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How to practice dribbling basketball at home
27 Best Basketball Handling Drills at Home
Ready to develop a wicked handle like the WNBA’s Chennedy Carter? Improve anytime with the best basketball handling drills to do at home!
Here we’ll share simple drills from NBA pro trainers, Steph Curry’s trainer, the Lakers’ Phil Handy and more, that really work. From wide ground touches to pocket dribbles and double between resets, see new ways to make your game more dynamic and unpredictable.
Just do these once a day to improve quickly and become impossible to guard. Seriously, anyone can get better at dribbling — it just takes focus and commitment. For example, when Breanna Stewart was out with her achilles injury she focused on dribbling drills. And the difference could be seen in her 2020 play, especially in her stunning finals performance.
Plus, the great news is that all you need for these drills are a basketball and a tennis ball, and a little bit of open space like a driveway or basement. By the way, if you need a ball, check out our partner Wilson’s cool basketballs, including our favorite the Evolution. Let’s get started on your basketball homework!
Discover the best basketball handling drills to improve your game (especially for guards)
Check out 27 of the best ball dribbling drills to work through. These drills can be done in isolation, or you can do them in a row. And they get progressively more challenging.
Quick ball handling tips
Be sure to dribble the ball as hard as you can for each one. While you’ll find this is hard to do at first, it will force you to improve your handle faster. And once you can be in control while pounding the ball hard, dribbling in games will be a piece of cake because each move will be tight. Push yourself!
Work on both hands. Try each drill with each hand. Spend more time on your less dominant hand.
Keep your eyes up. In a game, you won’t have the luxury of looking at your toes. Because a defender will be all over you, and you need to read them so you can take advantage of what they’re giving you. It’s OK to start by looking if you have to, but after three times through, no more looks allowed.
Let’s get after it!
1. Double ball bounce from Steph Curry’s personal trainer Brandon Payne
This drill will improve your focus and hand-eye coordination. We’re starting with this one because it really demands you think about basketball and nothing else. It’ll get your concentration up right away.
Start by dribbling a basketball with one hand. In the other hand toss your tennis ball up in the air and catch it. It’s OK to do both simultaneously a few times. But then, try to mix and match the rhythms.
Watch your breathing patterns to ensure you’re not holding your breath anywhere or belaboring your breathing. Ensure your posture is strong, with your back straight and knees bent. And check out your tempo, pushing yourself to go quickly. Then, make sure that the basketball and tennis ball are operating independently so that the speed of the tennis ball doesn’t dictate the speed of the basketball.
Advanced basketball dribbling drill version:
For a more advanced variation, try a bounce catch toss catch where you bounce the tennis ball in front of you, and then dribble the ball under a leg. Then bounce the tennis ball, and dribble under the other leg. Be sure that the basketball ball goes right under your knee, not your quad.
2. Wide ground touches
This one’s going to help get you loose. Do 20 crosses from side to side in front of you. Do a wide crossover and then touch the ground in front of you, with the hand that just sent the ball. Once you get the hang of it, you can pick up your speed a little bit. Make sure you’re dropping your butt, and getting your hips low. Not just leaning over. So try to keep your chest up and open. Send the ball as wide as you can get it.
Advanced basketball dribbling drill version:
For a more advanced variation, dribble the ball between each leg, rather than in front of you. Remember to take a deep breath, and then push yourself as hard as you can.
3. Dribble bounce cross over
This one’s a fairly easy drill that will build on the last two you’ve finished. For this ball handling drill, just dribble the ball in your right hand one time. Then cross over. And dribble in your left. Then cross over. And so on. The key is to really push your speed until you’re almost out of control. Do this for a minute and see how many you can get.
4. Dribble dribble three ways
For this drill you go in front of you, between your legs, and behind your back. Being with two low pound dribbles, then a front cross over, and bring it back. Followed by two low pound dribbles and between the leg and back. Up next, do two low pound dribbles and go behind the back and send it back. Then send it back and do the same series of three moves on your other side.
Run these sets of six through a total of three times. Picking up the speed as you can. You’ll notice this one is a little mentally taxing with the counting, which is good because in a game you’re going to need to think and act quickly!
5. Dribble jabs are one of the best basketball handling drills
For this one you’ll do 30 reps in each direction. Keep your chest up the whole time. Plant your right foot on the ground and quickly jab with your left foot by moving your foot out away from your body and then back in. This can help push a defender off you, and maybe break their ankles.
