The most dedicated basketball players find time outside of practice to work on their game. If that's the kind of player you are, you're probably looking for effective drills that will help improve your ball handling or shooting that you can do completely on your own. Practicing basketball drills by yourself shows your dedication and can help you become a better player when game time rolls around.
Mikan Drill
You don't have to be a post player to benefit from the low-post Mikan drill. Even smaller guards will see an improvement in shooting and footwork skills around the basket. To do the Mikan drill, stand underneath the basket holding a ball. Step to the right of the basket and shoot a layup by jumping off your left foot and shooting with your right hand. Immediately rebound the ball and step to the left side of the basket, jump off your right foot and shoot a layup off the backboard with your left hand. Repeat this process for a set period, either a certain number of layups or a time limit such as one minute.
High-Low Drill
Being able to control the ball while paying attention to what the defense is doing is key to effective ball handling. To practice this skill, take a ball and pick a spot to dribble to. As you dribble, alternate between bouncing the ball high--to your eyes or the top of your head--and bouncing it only 6 to 8 inches off the ground. Make sure to keep your eyes and head looking forward, not down at the ball, as you complete the drill. Dribble back and forth between your starting point and target spot, trying not to lose the ball as you dribble.
Chair Dribble Drill
For this dribble drill, you'll need an open court and a few empty chairs, and you'll be able to practice dribbling around defenders. Set up a series of five to six chairs in a straight line down the court, separated by about 4 to 5 feet each. Start in front of the first chair and dribble to the right of it, using your right hand to dribble. As you pass the chair, use a crossover move to switch the ball to your left hand, then dribble to the left of the next chair. Keep as close to the chairs as possible. Cross the ball over again to your right hand, moving past the next chair. Repeat this process until you pass the last chair. Turn around and run the drill again. Time yourself to see how fast you can complete the drill.
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