Basketball
15 basketball dribbling drills to improve your handles
Dribbling is imperative, whether you’re a point guard dribbling through a full-court press or a centre catching it in the post.
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How do players like Arike Ogunbowale improve their ball-handling skills? With a regimen of drills designed to build stronger and more nimble hands. Whether you're training for the playground or the Red Bull Half Court World Final, we've got a drill here that will help you take your dribble to the next level.
Red Bull Half Court is basketball – but not as you know it! Championing the world’s best streetballers, the Red Bull Half Court 3on3 tournament unleashes 8,000+ participants from all around the world. The winning teams from the national finals will convene in Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York for the Red Bull Half Court World Final on October 16-21.
Arike Ogunbowale holds court
© Sean Berry / Red Bull Content Pool
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Beginner drills
Full court dribbling
To perform this drill, all you need are cones and a basketball. The cones should be set up in different spots on the court. Start with the ball and simply dribble to each cone, make a move at the cone and dribble to the next cone. There are a variety of moves you can perform when reaching the cone, including a crossover, between the legs or a behind-the-back dribble.
Figure 8
Performing the figure 8 drill is fairly simple. 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 back to your right hand. This drill helps you quickly crossover your defenders.
Pound dribble drill
To perform this drill, you choose which hand you want to dribble with and place the ball in that hand. Next, you’ll bend your knees in an athletic position and dribble the ball repeatedly with that hand. Your head and eyes should be upright looking straight ahead as you dribble. This drill helps players keep their heads up and dribble the ball hard.
Crossover
The crossover drill is another classic beginner dribbling drill. You’ll start with the same stance as the pound drill, but instead of dribbling with the same hand, you’ll alternate hands and crossover repeatedly. The crossover is one of the most basic dribbling moves, and this drill will help improve it.
Ball slaps
Ball slaps are another good simple drill. To perform ball slaps, you’ll simply pick up the ball in one hand and slap the ball into the other hand. Repeat this transfer from hand to hand for one minute. Ball slaps are a good warmup and build stronger hands.
Finger taps
Finger taps are very similar to ball slaps. The one difference is instead of slapping the ball back and forth; 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.
Ogunbowale on the mic
© Cooper Neill / Red Bull Content Pool
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Intermediate drills
Cone touch drill
To perform the cone touch drill, you’ll need about 10 cones. You’ll spread the cones out wherever you choose. Next, dribble the ball to a cone reach your hand down and touch the cone and head to a new cone. You must keep your head and eyes up during the entire drill. Cones can be placed laterally or diagonally. This drill will help you to dribble without looking at the ball.
Wall toss
To perform the wall toss, you’ll stand about 10 feet from the wall. You’ll start by dribbling between your legs, left to right, then right to left behind your back. Next, you’ll throw the ball against the wall, catch it, and repeat the drill. Performing this drill will help when it’s time to catch a pass and make a move in traffic.
U dribble drill
To perform this drill you’ll form a square with four cones. First you’ll dribble to the cone in front of you. Next you’ll dribble sideways to the next cone and backwards to the last cone. You’ll need to use the same hand for each cone. This drill will help you learn to move in different directions while dribbling.
Double ball dribbling suicides
You’ll need two basketballs to perform this drill. Start at the baseline with a ball in each hand. Start by dribbling both balls to the near free throw line and returning to the baseline. Then, dribble the balls to half court and return to the baseline. Next, dribble to the far free throw line and back to the baseline. Lastly, dribble baseline to baseline. This drill improves ball handling while changing directions at different speeds.
Chair drills
A chair can be used for a series of drills. Place the chair anywhere you want. Dribble towards the chair and crossover, or go behind the back as you advance past it. The chair serves as a defender, and this drill will help you improve your moves on defenders while moving at full speed.
Multiball practice will improve your dribbling
© Sean Berry / Red Bull Content Pool
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Advanced drills
One v one
To perform this drill you’ll need a partner. Your goal is to dribble from one side of the court to the other while your partner slides and defends you. This drill will help when a player faces backcourt pressure while trying to advance the ball.
One v one (one hand only)
You’ll need a partner for this one, too. The goal is to advance from one side of the court to the other dribbling with the same hand. The defender will slide and attempt to stay in front of you while you work to advance past them. This drill will help when a defender takes away one of your hands and forces you to use the other.
Three ball dribble one hand pass
To perform this drill, you’ll need three basketballs and a partner. Start by dribbling two basketballs. Pass the ball in your left hand to your partner, and dribble the one in your right to your left. Your partner will then throw you a ball, and you’ll dribble that with your right and continue to repeat. This drill helps improve your crossover, explosiveness and ability to switch hands mid-play.
Tight spaces ball handling drill
This drill is much like the one v one drill, but you won’t have the whole court to operate with. You’ll need six to eight cones. The cones will be placed in a straight line, three or four on each side, about two metres apart from one another to create a straight line. The goal is for you to dribble past the defender without going outside the cones. This drill will help you create space and also aid in dribbling through contact.
Ogunbowale lines up a shot
© Cooper Neill / Red Bull Content Pool
Dribbling a basketball is one of the best skills a player can possess. Whether you’re a point guard dribbling through a full-court press or a centre catching it in the post, dribbling is imperative.
Take it from Ogunbowale, guard for the Dallas Wings, who uses drills like these to warmup. She said, “Before games, I do a two-ball dribbling drill. That way, I know I’m good.”
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