6. Pocket dribbles
A pocket dribble is when you dribble and pull the ball back to your hip, manipulating it. It’s a great protective dribble if a defender is reaching. It also allows your feet to start acting, meaning your whole body can drop or you can pivot. So this one small ball manipulation is one of the best basketball techniques for creating angles and open looks.
For this you’ll do one minute of reps. Stand facing a bench or something about knee height. Pocket dribble and reach your other hand out to touch the bench. Bounce the ball out wide giving yourself plenty of space to create off it. Get into a rhythm of two bounces and then pull. Be sure you’re keeping your back straight and chest up.
7. In and out through the legs with Nike Elite Camp
Up next try doing an in-and-out move and then dribbling through the opposite leg. Then switch. An in-and-out is essentially a fake crossover, where you bring the ball in and then explode it out in the same direction is just came from. Keep this rotation going for 30 seconds.
Advanced basketball dribbling drill version:
For a more advanced version, try it with a plastic bag on the ball. Actually, really any of these drills can be made more challenging by putting a bag on the ball.
8. Body wraps
Cross over the ball in front of you. Then cross it behind you. Keep your knees bent, your hips and your shoulders moving with you, and your chest up. Do this for a minute. Change the speed up, going faster as you get the hang of it. For a more advanced version, go through your legs, crossover behind your back, do a crossover in front, and run it through again.
9. Cross x 3 between from Coach Phil Handy from the Lakers
For this one, get in your stance, do three rapid low cross over dribbles. Then dribble the ball between one leg. And repeat. Once you have it down pat standing still, start walking forward with it. Be sure not to swing your head and shoulders around to the side. Instead keep your body looking forward and your chest up. Wrap up by repeating the same drill for your other leg.
10.
Double between resets are one of the best basketball dribbling drills
Do this ball handling drill at home for thirty seconds. Just dribble the ball between one leg. Then jump to reset your body and dribble the ball between the other leg. Try to get in a rhythm, and keep it bouncy. Never resting flat on your feet. Switch sides, beginning with your left hand, for another thirty seconds.
11. Figure 8 side jab load to go with NBA trainer Jordan Lawley
Let’s introduce some more challenging footwork. For this drill, attack one direction, before switching to the other direction for 30 seconds. Do a figure eight, whipping the ball around your legs in the air. Then side jab. Up next, load to go and run in the other direction. Stop after two steps and bring the ball backwards through your leg. Dribble retreat backwards. Start the whole cycle all over again. Before switching to the other side.
More advanced basketball dribbling drills
12. Dribble leg ladder from Breanna Stewart’s workout with Pat The Roc
Keep working on your foot speed, and being light on your feet. Dribble the ball in your right hand, and move your left foot past a line on the ground and back out. Do that for a minute and see how many you can get. Challenge yourself by switching to the other side, dribbling with your left hand, and moving your right foot rapidly past the line and back.
13. Stationary between the legs
Keep your handles fresh with the ability to go between your legs no matter the situation. This one really gets your upper body moving. Just stand parallel with your legs spread, and dribble the ball from your right hand to your left, going between your legs. Then bring the ball around your back to the front of your body with your left hand, and send it back between your legs, over to your right hand. Just repeat that as many times as you can for a minute.
14.
Retreat dribble, cross over, attack dribble
Often times as players were so focused on pushing the ball forward down the court, that we forget we can go backwards. This drill will help prepare you for high-pressure in the back court. Begin by taking three retreat dribbles: basically run backwards three steps and keep the ball with you. Then do a wide cross over. And sprint forwards three steps.
This series of moves will make you very unpredictable. Focus on keeping your shoulder down and your helping arm out wide to shove off defenders’ stomachs.
15. Between the leg cross overs
Pick one leg to begin. Dribble under that leg, then cross the ball over in front of it. And repeat. You’re going for speed here. But try to find your rhythm because that will help! Stay with it and when you start to feel tired, push through. Keep your chest and eyes up to build the muscle memory. Then after 30 continuous reps, switch to your other leg.
For a more advanced version, don’t move on until you can get 50 in a row with no mistakes or ball drops. For a more advanced version, do it with one hand. So you’re both throwing and catching the ball with the same hand.
