basketball ballhandling drills

Whip Drill

October 1, 2019 By Anna Fergison

Players learn to switch hands and whip the ball around the legs while dribbling.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Using your right hand only, whip the ball around your right leg, behind your back and through your legs from back to front.
As the ball passes through your legs, it should bounce off the ground and come back to your right hand.
Repeat the same motion for 15 seconds.
Switch hands and whip the ball around your left leg using your left hand for 15 seconds.

Keep your feet on the ground as you bounce the ball between your legs.
Make it harder: Keep the head up at all times. Look at the rim or a spot on the wall.
Make it easier: Stop between each rep to collect yourself, then start again.

September 26, 2019 By Anna Fergison

Players learn to perform a proper pump fake on a defender

Don’t just step forward after the fake – imagine a defender jumping on the pump fake and step around him as you would in a game situation.
Keep the plant foot down!Â Any dragging or slight movement will result in a travel call.

August 27, 2019 By Anna Fergison

This is a great ballhandling drill that focuses on making sure your players are releasing the ball and not loting it upwards to get more time.

Start holding the ball, with your left hand in front and your right arm behind your leg.
Release the ball and switch hand positions, catching the ball before it hits the ground.
Continue for 30 seconds, going as quickly back and forth as possible.

August 20, 2019 By Anna Fergison

This is a great dribbling and passing drill that works on the exchange and communicating between exchanges.

Line up 3 to 5 feet from your partner.Â Each of you has two basketballs.
Start out by rhythm dribbling all four balls in unison.
When you’re ready, say “switch”.
Partner A Will bounce pass the ball in his left hand to Partner B’s right hand.Â Partner B will bounce pass the ball in his right hand to Partner A’s right hand.
Continue dribbling the second ball during the exchange.
When you’re ready, say “switch!” and complete another exchange.
Repeat for 30 seconds.

Communicate with your partner to make sure the balls don’t collide on the exchange.
You can also do the exchange after a set number of dribbles (instead of the verbal command).
Make it easier: Have players set the balls on the court and roll them to each other on a count of 3.
Make it harder: Allow only one rhythm dribble between each exchange.

July 25, 2019 By Anna Fergison

This drill will help with your hand-eye coordination.

Start with the ball in front of you, holding it with two hands.

Drop the ball and quickly switch the position of your hands, bringing both hands behind your back.

After letting the ball bounce once, catch the ball between your legs, with both hands behind your back.

Drop the ball again, and quickly switch the position of your hands, bringing both hands in front of your body.

Repeat.

Make sure to stay low, and keep your feet spread wide.Â Use your fingertips to grip the ball instead of your palms.
Make it easier: Start with the ball a bit higher, giving you more time to react before it hits the ground a second time.
Make it harder: Do the drill with your eyes closed, or looking at a target straight in front of you.