Basketball ball handling drills
Dribbling drills a player can do in the driveway or garage, each with a video clip, steps and a count.
How coaches assign drills- 8 drills
- All with no partner needed
- Every drill has a video clip
- 6–10 minutes each
8 basketball ball handling drills
Ball handling0:47Pound Dribbles
FixesSoft, high dribbles that are easy to steal
- 6 min
- Ages 6–18
6 rounds of 30 seconds (3 heights, each hand), 4–6 days a week
Ball handling0:36Ball Wraps and Figure 8
FixesClumsy hands and a weak off hand
- 8 min
- Ages 6–18
Wraps 10 each way, then 3 rounds of 30 seconds of figure 8 dribbles, 4–6 days a week
Ball handling1:28Crossover Dribble Drill
FixesHigh, wide crossovers that get stolen
- 10 min
- Ages 7–18
3 rounds of 30 seconds standing, then 4 trips through the cones, 3–5 days a week
Ball handling1:25Between the Legs Dribble
FixesBall hitting your legs and standing too tall
- 10 min
- Ages 8–18
4 rounds of 30 seconds standing (2 with each foot forward), then 4 walking trips, 3–5 days a week
Ball handling1:20Behind the Back Dribble
FixesLooking back for the ball and bouncing it too far away
- 10 min
- Ages 8–18
10 wraps each way, 3 rounds of 30 seconds standing, then 4 walking trips, 3–5 days a week
Ball handling0:47In and Out Dribble and Hesitation
FixesAlways dribbling at one speed
- 10 min
- Ages 9–18
30 seconds standing with each hand, then 20 reps (5 of each move, each hand), 3–5 days a week
Ball handling1:25Two Ball Dribbling
FixesA weak hand that can't keep up
- 8 min
- Ages 9–18
6 rounds of 30 seconds (2 of each pattern), 3–5 days a week
Ball handling1:09Tennis Ball Dribble Drill
FixesWatching the ball while you dribble
- 8 min
- Ages 8–18
30 tosses (15 with each hand), 3–5 days a week
How to use these basketball ball handling drills
Ball handling problems these drills fix
- Looking down at the ball.
- A weak left hand (or right hand for lefties).
- Dribbling too high, so the ball is easy to steal.
- Losing the ball on crossovers and other changes of direction.
Each drill has a short video clip, numbered steps and one result to count, like dribbles in 30 seconds.
Where to start
- Start with pound dribbles and ball wraps and figure 8s. They build the hand strength and feel for the ball that every other move needs.
- Add the crossover and the in and out dribble next.
- Move to between the legs, behind the back and two ball dribbling once both hands are comfortable.
- The tennis ball dribble drill trains players to keep their eyes up.
What you need
- A ball that fits the player's age and a flat, smooth surface: a driveway, garage floor, basement or park court.
- Grass and gravel make the ball bounce wrong. Keep dribbling away from parked cars and the street.
- Two-ball dribbling needs a second ball, and the tennis ball drill needs a tennis ball.
How many reps and how often
- Five to ten minutes of ball handling every day beats one long session a week.
- Work both hands the same amount. Most players need extra time on the weak hand.
- Go fast enough to lose the ball sometimes. A player who never loses it is going too slow to get better.
Basketball ball handling drills FAQ
What are good ball handling drills for beginners?
Start with pound dribbles: hard dribbles at knee and waist height with one hand, then the other. Add ball wraps and figure 8s to get used to the ball in your fingertips. Both work for players as young as 6.
How can I get better at dribbling at home?
Pick two or three drills and do them for 10 minutes most days: pound dribbles, crossovers and one harder move like between the legs. Dribble hard, keep your eyes up and give your weak hand as many reps as your strong hand.
How do I stop looking at the ball when I dribble?
Practice moves standing still until they feel automatic, then add something to look at. In the tennis ball dribble drill you dribble with one hand while tossing and catching a tennis ball with the other, so you can't watch the basketball.
How long should kids practice ball handling each day?
Five to fifteen minutes a day is enough for most youth players. Short, hard sessions where the player sometimes loses the ball build more skill than long, slow ones.
More basketball drills by skill
- Individual basketball shooting drills6 drills
Form shooting close to the rim, free throws, catch and shoot, pull-ups and a 50-shot tracking drill. A lying down drill works on form with no hoop.
- Basketball finishing drills5 drills
Layup footwork on both sides, left-handed layups, reverse layups, the euro step and the floater.
- Basketball passing drills at home3 drills
Chest passes, bounce passes and one-hand passes off the dribble against a wall or with a partner.
- Basketball footwork drills2 drills
Jump stops, pivots, the triple threat position and the jab step. No hoop needed.
- Basketball defense drills at home3 drills
The defensive stance, defensive slides and a mirror drill with a partner.
- Basketball rebounding drills at home1 drill
Toss the ball off the backboard and catch it at the top of your jump with two hands.
- Basketball conditioning drills2 drills
Line sprints and jump rope for quick feet and the legs to last a whole game.
Assign basketball drills to your team
Use the drills in this library or make your own. Coaches assign them as homework between practices, and players open each drill on their phone, do it and check in when they finish.
Get the Bravara app- 01
Pick drills or make your own
Start from the basketball drills in this library, copy one and change it, or write your own with steps, a YouTube video, your own photos and videos or a link to read. Then assign it to the whole team or to certain players and set how many days a week.
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Players do them at home
Players open the drill on their phone, watch the video or read the steps, do the drill and check in when they finish. They can upload a video of their work too.
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Players log a result
A drill can have one result to track, like strikes out of 30. Results stay private to the player and their family, and players earn XP and levels as they keep checking in.
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The coach sees who did it
Coaches see who has checked in on each drill and can react or reply to a player's check-in.
Assign basketball ball handling drills with Bravara Reps
Coaches assign drills to the team or to certain players. Players check in from home, log a result and earn XP as they go.