16. Between the legs dribble with behind the back
For this ball handling drill begin with the ball in your right hand. Swing the ball to the left side, catch it with your right hand. Move the ball behind your back. Pass it to your left hand. Swing the ball to the right side. Catch it with your left hand. Move the ball behind your back. Pass it to your right hand. And repeat the series. Try to get 50 of these in a row with no mess ups.
17. Double behinds are one of the best ball handling drills at home
To do this basketball dribbling drill you’re just going to dribble cross over behind your back, going from right to left. And then sending it back again from left to right. Do this stationary 30 times. Before taking it to the next level by do it walking. Just take a step and send it back and forth. Remember to try to stay shifty. That means you need to send the ball fast, and precisely.
Basketball dribbling drills for guards
18. Skip, fake a drive, cross over
This is one of the best ball handling drills to do if you model your game after Allen Iverson. Get better at his killer crossover. Begin with the ball in your right hand and skip forward with your left foot. Then fake a downhill drive by taking a step to your right and lowering your body, especially your shoulders. Finish by bringing the ball into your left hand with a quick, wide cross over. Try 50 of these in a row.
19.
The hesi
For this drill, just take two steps forward and step into the shot, as you would for a running jumper. Bring your elbows up, to bring up the ball in one hand. The drop your hips and ensure your eyes are looking up. And sink down low. Then spring one leg back, and push off and sprint forward for three dribbles. Finally, reset and the run the move through again. Do this 50 times in a row.
20. Foot stops
We’ll start with the cross foot stop. Just dribble the ball in your right hand, staying stationary. Then put your left foot out quickly. Before bringing it back in. Up next, do a same foot stop. Just move your right foot out quickly, and bring it back. Go as quickly as you can for 30 seconds. Up next, switch hands and try it with the left for 30 seconds.
21. Figure eights
Stand stationary with your body in a sitting-like position. Do finger bounces on the ball, keeping it low, below your knees. Move the ball in and out around your legs in a figure eight (or infinity sign) pattern. Start with your right hand, bringing the ball around your right leg. Then pick it up with your left hand once you’re under the middle part of your body. And use your left hand to guide it around your left leg. Keep at it until you hit 30 eights.
22.
Between the legs, shift cross
Here you’re going from stationary to a quick shift. Start with the ball in your right hand. Just dribble the ball between your left leg to your left hand. And then cross the ball over back to your right hand. Cross the ball back over to your left hand. And shift your left leg outwards. Then send the ball back to your right hand, and start the cycle all over again. Do that 10 times through. Then go the other way, beginning with the ball in your left hand.
23. Shifty pull back
This great ball handling drill will make you a menace on the court! Start in a sitting type stance, with your feet a little wider than your shoulders. Step out and forward with your left leg in a wide stance. Try to get your right ankle almost to the floor. Then send the ball through your left leg. Then cross over the ball back in front of your body into your right hand, and pull your left leg back in. Just toe tap your left foot. Stay light on it, so you can easily pop your left leg out for the next rep. Do 30 of these and then switch to the other side for 30.
24. One handed side to side
Take a little breather with this drill. Sit low and keep your chest up. Put the ball in one hand, and move it side to side in front of you. Try not to look down. Do 30 of these, and then switch to your other hand. Then do the same thing but on your side, from front to back. Begin with your right hand. Do 30. And then do 30 with your left.
25. The zig zag dribble is one of the best basketball handling drills
Get moving again with the zig zag dribble. Take a couple dribbles in one direction. Go between the legs. And keep dribbling in the new direction you’re facing. Two bounces, and between the legs again. This helps you with a quick change of direction in a small, tight space.
26.
Behind the back wrap
This is just a way to quickly get the ball away from a defender who is reaching. Take the ball in your right hand, and wrap it around the lower part of your back, releasing the ball. Make sure you’re pushing the ball all the way to the other side of your body, so that way you can beginning dribbling it with your left hand. Then take your left hand, wrap it around your back, and send the ball back to the right. Do 30 on each side.
27. The dribble spin pump fake by Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is notorious for this move. Throw the ball out for yourself. Catch it and plant your left foot. Take one dribble with your right hand and spin hard to your right, basically 360 degrees. Fake a shot by bringing the ball over your head. Then pivot back the other way and fake the shot again. Then start the drill from the beginning again. Do 30 reps.
