Dribbling makes basketball unique and captivating to watch. Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, and even Nikola Jokic all have incredible ball handling ability. The best ball handlers have the freedom to go wherever they want on the floor with ease. The more comfortable players are with basketball, the less they have to think about dribbling and the more they can think about what's happening in the game. This is why a lot of the best decision makers are also the best ball handlers. Below are five ball handling drills that will push you out of your comfort zone to build the ball handling confidence you crave.
Drill 1: Turntable Tag
This drill gets its name from the way a DJ spins records on a turntable. All the players dribble in one direction, then suddenly have to change directions and go the opposite direction. Right when they’re feeling comfortable, the direction changes again, just like a DJ scratching the record on a turntable.
Drill set up:
- This drill is best with three players but you can scale to four or five players.
- All players will have a ball and will be surrounding the halfcourt jump circle.
- If playing with 4 or more players, have one player inside the circle, waiting to be subbed in.
Drill execution:
- Designate one player to be”it”.
- The player who is “it” will try and move outside of the circle to tag one of the other players. No players can touch inside the circle.
- Every player must change hands with the ball to change directions. (Moving right, dribbling with the right hand. Moving left, dribbling with the left hand.)
- Once the player who is “it” has tagged another player, that player becomes “it”.
- When playing with four players, if a player who is avoiding a tag runs into another player avoiding a tag because they are going too slow, the player they ran into becomes “it”. Encouraging all players to move and change direction quickly.
- When playing with five players, use the same four player rules but add the fifth player inside the circle waiting to join. They will come into the game as the player who is “it”, replacing the player who was tagged.
Drill focus areas:
- Quick reaction and change of direction with a live dribble.
- Maintaining vision of other players while keeping the dribble tight to the body.
- Chaotic environment where players can work on new ways of dribbling without the stress of scoring.
Drill 2: Changing Heights Warm Up
To go from a good to great ball handler, you must have the ability to change heights and directions quickly. This drill will push you out of your comfort zone so when you have to change heights in a game, you have seen it all. This drill requires an elevated surface but if you do not have one, dribble as high above your head as possible, really exaggerate the distance. This drill is all about being uncomfortable.
Drill set up:
- This drill can be used for an individual workout but you can also scale this up and incorporate an entire team.
- All players will have a ball and will need an elevated surface. (chair, bench, bleachers, etc)
- Beginner level players must stand a few feet from each other, advanced players can be clumped together in a tight space.
Drill execution:
- All players will start dribbling with their strong hand at a normal waist high level.
- On a coaches signal, change to the elevated position. This will be awkward for players at first. Encourage them that making mistakes is part of the game.
- After around thirty seconds of dribbling in the elevated position, signal all players to take one knee and dribble as low to the ground as possible.
- Repeat the drill at the three different heights (while switching hands) for around five minutes total.
- For more advanced players, incorporate cross overs and in and out dribbles at the various heights.
Drill focus areas:
- Maintain control of the ball while switching heights.
- Pound the dribble into the floor with force, even during the tight dribbles on one knee.
- Players should use more of the shoulders to produce power at the highest elevation and more of the fingertips at the lowest elevation.
- Encourage players to push themselves and make mistakes.
Drill 3: Handshake Cone Grabs
This competitive ball handling drill will make you go face to face and hand to hand with your opponent. To make sure the players start on time and compete with each other correctly, this hand shake start is the perfect way to get the competitive juices flowing in practice. Have some fun with this one but be warned, this drill heats up quickly.
Drill set up:
- Every player will have a ball and will partner up with a teammate.
- If there are an odd number of players, this game can be played in groups of three.
- The partners will face each other about five feet apart.
- Place a cone in the middle of the two partners facing each other.
Drill execution:
- Players will start with the ball in their right hands.
- While they are dribbling with their right hands, they are holding hands in a handshake position with their left hands.
- A coach or third player, who is not actively in the drill, will instruct the partners to perform a combo dribble move. (crossover, between the legs, behind the back, etc.)
