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Are you a basketball player looking to improve your basketball Ball-handling drills? Basketball ball handling is an essential skill that every player must master to be successful on the court. Having good ball-handling skills will not only make you a better player, but it will also increase your confidence and help you become a more versatile player.
There are several drills that you can do to improve your ball-handling skills. These drills focus on improving your hand-eye coordination, ability to control the ball, and overall dribbling technique. This guide will review some of the best basketball ball-handling drills you can incorporate into your training routine.
WARM-UP
Before every basketball dribbling drill game, it is crucial to warm up to prevent injury and increase performance properly. Warming up gets the muscles and joints loosened and ready for physically demanding movements. A few critical warm-up exercises that can be done with a basketball ball include Ball Slaps and Finger Tips.
These exercises help with left-hand-eye coordination while properly preparing the weak hands for ball handling. Additionally, stretching out the wrists and using Wraps can help prevent strain, discomfort, or comfort zone. Lastly, incorporating a Figure 8 stationary dribbling drill can increase agility and coordination while increasing the heart rate. By warming up properly, basketball players can ensure they are ready to perform at their best game time.
BALL HANDLING DRILLS
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Beginner Drills
1. Pound Dribble (1 Ball)
This drill is excellent for improving dribbling and ball control. It starts with a player standing in one spot with the ball at their feet. The goal is to alternate dribbling between both hands while bouncing the ball as hard as possible up and down off the floor for 30 seconds. This drill helps develop better hand-eye coordination and strengthens wrists.
2. Two Ball Figure 8 (2 Balls)
This drill is perfect for players to improve their ball handling and dribbling speed. It starts with a player holding two basketballs while standing in one spot. The goal is to move both balls around the body and complete a figure 8 pattern for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve agility and coordination while increasing the player’s control over their basketballs.
3. Around The World (1 Ball)
This drill is excellent for shooting and starts with dribbling accuracy. It begins with a player standing in one spot with the ball at their feet. The goal is to dribble the ball around their body in a figure 8 pattern as quickly and accurately as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps develop better coordination and control over the basketball.
4. Bounce Pass (2 Balls)
This drill is perfect for players looking to improve their passing accuracy. It starts with a player holding two basketballs while standing in one spot. The goal is to alternate bouncing the balls in front of the body and passing them off accurately to a partner for 30 seconds. This drill helps develop better accuracy and response time when passing the ball.
5. Single Leg Dribbling (1 Ball)
This drill is excellent for improving dribbling while moving. It starts with a player standing on one leg with the ball at their feet. The goal is to move around while dribbling the ball with only one leg for 30 seconds. This drill helps develop better coordination and control over the basketball while adding a challenge of balance and agility.
6. Full Court Dribbling (1 Ball)
This drill is perfect for players looking to improve their dribbling speed. It starts with a player standing at one end of the court, with the ball at their feet. The goal is to dribble up and down the entire court as quickly as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve the basketball coach’s speed and control while increasing the players’ overall conditioning.
7. Crossover Dribble (1 Ball)
This drill improves dribbling speed and agility. It starts with a player standing in one spot with the ball at their feet. The goal is to dribble in a figure 8 pattern as quickly and accurately as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve coordination and control over the basketball while increasing the players’ overall agility.
8.Finger taps(1 Ball) _
This drill is perfect for players improving their dribbling speed and control. It starts with a player standing in one spot with the ball at their feet. The goal is to tap the top of the ball with alternating fingers quickly and accurately for 30 seconds. This drill helps develop better control over the basketball and increases the players’ response time. These drills can help basketball players improve their overall game and take their skills to the next level. The drills you have learned will take time and practice to perfect.
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Intermediate Drills
9. Cone Touch Drill
This drill is excellent for improving dribbling speed and agility. It starts with a player standing in one spot with the ball at their feet. The goal is to weave around 3-5 cones as quickly and accurately as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps develop better control over the basketball and increases the players’ response time.
10. Wall Toss
This drill is perfect for players to improve their passing accuracy and speed. It starts with a player standing 2-3 feet away from a wall, with the ball in their hands. The goal is to throw the ball against a wall and catch it as quickly as possible for 30 seconds.
11. U Dribble Drill
This drill is excellent for improving dribbling speed and agility. It starts with a player standing in the center of a “U” shape created by two cones, with the ball at their feet. The goal is to dribble in and out of each side of the “U” as quickly and accurately as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve coordination and control over the basketball while increasing the players’ overall agility.
12. Double Ball Dribbling Suicides
This drill is perfect for players improving their dribbling speed and control. It starts with two basketballs in one spot and the player at the other end of the court. The goal is to dribble both balls up and down the court, doing two suicides (running back and forth from the center and back to one end) as quickly as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps develop better coordination and control over two basketballs at the same time while also increasing the players’ overall conditioning.