Now you’re ready to kill them on the court. Remember to use your finger tips to control the ball, not the palm of your hand. And don’t get discouraged! Basketball is a game of angles, the more you work on yours by executing each of these drills with precision and speed, the better you’ll get.
Get a basketball ball handling drills PDF
Here are a few pages of basketball ball handling drills you can easily print off.
Stationary ball handling routine: Nearly 30 drills from body circles to cross overs.
50 stationary basketball drills: Check out a complete list of exercises from double pounds at ankle height to one high and one low.
Everything you need to know about the best basketball handling drills
How can I improve my handling in basketball?
To improve your handling in basketball practice dribbling every day.
How long should you practice dribble drills?
You should practice dribble drills every day for 15 minutes. That’s enough time to get loose, and also learn something new. Make a routine of it by always beginning your basketball work outs this way.
What are the 5 basic skills in basketball?
The 5 basic skills in basketball are dribbling, shooting, passing, rebounding, and defense.
Do the best basketball handling drills in your home
Take your game to the next level by trying these ball handling drills in your home today. See how many you can get through. Then, the next day, try to get through at least one more. Up next, check out the greatest WNBA dunks of all time.
Plus, get equipped to improve your game with our partner Wilson’s cool basketballs. There are WNBA replica balls by WNBA team, and, of course, our favorite the Evo NXT Game Basketball.
If you enjoyed this, would you be willing to send a $5 tip to our Venmo tip jar because it helps us bring you the latest WNBA analysis? @megsterr.
21 BEST Basketball Dribbling Drills to Improve ALL Facets of Your Handles! (For Home or Gym)
Today’s game rewards players who can dribble at an elite level. Your goal is to have the dribbling skills needed to thrive on the court.
So what do you do? Where do you begin?
At the youth, middle school, and high school levels, most coaches value players who can reliably handle the ball against pressure. Players who can dribble will always have a significant advantage on the court.
How do you get these dribbling skills?
Start by grabbing a basketball and finding a hard surface.
You probably won’t be allowed to dribble on your kitchen tile.
But even if you do not have access to a gym, you can always find a sidewalk or an empty parking lot to practice dribbling.
As the old adage said: if there is a will, there is a way.
Assuming you have the will, these 21 drills will make you a great dribbler in no time!
There are four crucial aspects to becoming a great dribbler:
Ball Height & Speed Variation
Directional Footwork
Body Height Variation
Game-Like Comprehensive
Start your dribbling routine with one of the first three components. Once the first three components are mastered, finish with the fourth component.
Be patient as your progress. Always push yourself in every drill to get better.
Here are each of the dribble phases and their corresponding drills.
NBA guards such as Kemba Walker and John Wall do an excellent job of changing speeds and dribble height levels to get to their spots on the court.
Going from a high dribble to a low dribble keeps your man off balance.
Start by practicing dribbling the ball at four heights:
Shoulder level
Waist level
Knee level
Sock level
Practicing dribbling at a higher level when you are about to go into your attacking move.
As you go downhill, you will need to keep your dribble low in order to prevent defenders from deflecting the ball.
The first drill simply trains your ability to change the ball height as you dribble the ball.
Drill #1 – Ball Height Changers With One Ball
Start the drill by dribbling at each of the four levels in a stationary place.
Here are the key teaching points for this drill.
Focus on finger pad control – always dribble with your fingertips, not your palms
Keep your eyes up – always have your eyes on the rim and know where your four teammates are located on the court
Stay in an athletic stance – always be in the habit of maintaining an athletic stance while you dribble
Keep your off hand out for protection – always be mindful of opposing defenders trying to steal the ball from you
Drill #2 – Ball Height Changers With Two Balls
It is the same concept as the first drill, except you will obviously not have an off hand.
For two-ball dribbling, it is crucial to stay in an athletic stance.
You must put an equal amount of weight on each side in order to successfully dribble with two balls at once.
Once your balance is correct, work on dribbling both balls at the same height level.
Also work on ball exchanges at the sock level and any of the other heights.
Drill #3 – Sitting Dribbles
This drill will allow you to focus on height variation and transferring the ball’s momentum.
Key teaching points include:
Use your core – you will often find yourself in a position similar to doing sit-ups and crunches
Keep your finger pads on top of the ball – still dribble with your fingertips, not your palms
Pound the ball for building momentum – it is much harder to dribble at a higher level while sitting down than standing up
Be creative while doing this drill. Dribble over your legs going from left to right – and vice versa!
