Dribbling a Basketball

In order to be able to walk or run with a basketball you have to dribble it. While dribbling you are only able to touch the basketball with one hand at a time. If you dribble it with both hands simultaneously it is called a double dribble, which results in a turnover and the other team getting possession of the ball. Also you are not allowed dribble the basketball, pick it up, and then begin dribbling again, this is also a double dribble. When you are dribbling the basketball your hand must stay on top of the basketball or you will get called for a carry, which is also a turnover.

Once you have mastered being able to dribble the basketball with either hand you want to start working on different dribbling moves. There is 4 basic moves that you can use and then to start getting more complex you can begin to add combinations of the moves together.

Four Basic Dribbling Moves

• Crossover: Cross the basketball from one hand to the other. This can be done in front of your body, behind the back, or between the legs. When doing this move you want to fake like you are going one way before crossing the basketball over the opposite way.

• Hesitation: For this dribbling move you are going to pause for a half second acting like you might cross the ball over to your other hand but then dribble past the defender with the same hand that already has the ball in it.

• In & Out: This move is similar to the hesitation move in that you are going to keep the ball in the same hand the whole time. What you are going to do is begin to do the crossover move in front of your body but then instead of letting the ball go you are going to bring it back out and drive past the defender. Be careful not to carry the ball.

• S Move: When using the s move you want to start dribbling one direction with the basketball. As the defender goes to step in front of you to cut you off you are going to s off the defender and dribble past them.

Dribbling is not just about doing moves to get past your defender or to be fancy with the basketball. You must be able to protect your dribble and keep the defense from stealing the basketball. It is important that you are deceptive with your dribbles and your change of direction. Here are a few more tips to becoming a better ball handler.

Dribbling Tips

• Stay low to the ground and keep your dribble tight to your body.

• Keep your eyes up so that you can see everything.

• Change up your speeds from slow to fast. If you stay at the same speed the whole time you are easy to guard.

• Be deceptive with your moves and don't telegraph what move you are going to use.

Becoming a good ball handler takes time and practice. Now that you know what to do you need to go practice and work at it. Click on the following link to see all of our Basketball Dribbling Drills or checkout our 25 Newest Drills for Free.