How To Dribble Better In Basketball - Improve your Ball Handling

James Foglio Sports Editor

Updated 24 mins ago on April 29, 2024

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All players in the sport of basketball must learn how to dribble. That includes point guards, shooting guards, power forwards, small forwards, and centers. This guide will help teach you how to better protect the basketball, produce scoring opportunities, and advance the ball towards the rim.

What Is Dribbling In Basketball?

For the most basic definition, dribbling in basketball means to bounce the ball on the court with either hand. It involves touching the ball with one hand between bounces.

Dribbling is the only way a player can move with the ball from one spot to the next. Dribbling enables players to move with the ball and ensures their team maintains possession.

Why Is Dribbling An Important Skill To Learn In Basketball?

Learning how to dribble is critical in order to abide by the rules of basketball. Without dribbling, moving with the ball would result in a travel violation, except when receiving the ball on the run (where two steps are allowed).

The best ball-handlers avoid turnovers, double dribbles, backcourt violations, etc. Although 7-foot centers are generally below average when it comes to protecting the ball, it’s one facet of the game where all players should aim to improve.

How To Improve Your Dribbling Skills?

The best way to improve your dribbling skills is by incorporating drills into your practice routine. Simply put, a player will struggle to improve their ball-handling skills without practice.

Among the most common set of dribbling drills include Maravich drills — named after the late ball-handling NBA Hall of Famer Pete Maravich — spider dribbling, figure eight dribbles, drop and catch, power dribbling, etc.

Dribbling Moves To Practice

There are dozens of moves that coaches and players can utilize to improve dribbling skills. Regardless of height, you can enhance your ball-handling abilities, even if you’re 7-foot-4. Coaches use a variety of complex techniques to teach players.

However, these five dribbling moves in particular will best help to develop anyone’s game: low dribbling, hand placement practice, running while dribbling, crossover dribbling, and power dribbling.

Low Dribbling

Low dribbling conditions players by using an intense dribbling action that coaches may refer to as “pounding.” Low dribbling allows you to maintain control of the ball with your dribbling hand. Practice low dribbling with each of your hands to improve your overall ball control. Since most athletes are right-handed, try practicing with your left from time to time.

Hand Placement Practice

A player’s hand placement can make all the difference during a possession. The most ideal spot on the basketball for the hand is at the top of the ball off to the side. Using either your palm or fingertips is not enough. Try to use both.

For proper hand placement, focus on spreading your fingers to make contact with the top and the side of the ball. The upper part of the palm has to work together with your fingertips on each bounce. Grip is important.

Be sure to stretch those fingers. Proper grip can prevent turnovers while also avoiding travel calls. To perform a crossover, pump fake, bounce pass, or between the legs dribble, hand placement plays a vital role.

Running While Dribbling

Next, running while dribbling is one advanced technique that all players have studied at some point. To become an elite ball-handler, the player must practice moving up and down the court without losing control of their dribble. This is especially important for guards and forwards.

If you’re able to force a steal during a game, you have to be able to run while dribbling during the fast break to score points for your team. That could result in a simple layup, dunk, jump shot, or finding an open teammate on the perimeter.

Crossover Dribbling

This type of stationary dribbling helps players learn how to pass the ball back and forth between their left hand and right hand. Players can use this move to trick defenders and protect the ball.

At first, start off passing the ball slow until you get the feel for it. After a while, focus on a faster speed. For crossover dribbling, keep the ball low and pound it into the court. Crossovers can lead to defenders fouling you, which is a good thing.

Power Dribbling

Power dribbling is imperative at the high school, college, and professional levels. This advanced drill teaches players how to cut sideways while pounding the ball into the court. A hard power dribble allows a player to avoid their defender and cut to another part of the court.

Prior to having a team run power-dribbling exercises, it would make more sense to first teach players about proper hand placement, running while dribbling, and protective dribbling. This advanced move can help taller players learn to control the ball better between bounces.

Ball-Handling Drills To Help You Dribble Better In Basketball

Six ball-handling drills that can improve your dribble in basketball include Maravich drills, figure eights, front V-dribble, scissors, retreat dribble with crossover, and crossover through legs. Coaches should use chairs, cones, or a point guard as a defender for the retreat dribble with crossover and crossover through legs drills.

Maravich Drills

Maravich drills use ball handling and dribbling drills to enhance control and hand quickness. They are named in honor of Pete Maravich, the NBA legend who was nicknamed Pistol Pete. Each technique used in Maravich drills tests a player’s ball-handling skills.

