There are many fundamental parts of basketball, but few are more important than proper dribbling. Being able to put the ball on the floor without turning it over is critical for all positions, and is needed both down on the block and outside the three line.
However, dribbling is not easy. That goes double for those who need to handle the ball in traffic or when driving down the lane like expert dribblers Cole Anthony or Arike Ogunbowale. Such expertise requires skill, dedication, and practice.
The following article expands on those aspects by breaking down dribbling exercises for players at all levels, how such exercises work, and why they are important.
Section 1: Beginner Drills
This section covers some of the best basketball dribbling drills for new players who want to get a handle on the basics of ball handling. It does so by focusing on basic techniques in drills like full court dribbling, figure 8, and the pound dribble drill.
1. Full Court Dribbling
The easiest way to improve dribbling is to take a set of cones and place them around a full court. Next, dribble up to each cone, make a move (such as a spin or crossover) and then dribble to the next one.
Mixing up the moves, combined with going the length of the court, creates a solid base and teaches how to make quick, decisive decisions.
The figure 8 is a simple drill that develops quickness and ball control. To do it, stand on the court with your feet apart and the ball in your dominant hand. From there, dribble through your legs to the left hand and then dribble the ball back to the right.
Doing that movement in quick succession, and while looking straight ahead, is one of the best ways to develop a lethal crossover. It teaches strong reaction skills too.
3. Pound Dribble Drill
This drill can be taxing, but goes a long way in terms of developing strength and control. Place the ball in one hand, bend down into an athletic position, and then dribble repeatedly with that hand. After a few reps, switch to the other hand.
This drill requires a few subtleties to do right. Always keep your eyes forward and head up when dribbling. Looking down simply distracts from the drill and creates a bad precedent for in-game situations.
4. Crossover
For the crossover, stand in the same athletic stance used in the pound dribble drill. Then, rather than dribbling hand in place, dribble a few times in one hand and then pass it over to the other hand.
Doing that back-and-forth is one of the most effective ways to develop dribbling fundamentals. As with other drills, keep the eyes up and head forward.
5. Ball Slaps
Another simple drill that focuses on fundamentals, the ball slap is a movement when the dribbler picks the ball up in one hand and then slaps it with the other. Do that for one minute and then transfer the ball to the other hand and slap it again.
This move helps build up hand strength and does a great job at developing a good grip. Such aspects are critical when it comes to holding onto the ball during a game.
6. Finger Taps
Finger taps work just like ball slaps in that they require taking the ball and moving it back-and-forth between hands. However, rather than slapping it, this drill requires the handler to tap it between the hands with the fingertips.
This drill does a great job at enhancing both finger strength and coordination. As a bonus, it can also be done by keeping your arms straight out or by holding them above your head.
Once a dribbler can handle the above exercises, it’s best to move onto more advanced options. This section covers trickier moves through steps like the cone touch drill, the wall toss, and the U Dribble Drill.
1. Cone Touch Drill
The cone touch drill is a great way to learn how to ball handle without looking down. To do it, take about 10 cones and spread them out anywhere around the court.
Next, dribble the ball to each cone and, without looking down, reach out and touch the cone before heading to the next. Hit every cone with your head up, and then turn around and go to all of them again.
2. Wall Toss
The wall toss is a tough drill that teaches how to handle the ball while catching a pass in-game. This is performed by standing 10 feet from a wall. There, dribble between your legs from left to right and right to left before tossing the ball at the wall.
Let the ball bounce back, catch it, and then return to the dribble motion. Repeating those steps does a great job at developing the ability to catch a pass and immediately make a move.
3. U Dribble Drill
The U Dribble Drill is a great option for ball handlers who want more directional control. For this drill, set up four cones in a square pattern. Next, dribble to the front cone, sideways to the next one, and then backwards to the last one.
Do that entire pattern with one hand, then switch hands and do it again. That will develop both hands at the same time.
4. Double Ball Dribbling Suicides
Double ball dribbling suicides are great for those who want to improve stamina and dribbling at the same time. This move requires taking two basketballs and going to the baseline. Next, dribble both balls at the same time to the free throw line and go back.
After that, dribble to the half court and back, then to the far free throw line and back, and finish by going baseline to baseline. It’s a good workout that also teaches how to bring the ball up the court with either hand.
5. Chair Drills
Chair drills are one of the most advanced intermediate drills because it adds an important element: a defender. To set this up, take a chair, place it anywhere on the court and dribble towards it with either hand.
Perform a basketball move (behind the back, crossover, spin) and use it to get past the chair. Doing this drill at full speed is a great way to simulate needing to get by someone in a game without slowing down.
Section 3: Advanced Drills
The following section breaks down the best practices for players who want to fully expand their dribbling skills. They include 1vs1, 1vs1 (one hand), 3 ball dribble one hand pass, and tight spaces ball handling.
1. 1vs1
This drill is incredibly useful, but does require a partner. For it, get another player and have them play defense. The goal is to dribble from one side of the court to the other without losing the ball or turning it over.
The better the defender, the more effective the drill will be. Doing multiple reps of this is one of the best ways to improve ball handling under pressure, and helps prepare for in-game scenarios.
2. 1vs1 (One Hand Only)
This version of the 1vs1 drill occurs in the same way, but rather than doing any move or switching hands, you can only use one hand for the entire length of the court. Having a defender against your weak hand is one of the best ways to make that hand better.
This drill is incredibly useful at mimicking in-game situations because a lot of the time defenders will take away the dominant hand or lean to the dominant side. Doing this drill prepares for that situation and limits turnovers.
2. 3 Dribble One Hand Pass
To get ready for this drill, it’s important to gather three basketballs and a partner. Dribble two basketballs, one in each hand. After a few dribbles, pass the left-hand ball to the partner, and pass the right ball to the left hand.
Your partner will then pass the other ball to your right hand, which you’ll dribble before passing the ball in your left hand, crossing over, and catching the next one. Keep doing that pattern to improve the ability to make moves and catch passes mid-play.
4. Tight Spaces Ball Handling Drill
A great way to use cones, set this drill up by setting up six or eight in a straight line roughly six feet apart. Have a defender set up at one side and then try to dribble past them like in 1vs1, but without ever going outside the cones.
This is one of the best ways to work on operating in tight spaces and learning how to dribble through contact. There is a lot of flexibility here too. You can make the cones as wide or as narrow as you like depending on experience and what you need from the exercise.
Conclusion
Ball handling is one of the toughest aspects of basketball. The above basketball dribbling drills aid in that aspect, proving different ways to put the ball on the floor without losing it while going up the court, moving between defenders, or driving down the lane.
While the exercises don’t need to be done in order, it’s always a good idea to start with a solid base and then build up. Going directly to more advanced exercises without a strong base doesn’t do much good. Rather, steadily add them into a weekly or set routine.
Also note that ball handling comes with time. It’s a long road to being able to dribble well against a pressing defender or a crowded lane. Take time to go over each drill, and don’t move on until you have a good grasp of it.
