Do you want to be the quickest ball-handler on court? Then you might want to try 16 of simplest yet effective ball handling tips used and practiced by elite basketball players. Doing so will not only make you good in controlling the ball but also in creating plays and get openings for the winning shots. The ball handler, which is usually the point guard, must know how to manage the ball at high speeds because the entire team is dependent on his capability to score.
The 16 basketball tips are as follows:
Introductory Ball Handling Drill: Stand at one of the ends of the court with both hands holding a ball in each. Walk towards the opposite end of the court and bounce your right ball first, followed by the one on your left. The timing should be in the manner that as the right ball hits the floor, the left ball is released. As you get acquainted with the drill, pick up the pace. Eventually, you will be running with two balls while dribbling. If you can do this then you can be better with one ball at hand.
Around The World Drill: Stand with a ball in both hands. Start circling it around your head, waist, and knees. Bend and spread your knees, circle the ball around one leg to the other. This will help you get better feel of the ball while promoting hand coordination as well as speed.
The Scissors: With your left foot ahead of the right, bounce the ball between your legs starting from your right hand and pass it to the left hand. As it passes, shift the position of your feet. This time the right leg is ahead and the ball passing between the changed positions of your legs.
Catch-Catch-Catch: Hold the ball between your legs with both hands on it, right in front and left at the back. Quickly switch hands without letting the ball fall.
Crab Walk: Stand at one end of the court with your left leg forward and pass the ball under. Change steps going forward with the ball being passed under the ahead leg.
Figure 8: Spread your feet and circle the ball in a figure 8 around the legs with your head looking forward. Increase speed as you continue doing so. This drill will help you get a feel of the ball and increase movement speed.
Figure 8 Dribbling: Dribble with your fingers while you are bent at the waist going around your legs in a figure of 8. Increase speed as you continue.
Figure 8 Drop: Circle the ball from the outside of your left leg to the outside of your right. As it reaches the back between your legs, let it drop and reverse your hands and catch the ball before it bounces again.
Figure 8 Drop Reverse: Do the drill in tip #8 and when you bounce the ball, reverse your movement. Circle the ball outside your right leg and around your left leg starting at the back to the front.
Figure 8 Running In Place: Do the drill in tip #8 but this time run in place.
One On Two: Advance the ball against two supposed defenders to force the use of variety of maneuvers and being alert of defense at the same time.
Pass and Catch: Practice the body awareness drill. Bounce the ball with two hands into your spread legs going to the back. Then catch it with both hands and pass it back to the front with both hands again.
Sit-up While Dribbling: Do sit-ups while dribbling with your right hand around your feet, then switch hands as you lie down. Dribble with your left hand as you sit up again. Do this faster as you continue.
Squeeze The Banana: Squeeze your fingers and thumb together as you move the ball quickly from one hand to the other at eye level. Doing so will improve your finger and arm strength for better ball control.
Touch-Touch-Touch: ball between your legs; touch the ball with your right fingers then with your left. Do the same at your back. Continue touching as fast as possible.
Up The Ladder: From in front of your waist, pass the ball from one hand to the other with your finger tips. This will help develop your finger tip control in handling the ball properly.
These drills are actually difficult to master but with constant practice, you can definetly get it. In a matter of time, you will be a better ball-handler by doing so.