manner.
Keeping the hand on top of the ball
For complete control of the ball during movement, the palm must always remain on top of the ball while dribbling. This will prevent the projectile from flying far and will not give the enemy a chance to knock it out. This skill worked out to automatism will also help to avoid accidental catching from below, which is punishable by a fine in the game.
Holding the body between the guarding opponent and the projectile
Being in this position, you create big problems for the opponent in terms of possession of the ball. The reception is especially effective if several representatives of the opposing side have gathered around you.
Low stance work
Low holding prevents the opponent from taking possession of the projectile. For a successful maneuver, the legs should be bent at the knees, and the body is tilted forward, rebounds should be as frequent and low as possible (not higher than the leader’s thigh). To hone the exercise, you need to learn how to feel comfortable when the projectile is somewhere below. In this case, tilting to the sides is not allowed.
Stoppage avoidance
A stoppage while dribbling must always end with an action - a pass or a throw. Otherwise, further dribbling, according to the rules, will be impossible, which the enemy will certainly take advantage of.
Timely passing
Masterful dribbling is beautiful, but everything should be in moderation. There are many situations in which it is much more efficient and useful for the team to pass the ball to colleagues. For example, in the case when they are in a better shooting position or if the space between you and the basket is occupied by several opponents.
Do not run before throwing
In this sport, running is prohibited, which includes one step with the ball in hand, especially carrying the projectile while walking or running, as well as moving or changing the supporting leg during a stop. Hence the conclusion: it is necessary to work out the skill of moving around the sports ground without the above-described hitches.
Training Goggles
Special goggles have been invented for practicing blind dribbling. They look a little like the ones swimmers use: a plastic frame with rubber straps and a thick rubber shutter at the bottom. The rubber helps the goggles stay tight on the head during training and closes the athlete's view from below. It is this curtain that plays the main role: the basketball player does not see the projectile. This forces him to focus not on the projectile, but on what is happening on the field.
If you don't have an opportunity, don't put it on the floor.
Below are some examples.
You do not need to be bound by other people's drills; challenge yourself to come up with your own drills.
Hold for an 8 count and then stand up. Switch legs and dribble hand.
Any dribble or drill you can do with 1 ball, you can do with 2.
Stationary practice at first will build confidence. Stand on the baseline and try to control both balls. Then start to move. Go half court, then full court. Follow
the lines around the court or in any route you can come up with.
24 Different Levels.
Many beginners make the mistake of slapping the ball with their palms. This frequently results in the ball being hit too hard, and it means they don’t have good control over the ball.
This is important because in addition to dribbling the ball, they need to read the defense, react to it and take advantage of opportunities the offense creates. This skill is also difficult for beginners to develop.
One mistake that many beginning players make is to allow a lot of movement from their wrist while dribbling. This results in a really ineffective dribble. Athletes should be encouraged to keep their wrist neutral and push down on the ball.
Many beginners make the mistake of slapping the ball with their palms. This frequently results in the ball being hit too hard, and it means they don’t have good control over the ball.
This is important because in addition to dribbling the ball, they need to read the defense, react to it and take advantage of opportunities the offense creates. This skill is also difficult for beginners to develop.
One mistake that many beginning players make is to allow a lot of movement from their wrist while dribbling. This results in a really ineffective dribble. Athletes should be encouraged to keep their wrist neutral and push down on the ball.
In drills with defenders, care must be taken to ensure that the dribbler's legs are bent at the knees, that he advances in a low stance with the back straight and head up, and that the body is between the defender and the ball. In a controlling dribble, the ball should not be raised too high, and the player should keep his head up at all times to see the entire court. The dribbler must be ready to use his body to cover the ball if a defender gets in his way and impedes his progress. 
In addition, it is necessary to learn tactics in which the dribbler stops in a stable position, makes a turn and passes the ball from hand to hand to his partner. 
It helps to break the monotony of daily training and is especially useful for teaching the basics of dribble at the beginning of training sessions. 
Players 1, 6 and 11 dribble quickly to the first hurdle, stop to the right of it (dribbling in place), pivot on their left foot, move the ball from right to left hand, go around the hurdle to the left and continue to dribble with their left hand. At the next obstacle, the players stop, turn on their right foot, go around it to the right and continue to the third obstacle. Then they turn again on their left foot and transfer the ball to the other hand without stopping the dribble for a second. So they reach the opposite end of the site, go around the last obstacle and return back, turning at each obstacle. At the starting line, students pass the ball to the next player from hand to hand. 
The player himself picks up the ball, dribbles it from either side of the court in the opposite direction along the touchline and passes the ball to the next player in the column. The second player, who starts the drill after receiving the pass, dribbles to the coach and passes it to the player designated by the coach. If the coach wants the ball to be passed to a player in the free throw area, he raises his arm above his head. The coach must indicate the player receiving the ball only after the dribbler has passed him so that he does not see who the coach is pointing at. Often players try to anticipate the coach's signal and pass to the wrong player. The players love this exercise. 
The first and third players in the columns are in possession of the balls. Obstacles are set for each column on the site. 
While advancing on the court, one player dribbles the ball with his right hand, stops, turns on his left foot and passes the ball to a partner from hand to hand. The second player dribbles with his left hand, stops, turns on his right foot and passes the ball from hand to hand to a partner. 
At the whistle, the dribbler stops, continuing to dribble in place and covering the ball, then transfers the ball to the other hand and dribbles it until the next whistle. The coach must blow the whistle 3-4 times during the dribble from one end of the court to the other, stopping players at the near free-throw line, in the middle of the court, at the far free-throw line and at the far end line. At each stop, the dribbler transfers the ball to the other hand and changes direction. On the far front line, the players change roles. 
The main thing is still the technical aspects of dribbling and passing it. At the same time, you can’t just take a projectile and immediately play like LeBron James. It takes years of hard work to grow a real basketball player out of a child. 
In the process of dribbling, it is necessary that the projectile constantly bounces off the floor, and the athlete can touch it with his fingertips or with an open palm. 
This can be done outside the basketball court and not even during training, but in any free minute. 
The palm should be opened as much as possible, fingers spread out so that the grip area is maximum, but at the same time work only with the phalanges. 
The reception is especially effective if several representatives of the opposing side have gathered around you. 
For example, in the case when they are in a better shooting position or if the space between you and the basket is occupied by several opponents. 