13. Chair Drills
This drill is excellent for players looking to improve their coordination and agility. It starts with a player sitting on a chair with the ball in their hands. The goal is to dribble the ball around the chair for 30 seconds while maintaining balance and control over the basketball simultaneously. This drill helps improve coordination and control over the basketball while increasing the players’ overall agility.
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Advanced Drills
14. 1vs1
This drill is perfect for players looking to improve their dribbling speed, control, and offensive skills. It starts with a player on one side of the court and another on the other. The goal is to dribble around the other player as quickly as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve control over the basketball and increases the players’ response time regarding offensive play.
15. 1vs1 (One Hand Only)
This drill is excellent for players looking to improve their dribbling speed and control with one hand. It starts with a player on one side of the court and another on the other. The goal is to dribble around the other player with one hand only as quickly as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve control over the basketball when dribbling with one hand while increasing the players’ overall agility.
16. 3Ball Dribble One-Hand Pass
This drill is perfect for players who improve their passing accuracy and control with one hand. It starts with a player holding three basketballs in one hand and standing in one spot. The goal is to pass the three basketballs around the court with one hand only as quickly and accurately as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve control over the basketball when one hand passes while increasing the players’ overall agility and coordination.
17. Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drill
This drill is excellent for players looking to improve their dribbling speed and control in tight spaces. It starts with a player standing in one spot with the ball in their hands. The goal is to dribble around a cone or object as quickly and accurately as possible for 30 seconds. This drill helps improve control over the basketball in tight spaces while increasing the players’ overall agility and coordination.
Benefits of Basketball Ball Handling Drills
Basketball ball handling is a crucial skill for any player on the court. It involves controlling and manipulating the basketball with speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Ball handling skills are essential for every position in basketball, from point guards to centers. By improving your ball handling abilities, you can boost your overall performance on the court and take your game to the next level.
Basketball ball-handling drills significantly enhance players’ skills in several ways. They improve dribbling techniques, allowing for better control and execution of moves. These drills also enhance hand-eye coordination, which is crucial for quick reactions and decision-making on the court. Regular practice boosts players’ confidence, leading to more aggressive play. Additionally, they promote overall ball control and develop ambidexterity, enabling players to use both hands effectively and making them less predictable to defenders.
FAQS
1. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for beginners?
Some good basketball ball-handling drills for beginners include chair drills, 1vs1 drills, and tight spaces ball-handling drills. These drills help improve control over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination.
2. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for advanced players?
Some good basketball ball handling drills for advanced players include 1vs1 (One Hand Only), 3 Ball Dribble One Hand Pass, and Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drill. These drills help improve control and accuracy over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination. These drills are more challenging than beginner drills, so they are great for players looking to take their game to the next level.
3. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for point guards?
Some good basketball ball-handling drills for point guards include 1vs1 (One Hand Only), 3 Ball Dribble, One Hand Pass, and Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drill. These drills help improve control and accuracy over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination. Point guards must react quickly and make good decisions on the court, so these drills are perfect for honing those skills.
4. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for shooting guards?
Some good basketball ball handling drills for shooting guards include 1vs1 (One Hand Only), 3 Ball Dribble One Hand Pass, and Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drill. These drills help improve control and accuracy over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination.
5. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for small forwards?
Some good basketball ball handling drills for small forwards include 1vs1 (One Hand Only), 3 Ball Dribble One Hand Pass, and Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drill. These drills help improve control and accuracy over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination. Small forwards need a combination of dribbling and shooting skills, so these drills are great for honing those skills.
6. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for power forwards?
Some good basketball ball-handling drills for power forwards include Chair Drills, 1vs1 (One-Hand Only), and Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drills. These drills help improve control and accuracy over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination. Power forwards need to handle the ball well while scoring from multiple angles, and these drills are perfect for honing those skills.
7. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for centers?
Some good basketball ball-handling drills for centers include chair drills, 1vs1 (One hand only), and tight spaces ball-handling drills.
These drills help improve control and accuracy over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination. Centers need to handle the ball well while scoring from multiple angles. These drills are perfect for honing those skills.
8. What are some excellent basketball ball-handling drills for all positions?
Some good basketball ball-handling drills for all positions include Chair Drills, 1vs1 (One Hand Only), 3 Ball Dribble Hand Pass, and Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drills. These drills help improve control and accuracy over the basketball while increasing agility and coordination. Regardless of position, all players must handle the ball well and make good decisions on the court. These drills are perfect for honing those skills.
Conclusion
Basketball ball-handling drills are a great way to develop better control, accuracy, agility, and coordination on the court. Different drills are tailored for specific positions, such as point guards or power forwards, but some drills can benefit all players. These drills will help you become a better player regardless of position.
Also, read this Article: What is an air ball in basketball?
