When you see an NBA player pass a defender dribbling a basketball between their legs and behind their back, you have seen the results of years of practice. If you are a beginner at basketball, even basic dribbling can be difficult. Fortunately, with practice, anyone can dribble a basketball well. Learning this requires serious willpower on your part, but with the following tips (and lots of practice), you'll be able to dribble past your opposing team!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Learn Basic Dribble Techniques
Step 1. Hold the basketball with your fingertips, not with your palms
When you dribble, make sure your fingertips are in contact with the ball so you can control the ball well and don't use your hands too hard to keep the ball bouncing. For that, do not kick the ball with the palm of your hand. Instead try to bounce the ball with your fingertips. Spread your fingers when dribbling so that the part of the ball that is touched by your finger is wider and the ball's bounce becomes stable.
Not only do your fingertips give you more ball control than your palm - you can also dribble quickly. Paul George, an Indiana Pacers player, strongly discourages letting the ball touch your palms, as that will slow your dribble
Step 2. Lower your posture
When dribbling, your body should not be in an upright position. Because with this position, the ball takes more time to bounce from your upper body to the floor and back up again, making your ball easier to steal by opposing players. Before dribbling, change your posture to a lower one. Spread your feet shoulder width apart. Bend your knees and elevate your hips slightly (same as when you are sitting in a chair). Keep your head and upper body straight. This is a good, stable base position - it protects the ball from the opponent's guard and provides good maneuverability.
Don't bend your waist (like when you bend down to pick something up). This position is not good for your back, nor is it very stable, which means you could accidentally fall forward, which can be a big mistake when you're in a match
Step 3. Bounce the basketball to the floor
Here he is! Use the fingertips of your dominant hand to bounce the ball to the floor. The bounce is strong, but not so strong that you have to use all your arm power or you will have trouble controlling the ball. Do this dribble move quickly, but remain steady and controlled. Each time the ball bounces back into your hand, without catching it back, use your fingertips to bounce the ball back to the floor with the help of moving your wrists and forearms - and also, don't let your hands get tired. The ball should bounce off the floor next to the front of your foot which is on the same side as the side of your dribbling hand.
When you're practicing dribbling for the first time, it's okay to keep your eyes on the ball until you get used to it. However, you have to get used to not looking at the ball when dribbling. Also make sure you can do this in every game
Step 4. Keep your hands on the ball
When you are dribbling, it is very important to keep the ball in your control. Of course, you don't want to leave the ball out of your reach, as this can benefit the opposing team. Try to position your palms forward over the ball, so that when you dribble forward, the bounce of the ball upwards will fall right on your fingertips. This will increase ball control as you move on the court.
Another reason why you should keep your hands on the ball is because when you look like you're holding the bottom of the ball during a dribble, you're a carrying violation. To avoid this foul, keep your palms facing the floor as you dribble
Step 5. Keep the bounce of the ball low
The faster and lower the bounce, the harder it is for opposing players to snatch the ball from you. One way to lower your bounce is to bounce the ball close to the floor. Since you've lowered your body (bend your knees and lowered your waist), it shouldn't be difficult for you to keep your bounce height between your knees and your waist. Keep your knees bent, place your hands next to your feet, and dribble fast and low.
You shouldn't have to tilt your body to the side to keep your dribble low. If so, you're probably dribbling too low. Remember if you lower your body position, the highest point of your ball bounce should be below your waist and still make it difficult for opposing players to get your ball
Part 2 of 3: Dribble Around the Court
Step 1. Keep your gaze forward
When you're dribbling for the first time and aren't used to it, it's really hard not to look at the ball when you're dribbling. However, it is very important to always look around you when dribbling. During the game, you have to see where your teammates, opposing players, and where the ring is, all when you dribble. You can't do this all at once if you're just staring at the ball.
Serious practice is the only way to make you confident with your dribbling. When you play basketball, you can't spend time just focusing on your dribbling moves. Dribbling should become a habit - you have to “believe” that the ball you bounce will return to your hand without ever having to look at it
Step 2. Be aware of "where" the ball is dribbled
When you dribble during play, you must change the direction of the ball dribble depending on the position of the opposing player and the conditions around you. When you are in the "open court" area (when you are dribbling into the opponent's area after the opposing team has scored), you can dribble the ball in front of you, which will allow you to run as fast as possible. However, if you are near an opposing player (especially if the opponent is guarding you), dribble the ball to your side (on the outside of your foot) in a low defensive position. That way, opposing players have to face your body to grab the ball, making it difficult for opposing players and allowing for fouls.
Step 3. Keep your body positioned between the opposing player and the ball
When you are guarded by 1 or more opposing players - they will follow you and try to snatch the ball from you - cover the ball with your body. Never dribble with the ball face to face with an opposing player. Instead, position yourself between your opponent and the ball, so that it's difficult for the opposing player to snatch the ball from you (remember - an opposing player can't force himself to push your body and grab the ball without risking a foul.).
