Learning to dribble and effectively handle the ball in a variety of ways is vital if you want to be a good basketball player. Repetition and practice are the only ways to reach your highest level. There are a few cone-dribbling drills you can do to improve your ball handling.
Zig-Zag Drill
Set up cones on one side of the floor in a right to left zig-zag pattern. For example, place one cone on an elbow, another on the sideline midway between the three-point line and mid-court and another on the edge of the mid-court circle. Do this all the way down the floor using six cones. This drill forces players to focus on the cones and not running them over instead of looking at the ball, states Online-basketball-drills.com. Begin by dribbling with the ball in your right hand towards the first cone. When you reach the cone, crossover dribble to your left hand and head towards the second cone. When you reach that cone, crossover dribble to your right and head to the next cone. Repeat this down the floor.
After you've done the drill with a crossover dribble, change the dribble to behind the back and repeat the process. In addition to those variations, also perform a spin-move, between the legs dribble and an in-and-out move in place of the crossover at each cone.
Tight Dribbling Drill
In this drill the cones are set up closer, with three cones on each side of the lane, one at the three-point line, one at the elbow, and one in between the elbow and the baseline. This drill works players in closer quarters and simulates more of a pressured, half-court look. Begin by dribbling at the first cone and execute a crossover dribble, then continue by crossing over and changing hands at each cone. After going through with the crossover, use a behind the back, between the legs, spin move and in-and-out move to change directions at each individual cone. Coach's Clipboard calls this drill an up-tempo drill that teaches you to attack.
Two-cone Retreat Drill
This drill helps to simulate handling the ball against pressure or a trap. It works on keeping your head up and using a retreat dribble. Basketballcoach.com states that it is a great cardiovascular drill as well. Position cones about 10 feet apart in a straight line. Dribble at the first cone and touch it with your nondribbling hand, then dribble backwards in a retreat dribble toward the starting cone. Basketballcoach.com notes that the key is to remember to see the floor during the retreat dribble and angle your body to protect the ball. When you reach the original cone, touch it with your nondribbling hand, cross over and repeat the drill with your other hand
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