In basketball, point guards handle most of the dribbling chores, bringing the ball up the court and distributing it to teammates. Yet even shooting guards, forwards and centers should possess strong ballhandling skills, as being able to maintain possession and dribble the ball opens up the offense and protects against careless turnovers. Five of the most vital ballhandling techniques should be part of every player's arsenal.
Control Dribble
When faced with an aggressive defender, you want to protect the ball at all costs and employ a control dribble. Turn your body perpendicular to the defender and assume a more crouched position, bending your knees and leaning forward slightly at the waist. Position your body between the defender and the ball, using your near hip, shoulder and arm to keep the defender at bay while maintaining your dribble with your other hand.
Speed Dribble
If the defense has backed off, or if you're attempting to trigger a fast break, you'll need to use a speed dribble to move up court as quickly as possible. Push the ball out in front of you and bounce it waist high while running at top speed. Keep your head up and survey the entire court, looking for open teammates and scoring opportunities. Although designed for fast movement, the speed dribble must be kept under control, so resist the urge to run faster than you can safely handle the ball.
Crossover
Popularized by many NBA stars, the crossover dribble can make defenders look foolish. In a crossover, you'll transition the ball from one hand to the other with one quick bounce. For instance, if dribbling with your right hand, you'll lull the defender to sleep or entice him into reaching forward before bouncing the ball across your body to your left hand. The most effective crossovers may occur while already backing up defenders, with the sudden change in direction often tripping them up and creating an easy path to the basket.
Behind the Back
It might seem like a flashy move, but a behind-the-back dribble can allow for a quick change of direction and enable you to gain separation on a pesky defender. If you're dribbling with your right hand and notice the defender overplaying you in that direction, bounce the ball behind your back and pick up the dribble with your left hand. The maneuver should open up a clear lane. And because you're dribbling behind your back, you're keeping your body between the defender and the ball, reducing the risk of a possible turnover.
Between the Legs
Similar to a behind-the-back dribble, dribbling between the legs can also be used for a quick change of direction or to shed an aggressive defender. Again, dribble with your strong hand until you get the defender to overplay to that side and then fire a quick bounce between your legs to your other hand. The move will often get the defender to reach for the ball, throwing him off balance and giving you an advantage in slashing to the hoop.
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