You can use the hand that is not dribbling the ball as a barrier. Raise your hands and clench your fists, facing the sides of your arms in front of the opposing player. Be careful when using this method. Do not push against an opposing player, hit an opposing player with your hands, or pass an opposing player by pushing with your hand. It's a good idea to use your hands as ball guards (like when you hold a shield) to keep your opponent's players away from you
Step 4. Don't stop
In basketball, players are only allowed to start and stop their dribble once when they have the ball. When dribbling in a match, don't stop your dribble “unless you know what to do next”. When you stop, you can no longer dribble and if your opponent is smart, he will take advantage of your inability to dribble.
If you stop dribbling, your options are to pass the ball to your partner, shoot, or let the ball be stolen by an opposing player. If you plan to make the first or second choice, do so immediately after you stop dribbling - otherwise the opposing player will try to take the ball away from you
Step 5. Know when to pass the ball
Dribbling is not always a good choice for basketball. Often, it would be better if you did the pass. A good passing game is an effective attacking factor. Passing the ball is faster than moving while dribbling, can also be used to outwit opposing players and can be used to pass the ball to colleagues who are on the part of the field guarded by opposing players. Don't be greedy - if dribbling straight into the ring you'll be dealing with a lot of opposing defenders, it's best to pass the ball to a teammate who isn't guarded by an opposing player.
Step 6. Avoid fouls in dribbling
There are some basic rules that govern how you dribble in basketball. Learn these rules! Dribble arbitrarily can result in penalties, hinder your team's attack flow and give the ball to the opposing team for free. Avoid the following violations:
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Travel: Move with the ball without dribbling. Traveling includes:
- Take an extra step, jump, or drag your feet.
- Carry the ball when you walk or run
- Move or change your set foot when you are stationary
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Double dribble: This violation can be divided into two parts:
- Doing dribbling with two hands at the same time
- Dribble, stop dribbling (catch or hold the ball), and then dribble again
- Carrying: Catch the ball with one hand and continue to dribble (without stopping the dribble). In a carry violation, your hand touches the bottom of the ball, then flips the ball while dribbling.
Part 3 of 3: Learn Advanced Ball Handling Techniques
Step 1. Practice the triple threat position
The “triple threat” position is an advantageous position when an attacking player gets a pass from his partner, but before he dribbles. In the triple threat position, players can shoot, pass, or dribble. This position allows the player to protect the ball with his hands and body while he decides which option he will make.
The triple threat position keeps the ball close to the body with a strong grip with your dominant hand on the top of the ball, and your non-dominant hand on the bottom of the ball. Players should lower their body position and keep their elbows bent at 90 degrees. Then the player leans forward slightly. In this position, it will be very difficult for defenders to win the ball
Step 2. Practice the crossover move
A crossover is a dribble technique used to outwit and deceive opposing defenders. The player dribbles in front of his body, then bounces the ball to the opposite hand with a "V"-shaped bounce. By faking his moves, he can make the opposing defender move towards the hand that has the ball, then quickly transfer it to the other hand, allowing the player to pass the opponent or pass the ball when the opponent loses balance.
One related dribble technique is "In & Out Dribble". In short, players pretend they are going to crossover, but still dribble with the same hand
Step 3. Practice dribbling behind your back
When you're guarded by an opponent you can't get past, you may have to use a high dribbling technique to get past him. One of them is to get past your opponent by dribbling the ball behind your body. This move takes some serious practice, but can be worth it later on - once you get it right, it will give your opponent a headache.
Step 4. Practice dribbling between your legs
Another dribbling movement that is often used is to dribble between your feet. You've probably seen a lot of people do this from the Harlem Globetrotters to LeBron James. A quick dribble between the legs can beat even the toughest opposing defenders.
Tips
- Use your non-dominant hand!
- Put up some obstacles. You can use an exercise cone, an old can, or a shoe.
- Practice with your friends.
- Get to know the facts about your basketball. The basketball that is commonly used by men is 29.5 inches, while women's is 28.5 inches. The difference in the size of the ball is very influential, especially when dribbling and shooting. Some basketballs are also designed to be used indoors or outdoors, keep this in mind to keep your basketball in good condition.
- Start slowly. Start with basic exercises and practice until you are able to do more advanced exercises. You can create more difficult obstacles or ask your friends to be opponents.
- Practice squeezing a small ball or tennis ball when you're not practicing on the court. This will increase the strength of your hand and provide better control while dribbling or shooting.
- Do a dribble with two basketballs.
- Here are some basketball exercises you can do
- Exercise with a tennis ball.
