Ball Handling

Ball Handling is another essential component to be an effective offensive basketball player. It is important to stress ball handling to young basketball players in order for them totally develop their offensive basketball skills. The best way to become a better ball handler is to handle the ball consistently. Daily repetition is the key to success to being a better and effective ball handler.

Good basketball players can handle the basketball with either hand. Strong ball handlers know what type of dribble move to use depending on the situation. Dribbling around cones, executing a spin move, rocker step, cross through the legs, reverse pivot, in and out, etc. All of these moves should and must be practiced at game speed to have the ability to execute them in game situations.

Ball handlers must learn to handle the basketball playing against a defender in order to learn how to protect the ball. It is important for ball handlers to remember to keep the ball low and use their body for separation between the ball and the defender. (basketball, ball handler, defender) Footwork is essential in ball handling as well.

Big guys (forwards and centers) should learn to handle the basketball as well. They should execute the same ball handling drills as small guys (guards) are. In practice, big guys (forwards and centers) should work on ball handling independently from the small guys (guards). It will help their confidence and they will compete with players that are working at the same level.

A player that can handle the basketball is hard to defend and very valuable to their team. Remember, work hard and at game speed and you can improve your ball handling! You have to spend time daily in order to see improvement.

Yours in Basketball,


Coach Stewart