Dribbling Drills
















 
 
Figure 8 Dribble
Stand in the triple threat position (feet roughly shoulder width apart, one foot ahead of the other, knees bent). Using your right hand, dribble the ball around your right foot from front to back. Once the ball reaches between your legs, switch to your left hand and dribble the ball around your left foot. Each time the ball comes back to the center, switch hands and dribble around the other foot, keeping the ball just a few inches off the ground with the dribble.

As you get better, speed up the drill. Also, be sure to keep your head up while you dribble (don't look down at the ball). Do this drill for a full minute, resting 30 seconds, then repeat.


Scissor Dribble
Stand in the triple threat position and dribble the ball with your right hand, sending it between your legs and to the left side of your body. Move the ball to the front, and with your left hand, make a hard dribble through your legs and to the right (rear) side of your body. Continue this motion until you develop a good rythm. Speed the dribble up as you get better.

Remember to keep your head up so you can see the court. Don't look down at the ball as you dribble. Keep the ball on your fingertips at all times and really get used to making a good, strong dribble. Do this drill for a full minute, resting 30 seconds, then repeat.


Full Court Zig Zags
Stand on the baseline just under the right side of the backboard and dribble to the right sideline at a 45-degree angle with your right hand. Stay low, keep your head and eyes up so you can see the floor. When you get to the sideline, change direction with a cross-over dribble and dribble with your left hand at a 45-degree angle to the center of the court. Once your each the center of the court, switch directions again with a cross-over and dribble to the right sideline. Repeat this drill the full length of the court. Once you reach the other end of the floor, turn around and do the same drill back.

Repeat this drill for 5 full court lengths. Keep the ball on your fingertips. Stay low, and keep your head and eyes up so you can see the court at all times.


Full Court Speed Dribble
Standing on the baseline, dribble at full speed up the court. Stay under control but push the ball up the floor as quickly as possible while still maintaining complete control of the dribble. When you reach the opposite free throw line, come to a strong and on-balance two-foot jump stop. Repeat the drill 5 times, each time stopping at the opposite free throw line with a two-foot jump stop.


2-Ball Dribble Drills
Two ball drills are some of the best possible drills for improving your ball handling skills. Start by dribbling both balls from the baseline up to the free throw line, with both basketballs hitting the ground at the same time. Once you reach the free throw line, start a stagger dribble where each ball hits the ground separately. Use this stagger dribble to the half court line, then switch back to a simultaneous dribble to the free throw line, then a stagger dribble to the baseline. Do this for 2 full court lengths.

Next, do an up and back drill where you take 4 or 5 steps forward dribbling both balls, then take 2 or 3 steps back, continuing the full length of the court.


"If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat."  Herschel Walker