Check out the list of Maravich drills below:

Tipping: Tipping the ball quickly between the finger pads on the hands above your head with your eyes closed.
Variation – Squeeze the banana: Same as tipping as you only pinch the ball.
Ball slaps: The ball is slapped while alternating hands. This helps strengthen the fingertips.
Ball rolls: The ball starts on the right hand and then the hand rolls over the ball in a counterclockwise direction. This spins the ball onto the left hand. It will cause the ball to go back and forth between hands.
Pendulum: Swing the ball in the air from one side to the other like a pendulum. It’s like a crossover.
Front to back – Between the legs: Bounce the ball between both of your legs and catch it from behind. Bounce it back from back to front.
Learn the skill: This is when a player does any technique at his/her own pace. It’s a progression system.
Add a target: A coach may decide to add a target, such as 30 reps in 20 seconds. Try to set team records.
10 fingers: A teammate stands nearby holding up 10 fingers while the other player performs the drill.
In combination with a partner: This forces teammates to work together to solve a problem.

Figure Eight Dribble

While in a widen stance, dribble the ball in a figure eight around both of your legs. As the ball moves from one side to the other side, you will switch your hand. The one hand that is not in use should be between your legs. Be ready to make the switch at a steady pace. As your dribbling improves, increase the speed.

Front V-Dribble

Additionally, the front V-dribble involved in and out dribbles and can help you to outmaneuver a defender. Start by only using your right hand and dribble the ball side-to-side in front of your body. If performed correctly, this will make a V. Of course, your upper body should move with the rhythm and the ball should go side to side. Switch over to your left hand and repeat the drill.

Scissors

Scissors helps players practice dribbling between their legs while alternating foot position. To begin, put your right foot in front of your left, spaced about three feet apart. Cross the ball between your legs and jump to switch the position of your feet so your left is in front of your right. Pass the ball between your legs and continue to switch your feet position. Like all other drills, try to increase the speed.

Retreat Dribble With Crossover

While dribbling the ball, take five steps at a fast speed and then quickly step back three feet. This can help create space between you and the defender. It teaches players to protect the ball by “retreating” once you’ve advanced the ball a certain distance. Retreating can fool defenders into thinking you’re planning to attempt a 3-pointer.

Crossover Through Legs

Use a chair or player at the center of the court. Have the ball-handler move up the court. When the ball-handler is within a foot of the chair or defending player, the ball-handler performs a low crossover and moves to the right of the chair/defender. The player then attempts the same drill on the left.

Dribbling Tips To Improve Ball-Handling Skills

Drills are effective in helping basketball players improve their ball-handling skills. Though, some players are just slow learners. Even with big hands, the Maravich drills can be difficult to master. “Practice makes perfect” is a saying that all athletes have heard at least once. Here is a list of tips to help you become a better dribbler.

Improve Your Weak Hand

Have you ever tried writing with your left hand if you’re right-handed? It feels weird. If you can use either hand to write, throw, or perform physical tasks during the day, you are ambidextrous.

A lot of the greatest athletes in the world, such as retired figure skater Michelle Kwan and 20-time NBA All-Star LeBron James, are skilled at using both hands.

To improve your weak hand, overstimulate it with practice. Run drills with just your weak hand.

Practice Dribbling Low

It’s more challenging for a defender to steal the ball when you’re dribbling low. When you’re driving to the rim through two or more opponents in the paint, it’s just more logical to keep the ball lower to the floor.

The taller forwards and centers will struggle to swat the ball away because you’re faster and lower to the court. Mix it up with combo moves, pump fakes, behind-the-back passes, and other trick plays.

Tennis Ball Drill

The tennis ball drill is not so much a drill as it is a fun game to teach yourself to multitask. Instead of the two ball-handling drills that most players are accustomed to performing, try bouncing the basketball with your left hand while bouncing the tennis ball with your right.

It’s very difficult at a faster speed. That should go without saying. Coaches sometimes have players bounce the ball with their left hand while throwing the tennis ball in the air to themselves with the other hand.

Increase Speed

Furthermore, increasing your dribbling speed is not only a great way to burn more calories, but it also teaches players about ball control. The game of basketball is almost always played at a fast pace.

The only times it’s slow is either when your teammate/opponent is running out the clock late in the fourth quarter or when a player is at the free throw line.

You need speed if you want to score points, help teammates, and keep up on the defensive side.

Have A Go-To Move

Establishing your go-to move earlier on in your playing career can help. Play to your strengths. It could be a crossover, between-the-legs move, spin move, stop and go, or a behind-the-back dribble.

During a game, it’s important to focus on using your best moves against your opponents. Practice the dribbling moves you know you’re weak at executing during team practices. Talk to your coach and teammates about it.

James Foglio

Sports Editor

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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.

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