Drill #4 – Skip Dribbles
Skip dribbles help you change height levels as you dribble.
Key teaching points include:
Explode up as you jump forward – you want to simulate these dribbles as if you are quickly going full speed from a near standstill
Keep your hand on top of the ball – as you will dribble the ball higher in this drill, you want to get into this habit because the officials will call a carrying violation if you are not careful
Pound the ball each time you land on the ground – the harder you pound the ball, the more control you will develop on each dribble
If you are practicing on a basketball court, perform these skip dribbles from the baseline to half court with your right hand. Switch hands on the way back.
If you are practicing on the street, approximate the same distance while doing this drill.
Drill #5 – Standing High Dribble Series
Be creative while doing this drill.
Work on combining four dribbling moves between the crossover, through the legs, behind the back, and V dribbles.
Start with a higher dribbling height to become more comfortable with each combination practiced.
Then as you develop a good rhythm, you can work on a lower height as well.
Drill #6 – Dribble Sprints With Popcorns at 2-3 Spots
Start by dribbling full speed from the baseline to the free-throw line.
Stop at the free-throw line and do popcorn dribbles. Popcorn dribbles are short, rapid dribbles that are stationary.
Go to the half-court line and do more popcorn dribbles.
Then go back to the free-throw line and do more popcorn dribbles.
Once you reach the baseline, do more popcorn dribbles and stop.
The key teaching points include:
Stop in an athletic stance for balance – it is always important to be the habit of dribbling in an athletic stance
Use the off hand for protection when popcorn dribbling – you will always use the lower dribbles whenever you are navigating traffic on defense
Quickly push the ball out in front for dribble sprints – pushing the ball out ahead will allow you to cover more ground
Keep your eyes up – again, always keep your eyes on the rim
Drill #7 – Wall Touch Series (crossover, through the legs, and behind the back)
Touch the wall after each dribble.
There are three progressions as you do this drill.
Progression #1: Crossover
Progression #2: Through the Legs
Progression #3: Behind the Back
Work on moving the ball around each leg. Go as fast as you can to improve your hand-eye coordination.
Exchange the ball from hand to hand, feeling the ball with your finger pads.
Keep the ball close and tight to your body.
Drill #9 – V Dribbles (5 Progressions)
Experiment with different speeds. Start slow and speed up on each rep.
Without further ado, here are the five progressions for this drill.
Progression #1: Simple V Dribble
Progression #2: V Dribble – Through the Legs
Progression #3: Dribble – Behind the Back
Progression #4: V Dribble – Through the Legs with a Leg Circle
Note: after completing the through the legs move, bring the ball back in front of you with a circle move.
Progression #5: V Dribble – Double Through the Legs
Drill #10 – Through the Legs
Drill #11 – Crossover
Drill #12 – Behind the Back
Start off in an athletic stance.
If you are right-handed, angle your body slightly to the right along with your right foot out in front. The opposite applies if you are left-handed.
Key teaching points include:
Feel the ball with your fingertips as you dribble
Keep your eyes up
Engage your core when increasing the speed
Prevent moving your body from side to side too much to maintain balance
Many players struggle with the key footwork needed to execute key dribbling moves on the court.
NBA point guards such as Chris Paul have the footwork to execute any move at any time and at any spot on the court.
Drill #13 – Side to Side (1-2 Laterals)
Do a continuous crossover into 1-2 footwork.
As you do the drill, change between speeds and heights to practice certain in-game scenarios.
Drill #14 – Change of Direction (Quick Exchange)
Work on two dribbles followed by a through the legs move.
Focus on exchanging and preparing for the next direction.
Your goal should be comfortably change directions even if you are facing pressure.
Drill #15 – Swivels or Turns (Pivots)
Work on half spins or backward/forward pivots while dribbling.
Do 6 reps with each hand.
This is a good drill to practice immediately before taking a turnaround jumper or if you are near the basket.
Drill #16 – Stop Momentum and Jab Dribbles
Work on two dribbles, alternating with a jab dribble.
Focus on attacking and stopping momentum with a jab dribble.
This is an important skill to master when facing pressure defense.
The jab step creates temporary separation between you and your defender so you can setup your next move.
