Dribbling
Learning to become a good ball-handler, and developing a feel for the ball is vitally important in becoming an excellent all-around player.
Hold The Ball Correctly:
The most difficult skills, including shooting, passing, catching, dribbling, and rebounding, involve holding the ball. Work on these skills every day. Here is how to practice holding the ball:
Hold the ball with your fingertips. The palms of your hands should not touch the ball. Make sure
your fingers are far apart. Hold the ball as much as possible at home while watching TV or listening
to the radio or music. It is said that the great Pete Maravich slept with his basketball and held it
during his sleep! While watching TV, you can hold the ball (with both hands) and spin it around in
your hands.
These Are The Drills:
Do each one about 30 to 60 seconds and then move to the next one. With all of these drills, try to keep your eyes forward, without looking at the ball.
Around Each Leg:
- Put right leg forward in a lunge position and dribble the ball around the leg clockwise.
- After 30 to 60 seconds, dribble the ball around the leg counterclockwise.
- Repeat the above with the left leg forward in a lunge position.
Figure 8's:
- Spread your legs out wide with the ball in front of you.
- Dribble the ball around through your legs in a figure-of-eight motion.
- Keep your eyes forward.
- After 30 seconds, reverse the direction.
Power Dribbles:
- Forcefully dribble the ball left-hand to righ-thand. Switch hands.
- Forcefully dribble left-handed front to back. Switch hands.
Dribbling on the Move:
Click the skill to watch a skill tutorial. For added difficulty, try using 2 balls.
