15 Ball Handling Workouts To Improve Your Handles In Basketball

James Foglio Sports Editor

Updated 2 hours ago on April 29, 2024

How do we rank results?

Disclosure

We independently review everything we recommend based on our strict editorial guidelines. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn More

Ball handling workouts are essential for developing your handles ahead of basketball games. Practicing these techniques and drills below is the most effective way for players to improve their ball control. Learning how to handle the ball will help you become a better player, whether you play guard or defend the paint as a center.

Why Ball Handling Is Important In Basketball?

Ball handling in basketball is important because it allows players to control the ball using advanced dribbling and accurate passing. Learning the proper way to control the basketball with both hands is a key fundamental in helping players to enhance other aspects of the game, such as shooting, rebounding, and even clock management.

Do Ball Handling Workouts Really Help During Games?

Ball handling workouts can help during games, if the practices are intense and thorough. High intensity is arguably the correct way to train, considering basketball is always played at a fast pace. Teammates might be tempted to go easy on you during a workout.

Don’t let them! When it comes to drills and team scrimmages, always think about making it harder, not easier on yourself. Of course, your opponents will bring their A-game against you during games.

How Improving Your Ball Handling Will Make You A Better Player

Three factors play a role in how improving your ball handling will make you a better basketball player: feel, control and pace. Remember to focus on your most effective moves.

All three factors can help you play to your strengths. They each serve as a stepping stone in helping you to outmaneuver defenders, find openings to pass or shoot, and avoid turning the ball over.

Feel

Developing a feel for the ball will require drills that are stationary and slow moving to test beginners. It will also measure your ambidexterity. The goal is to improve hand-eye coordination, throwing, cradling, hand quickness, catching and other important aspects of ball handling. Practice with dribbling two balls at a time.

Control

Having control of the ball is what proper ball handling is all about, needless to say. Coaches may have players practice dribbling down the court with two balls at a time and/or advance up the court in 3-4 dribbles with either hand.

Being able to stop on a dime and pivot in another direction is a plus. The ability to change one’s own speed while protecting the ball is a difficult skill that only NBA guards have seemed to master.

Pace

Coaches should try to change their players’ pace in their dribbling drills. Stephen Curry and Chris Paul are the experts at changing speeds and creating separation between themselves and their opponent(s).

Practice changing the pace from walking, jogging, running, and sprinting while dribbling the ball. You can change the pace from slow to fast, medium to full speed, and any other potential combo.

15 Ball Handling Workouts To Improve Your Handles

Corner Dribble (Left or Right) Bend your knees and dribble the basketball from front to back, on the left or right side of your body. Next, dribble the ball once in front of your body before returning to the front to back dribble. Dribble exclusively with either your left or right hand.
2 Ball Cone Circles Set up two cones side by side about 2 feet apart on a straight line. Dribble both basketballs around the outside of each cone. Keep eyes up while dribbling.
Spin Outs (Left or Right) Spin the ball, which simulates a pass, on the wing. Jump stop, catch the ball, front pivot, and shoot. Your left foot is the pivot foot and should stay in contact with the ground. For the right side, your right foot is your pivot foot.
2 Pounds Crossover For a 2 pounds Crossover move, dribble hard twice while performing the crossover. Start the ball on the outside of one knee and end on the outside of the other knee. Whip the ball from one hand to the other.
One Pound Crossover A pound is a dribble. Perform the first drill for 30 seconds and then rest for 5 seconds. The harder you dribble the basketball, the faster it comes back to you.
One Pound Behind Back The One Pound Behind Back technique is essentially the same move as the pound dribble except the ball handler dribbles the ball behind their back, using their own body to protect the ball from the defender.
Crossover

The crossover drill can be used by coaches for beginners. Alternate hands while dribbling from one hand to the other across the body. This move can trick defenders and keep the ball safe at the same time. Practice it for least 5 minutes.
Double Crossover The double crossover is an advanced move intended for an offensive player to confuse the defender to disrupt the opponent’s balance. It’s a crossover dribble towards one side of the body while immediately following it up with a second crossover towards the opposite side of the body.
2-on-1 Drill This drill requires two players and one defender. The offensive players start at one end of the court with the defender starting at half court. The offense then runs a 2-on-1 break, while the defender must try to stay between them and prevent an easy basket. This drill teaches defenders how to make split-second decisions.
Stationary Position Dribbling Start by standing in one spot with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the ball in front of you with both palms, then rapidly move it to back and forth from one palm to the other using just your wrists. This drill helps develop reflexes and strengthen hand-eye coordination.
Ball Slaps

Ball slaps are a basic drill for all position players. To perform a ball slap, pick up the ball in one hand and slap the ball into the other hand. Repeat this transfer from hand to hand for a few minutes. Ball slaps help improve grip strength and stronger hands.
Finger Taps