- On the coach or third players signal, the players will release the hands in the handshake and perform the combo dribble sequence.
- Once finished with the dribble move, the players race to pick up the cone that is placed in the middle.
- The player who picks up the cone first, wins the round.
- If both players pick up the cone at the same time, the player who is grabbing the lower part of the cone is the winner.
- Play to a target score of wins. If playing with three people, the loser of the round sits out the following round. The player who was waiting to play, plays the winner of the previous round.
Drill focus areas:
- Quick reaction time from hearing coaches signal to performing the dribble sequence.
- Using the brain while remembering the dribble sequence the coach chooses. (The coach can change sequences as frequently as desired.)
- Utilization of the off hand while quickly grabbing the cone after completing the dribble sequence.
Drill 4: Mini Ball Hoops
We have all had those Nerf battles one time or another. This drill brings those games back to life on the hardwood, not in the house. Players have to use muscle memory and strategy to score a smaller sized ball of the coaches choice, all while dribbling a regulation sized basketball. Don’t be surprised when your best ball handlers struggle to do two things at once in this drill.
Drill set up:
- This drill can be played 2-on-2 all the way up to 6-on-6 or 7-on-7.
- All players will have a basketball and will maintain a dribble the entire game.
- The team will be divided into two even teams.
- Use a tennis ball or something similar as your “scoring ball". Any type of ball that can be caught with one hand will work.
Drill execution:
- Once teams are divided, all players will start dribbling their ball. They can not stop dribbling throughout the duration of the drill.
- The “scoring ball” is thrown onto the court and the game starts.
- The team's goal is to play basketball and score the scoring ball, all while maintaining their dribble with the basketballs.
- Normal basketball rules are all in play. (travel, double dribble, foul, etc.)
- Players are encouraged to pass the scoring ball amongst the team in order to find the best shot.
- If a player loses their basketball or stops dribbling while they have possession of the scoring ball, they must immediately place the scoring ball on the ground. The opposing team immediately gains possession and can try to advance and score.
- Play to a target score or set up a timer and play until the time runs out.
Drill focus areas:
- Relying on muscle memory to maintain possession and control of the basketball while performing other tasks.
- Remain active and moving, do not stand in place to control the dribble.
- Use both hands to pass and score the scoring ball.
Drill 5: Two Ball Sled Pushes
Ball handling lets players go where they want on the floor. The better ball handler you are, the more freedom you have to move around the court. When picturing an elite ball handler, most think of crossovers and combo moves. While those are important, strength and physicality while handling is just as important. This drill dives into the physicality piece and gets your team stronger and more balanced while dribbling against contact.
Drill set up:
- Every player will have a ball and will partner up with a teammate.
- All groups of two will line up along the baseline or sideline.
Drill execution:
- One player of each group will start with a live dribble.
- The other player of the group will hold their ball against the ball handler's chest, trying to push them backwards.
- The player who is dribbling is trying to push their partner, like a sled, to the other baseline or sideline.
- Depending on the skill level of the team, a coach can ask the dribblers to perform a series of dribble moves while pushing the sled.
- This drill can be used as a warm up to get the players activated, or as a conditioning drill at the end of practice while the team is fatigued.
Drill focus areas:
- Strength and balance as a ball handler while pushing the sled defender.
- Pushing through fatigue and maintaining control of the dribble.
- Learning to be comfortable and playing through contact.
The bottom line on the best basketball ball handling drills to improve your game
Ball handling is a huge part of basketball. Most coaches and players focus the majority of time on static and non decision making ball handling drills. With limited space/players, static drills can fill the void and can help teach mental toughness and perseverance. The drills in this article are focused on live defense and decision making. The drills above might not all look like a game, but underneath the surface are a ton of game-like repetitions. Over the course of a game the ball handler will have to pass, shoot, and make reads against live defense. Players should work on these skills in an environment where they are not afraid to make mistakes. This is huge for development.
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