Drill #17 – Slowing Momentum (Stutter Feet)
Work on bursts of stutters up the court or in a straight line.
This drill mainly applies to when you are attacking the basket in transition.
Also practice the hesitation move and the pull-up jumper in conjunction with this drill.
Drill #18 – Retreat Dribble
After retreating to the starting point, alternate between the crossover, through the legs, behind the back, and the double move.
This is another key dribble to learn against pressure defenses.
Take two dribbles in each direction. Then complete each retreat dribble move with both hands.
Guards like Damian Lillard have mastered the art of changing body height to manipulate the defense.
Lillard always gets his shot off because his body height variation gives him a step ahead of his defender.
Drill #19 – Combo Moves (Stationary)
Do all reps with each hand.
Here are some combinations that you can do.
Double Crossover – always touch one of your hands on the floor to ensure that you stay low.
Double Through the Legs – do it with both hands but start with your primary hand.
Crossover Alternating – switch hand between each rep.
Behind the Back Alternating – switch hand between each rep and touch one of your hands on the floor.
Through the Legs – Behind the Back
Crossover – Through the Legs
Drill #20 – Combo Moves (On the Move)
Take 1-2 dribbles and then execute the move.
Always switch hands between each rep. After you finish with your primary hand, always do the same amount of reps with your weak hand.
Here are some combinations that you can do.
Crossover Alternating
Through the Legs Alternating
Behind the Back Alternating
Through the legs – Behind the Back
Crossover – Through the Legs
Players often struggle in the games because how they practice is not how they should play.
You practice like you play. You end up playing like you practice.
It is important to simulate game like situations in your drills.
You are now incorporating the drills you practiced previously into game like scenarios.
Here’s a free 30 Day Elite Handles Workout Program that shows you exactly when and how to do all these drills.
We also added a few bonus drills not shown here to take your dribbling to a whole new level.
If you have any questions, let us know!
Click the link to get the program!
How to improve dribbling at home?
6 tips that will help every basketball player
Sometimes you look at Irving's highlights, you want to practice dribbling, but they don't let you into the gym. It's winter outside and you can't knock the ball either. What to do at this moment and how to be, we analyze in this article.
Often players say dribbling but don't know what it means. Let's take a broader view and break down possession in general, because basketball isn't just about hitting on the spot and crossovers. Our main goal is to score more than the opponent, and for this we need to be able to move around the court from one point to another with the ball under pressure from the defender and bring the ball into a comfortable position for a shot or pass. It's all ball possession.
Can ball possession be improved at home? Yes, but the effectiveness depends on the level of your training. Work at home is very limited, so if you have no other choice - it is better to try to do at least something than just sit.
What to do? Hold 6 points:
1. If you have a couple of square meters and no neighbors below, or they are not disturbed by your hitting the ball, then you can fully train.
For example, you can work on these things:
All this and more, we are working on the LVL UP course in the online school. A couple of square meters and 15 minutes a day is enough to progress.
2. If you can't hit the ball, you can work on your hand speed and ball feel. Do various rotations around the head, legs and body. You can do the same in the lunge and other basketball positions. Try different combinations and stance changes.
3. In continuation to the second point, the ball is thrown with straight arms. Start simply with your arms outstretched in front of you, then try with up and down movements, and in the most difficult variation, add a chest rotation.
4. Visualization. Close your eyes and imagine yourself moving around the court with the ball. It is important to fully immerse yourself in the moment and live it, and not be an outside observer.
5. Visualization in life, or I don't know what else to call it. Start repeating the movements as if you were hitting a ball and making transfers. Take a video and see how it looks from the outside. It probably won't look like cool dribbling. Try to fix it.
6. Work on the body. By developing your body, you will open up opportunities for skill development. Regular dribbling requires a mobile hip, strong glutes, a mobile chest, and a strong core to better deal with defensive pressure. You can work on this at home too.
Examples of the importance of the body in possession of the ball.
You can always work on yourself and become better. Everything depends on your desire. Hope this article helps you.
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exercises and 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.
Dribbling techniques
Basketball is a game based on three pillars – dribbling, passing, shooting. 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, remove the ball from there.
Prevent the enemy from taking 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 way 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 have excellent dribbling skills. 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.
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Basic Dribbling Basketball 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
Hold 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 full 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.
Avoiding Stops
A stop while dribbling must always end with an action, either 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.
Practice Goggles
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.