Finger taps are kind of like ball slaps. Instead of slapping the ball from one hand to the other, you’ll be tapping it back and forth on your fingertips. You can perform this drill with your arms straight out, or above your head. This drill serves as a good warmup and will also help your fingers get stronger.
1-on-1 Drill To perform the 1-on-1 drill, dribble from one side of the court to the other while your teammate slides and defends you. This drill will help a player overcome backcourt pressure while attempting to advance the ball.
Figure 8s Start with your feet spread apart and the ball in your right hand. Then dribble the ball through your legs to your left hand, and immediately dribble it back to your right hand. This drill can help guards and forwards to utilize crossovers against defenders.
2 Ball Cone Circles Set up two cones at either the half-court line or foul line spaced 2 1/2 feet apart. Dribble both basketballs around the inside of each cone. Try to look forward while performing this drill.

Ball Handling Workouts For Beginners

The 15 drills listed above offer a wide variety of dribbling techniques. However, a number of the aforementioned workouts are not for beginners. The last five are more ideal for younger ballers. The pound dribble (1 ball), 2 ball dribbling, ball slaps, and figure 8 dribbles are perfect.

Pound Dribble (1 Ball)

Dribble the ball as hard as you can with one hand, not allowing the ball to go higher than just above your knees. After about 2 minutes, rotate hands.

2 Ball Dribbling

Similar to the one hand pound except for you are now dribbling with both hands at one time. You can do 2 ball rhythm and 2 ball alternating for 30-45 second each.

Ball Slaps

Slap the ball as hard as you can with one hand as the other hand holds the ball. Rotate hand on every slap. This drill is meant to test your grip strength and eye coordination.

Figure 8 Dribble

Wrap the ball around legs going from front in between your legs first then wrapping behind one knee. Then, bring the ball back in front in between your other leg and behind the other knee. Continue that motion until your coach tells you to stop. If executed properly, it will look like a figure eight from an aerial view.

Ball Handling Workouts For Guards

Point guards and shooting guards are supposed to have exceptional ball handling skills to control the clock and set up plays for their team. Although taller forwards could still serve as viable rebounders despite lacking ball control, the same cannot be said for shorter guards.

Guards are expected to serve as floor generals for their teams. Five of the best ball handling workouts for point guards and shooting guards include 1v1 fast break attacks, 1v0 dribble move attacks, straight line air shots, and ladder drills.

1v1 Attack – Fast Break

This is an excellent drill that coaches can use for guards to attack the defense and finish in transition. As you can tell in this drill, you work on ball handling, acceleration, speed, agility, finishing, conditioning, and much more. IT is also a great way to build an aggressive mentality.

1v0 Dribble Move Attack

The 1v0 dribble move attack is an advanced drill that teaches you how to use your feet so you can beat your defender no matter what counter move your opponent uses against you.

Straight Line Air Shots

Spin the ball to yourself, catch, get a pretend jump shot up, and try to land it directly on your center line. Repeat the movement using the full length of the court. This drill will help players improve their shooting rhythm and establish more consistency. It teaches players to time their shots better as well.

Ladder Drills

Use cones or chairs along a straight line and perform dribble moves, including crossovers, spin moves, and between-the-legs drills while moving through the cones. This drill helps improve wrist strength, coordination, speed, flexibility, and balance.

Ball Handling Workouts For Forwards

Ball handling is crucial for power forwards and small forwards as these players serve as the wing men for guards. Forwards are required to make quick decisions. They have to be able to dribble, rebound, pass, and shoot with precision under pressure. Footwork is also important for power forwards, so feel free to practice pivoting.

Spin Outs Wing Shooting – Inside Pivot, Sweep Counter, 2nd Dribble Change (Left Side)

On the left side of the court, Spin the ball to the left wing, catch the ball, inside pivot, sweep counter, 1 dribble and shoot. This will require a bit of practice. Your coach can walk you through it.

– Keep your knees bent as you pivot.
– Make sure you quickly get your feet in shooting position. Your feet should be in the same balance position each time you shoot. Repetitions are a must to establish proper rhythm.

Spin Outs from Baseline (Right Side) – Front Pivot, Shot

On the right side of the court, spin the ball from the right baseline, catch the ball, front pivot, and shoot.

– Keep your knees bent as you pivot.
– Make sure you quickly get your feet in shooting position. They should be in the same balance position each time you shoot. Repeat the movement until you feel you’ve mastered it.

Post Feed, Fadeaway Drill

Have a partner pass you the ball from the wing while you’re posting up. Instead of a normal post move, lean into your defender, gain enough space, and perform a fadeaway for the shot.

Repeat the movement until you can make the shot uncontested, then have a partner defend you for extra practice. For gametime preparation, players need to feel challenged and pressured.

James Foglio

Sports Editor

Follow on

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

All posts by James Foglio