Ball handling is one of the most important skills in the game of basketball. Being able to handle the ball in different pressure situations without turning it over leads to increased efficiency on offense and fewer turnovers. Stationary ball-handling drills will help improve your ability to keep control of the ball and keep it away from defenders.
Figure 8 Drills
The figure 8 drill is a simple exercise helping you learn how to dribble and transfer the ball from one hand to another without dropping it. There are two versions of this drill, one with dribbling, the other without. To do the non-dribbling drill, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a basketball in your hands. Bend over at the waist and bend your knees slightly. Use your right hand to bring the basketball behind your right leg and then forward through both legs. Grab the ball with your left hand and bring it back behind your left leg and then forward through both legs, in a figure-8 pattern. Repeat this as fast as you can for a set amount of time, such as 30 seconds. Try to do the whole drill without dropping the ball. For the dribbling version, move the ball around and through your legs, except while dribbling instead of holding the ball.
Crossover Drill
The crossover is a unique ball-handling skill that allows you to fake out a defender to dribble past him to the goal. Use the stationary crossover drill to practice this move. Stand and dribble the ball in your right hand several times. While standing still, move your upper body to the right while at the same time pushing the ball out of your right hand toward the ground so that it bounces in front of you into your left hand. Dribble several times with your left hand, then repeat the action in the reverse direction -- making a move to the left while pushing the ball toward your right hand. Perform this movement several times with each hand, focusing on looking forward and making a faking motion while dribbling the ball.
Two-Ball Dribble Drill
Basketball players may fail to develop their ball-handling skills in both hands and become limited with the types of moves they can do out on the court as a result. The two-ball dribble drill helps you to develop both hands at the same time to give you the ball-handling skills you need in both hands. Stand with a basketball in each hand. Start dribbling with your dominant hand. Once you've established a steady rhythm, start dribbling with the ball in the other hand. Switch back and forth between dribbling both balls so they hit the ground at the same time and dribbling so that one ball is in one hand while the other ball is bouncing on the ground. Vary the height of the dribbles as well to add variety to the drill.
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