5 Dribbling Drills You Should be Doing!
As we all know, the ability to dribble the ball is an essential skill in becoming an effective basketball player. Based upon your position, it is my opinion that your ball handling workout emphasis should vary. For example, a big man who is an effective low post player, would not concentrate on the same type of drills as a playmaking point guard. Now, that is not to say that as a player, you should not work on improving your ball handling skills as much as possible. Just make sure that you are realistic in what areas of the floor you will be attacking from. As with all skill development moves, dribbling is a skill which can be increased with repetition. Now, keep in mind, repetition is great, but make sure that you are getting in the correct reps. Becoming ONE with the basketball is the ultimate goal.
The basketball should begin to feel as though it is an extension of your body. I constantly tell my athletes that you should be able to go into a completely dark room and execute ball handling without issue. Not only should you learn the feel of the ball, but the SOUND of the ball hitting the ground as well. Emphasis is normally always placed on feel, but with concentration and enough reps, you will start to know when the ball is going to return to your hands after hitting the floor, all based on sound. As with all drills, the feet are the key starting point. Make sure that your footwork is constantly worked on. It is ESSENTIAL to have good footwork, if you would like to continuously raise your skill level.
Here are 5 drills that will help you not only increase your ball handling ability, but will help you on your journey to becoming ONE with the basketball. Always remember to start with the most basic ball handling drills first. Would you start shooting 3 point shots as soon as you walk in gym? I assume that your answer was no. With that being said, it is very important to start with basic ball handling drills to not only get your muscles warmed up, but to slowly get the feel and rhythm of the ball bouncing off the floor.
#1 CORRECT POSTURE DRIBBLE
Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, chest up, eyes up, and butt down.
Begin dribbling the ball for 30 seconds. Make sure to pound the basketball while executing your dribbling.
After completing your 30 second dribbling, begin another 30 seconds, but with your feet active in one spot. Make sure that you stay on the balls of your feet while executing. Execute this with your left and right hands for 30 seconds each set.
#2 FIGURE 8 DRIBBLES
Assume a wide leg stance. Make sure that your butt is sitting down and your chest is up. While in this stance, start with dribbling left handed around your left leg in a counter-clockwise motion.
When completing the counter-clockwise motion, catch the ball back n the front of your body with ONLY the left hand. Execute this for 10 reps.
Once completed, proceed to go with your right hand and right leg in a clock-wise motion. Make sure that on the right side, as with the left, you are catching the ball in the front of your body with the same hand. Be sure to rotate your hips when turning in each direction, so that you may follow the ball into the motion.
Once completed on both sides, you can then execute a CONTINUOUS figure 8, no matter the side you begin on for 30 seconds.
#3 CROSSOVER and CROSSOVER FOLLOW
Now that you are deeper into your drills, you can now begin getting your footwork in sync with your ball handling.
To begin, start with the correct stance. When in the correct stance, you will execute a between the leg dribble right into a crossover. You can start with either left or right hand. Each set with each hand should be executed for 30 seconds.
Once completed, you will now begin to bring in the footwork aspect of the drill. Execute the same between the legs to crossover move, BUT with a follow. The FOLLOW can be described as following the ball in the direction you push. SO, if you are starting with your left hand into the between the legs dribble, make sure to use your feet to jump to the direction you are pushing the ball between your legs. In this case it is towards the right.
Now, after moving your feet to follow the ball to the right, go directly into your crossover, which will be going back towards your left. As with the between the legs follow, use your feet to move back left into the crossover.
This drill helps you to understand how to MOVE THE DEFENSE. Remember; stay light on your feet! Execute each side(right to left and left to right) for 30 seconds each side.
#4 TWO BALL SUCCESSION DRIBBLE
This is a drill which can definitely help you to learn rhythm when dribbling the basketball. Keep in mind, this drill is not easy and you should not get frustrated when trying to execute.
Start with 2 balls in the proper posture. Now, begin dribbling both balls at the same time and in the same rhythm. As always, make sure to practice pounding the basketball when dribbling.
Now that you have established this rhythm, begin dribbling one of the balls at a lower level and faster pace.
At the same time, take the opposite ball and begin dribbling it slower and at a higher level than where you started.
You will now have 2 balls dribbling at not only different levels, but different speeds as well. Repeat on each side for 30 seconds.
#5 GAUNTLET DRIBBLE
Now, some of you have probably witnessed Steph Curry execute this dribbling drill. I’m not sure if there is an actual name for this drill, but we at HOOP PRODIGY call it the GAUNTLET DRIBBLE. This drill not only works on your ball handling, but concentration and finishes as well. You will begin in the proper stance, while standing on the free throw line.
While facing the basket, you will then begin with a 2 dribble crossover. Go directly from the 2 dribble crossover into a 2 dribble between the legs move(both legs), then directly into a 2 dribble behind the back move.
You can begin with either right or left hand. This is because, if you are executing the drill correctly, you will be making layups on each side, one after another.
Now, don’t forget that with each move, there are no dribbles in between going to the next move. This is a continuous dribble drill. Once you complete the behind the back move, you will then push forward to the basket and finish with a layup.
You will be going in a numerical pattern upon completion of the first 2 dribble drill. It will be 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 until you get to 10 finishes. If you miss a continuous dribble, you must then start over.
If you are executing the drill correctly, you will be making layups on each side, one after another. If you really want to make it fun and challenging, you can execute the same drill, but with made jump shots, instead of lay ups.
GOOD LUCK!
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