Basketball Dribbing Drills

Whether you’re a point guard dribbling through a full court press or a center receiving the ball in the post, dribbling is one of the most important skills to possess for any basketball player. Having tight handles allows you to change direction at any speed and keeps defenders guessing about what your next move will be. With a little practice, you can develop the footwork needed to execute key dribbling moves in games and drills.

The zig-zag drill is a great drill to work on changing directions while maintaining your ball handling. To perform the drill, set up a series of cones in a 10-15 yard square. Start by dribbling to the first cone and then moving in a different direction to the next one. Continue this process until you’ve touched all the cones. This drill will help you to improve your ability to change direction in game-like situations and force you to stay low while dribbling.

A common dribbling move in basketball is the front V-dribble, also known as a “control dribble”. To perform this move, start with your dominant hand and dribble the ball side-to-side in front of you in a V shape. Then, switch to your non-dominant hand and continue dribbling. Keeping your head up and visualizing the whole court is essential to this dribbling drill. Make sure to only use your fingertips, not the palm of your hand and only bounce the ball waist height or lower.