If you’re like me, you’ve always dreamed of playing in the NBA. Have you envisioned yourself crossing someone, driving down the lane, and nailing a big 7-foot cross! If you’ve ever seen Kevin Johnson, Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd, John Stockton, Magic Johnson, Chris Paul, you’ll know they’re just some of the greatest ball handlers in the history of the game. However, if you want to get to that level, you will need to understand the importance of basketball dribbling drills.
This is probably the fundamental that is so often overlooked. People focus on shooting drills and defensive drills, but they ignore dribbling drills because they seem so basic. However, if you think about it, if you handle the ball well, you can create so many options on the offensive end. You can get past your defender by creating an open shot, penetrating the lane for a layup, and also break through the defense and get your teammates wide for an open look.
I’m going to give you 5 basics basketball dribbling drills that will improve your ball handling instantly.
1. Canister Kill:
Start by dribbling the ball at waist height for a few seconds and then “kill” the dribble by dribbling the ball as low as possible for a few seconds, then bring the ball back to waist height. Repeat this for a few minutes.
2. Under the legs, back and forth:
Start with your right leg extended, crouch slightly, and repeatedly dribble the ball under your leg from your left hand to your right. Try to gradually increase the speed with which you dribble the ball. Do this exercise for about 30 seconds, and then switch legs.
3. Random Dribble:
Begin by slightly hopping with one leg forward and the other back, dribble the ball between your legs, then switch legs. Do this repeatedly for around 1 minute. This will help you dribble between the legs.
4. Figure 8 with low boat:
This basketball dribbling drill Start with your legs apart, dribble the ball as low as possible, and begin dribbling the ball in a figure 8 between and around your legs. When you’ve done this for about 1 minute, do a low dribble around one leg with just one hand, then switch to the other leg with the opposite hand.
5. Front V Dribble:
Start by dribbling the ball to your side, then your next dribble will come in front of you as if you were going to cross, but instead of changing hands, bring your hand over the ball and then the next dribble will come back to the same side Repeat this for about 1 minute and then repeat this exercise with the opposite hand.