Get out on the floor and start dribbling the basketball. It is a vital skill and you want to be as strong as possible bouncing the ball. Keeping the ball under control helps push the offense down the floor and protects against turnovers. Using your strong hand to dribble the basketball is the goal, but it is not always possible. The floor often gets crowded and the defender can force you to dribble with your weak hand.
Step 1
Dribble with your weak hand only, holding your strong dribbling hand behind your back. It will feel awkward as you begin the transition. Give it time, and tie the strong hand behind your back if you can't keep it from interfering.
Make it a challenge by timing yourself dribbling the full length of the court with your weak hand, and work on beating the score. Dribble up and down the sidewalk, bounce the basketball with your knees deeply bent and even sit and dribble when the weak hand dribble feels more comfortable from continued practice.
Step 2
Utilize both your fingertips and pads when dribbling the basketball, and take plenty of time getting the feeling for dribbling with your weak hand. Don't dribble with your palms because you have little or no control and are basically slapping the basketball. Make sure you get as much of the finger pad on the ball because it supplies better touch and control than the fingertip.
Step 3
Practice snapping your wrist on each bounce of the ball while holding your arm straight. The wrist provides the actual push action needed to begin the dribble. Avoid snapping the wrist and pushing too hard or the basketball will bounce high off the floor and be difficult to control, but don't push too softly or the ball won't bounce up high enough. Ideally, the wrist push with the weak hand brings the dribble up to the hip level.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep your head up and try dribbling without looking at the basketball. When dribbling with the weak hand, use the strong one to ward off defenders. Use grip training to strengthen the weak hand.
- If you continually look at the basketball when dribbling, you're likely to run into the defender or step out of bounds. Defensive pressure is most aggressive in the corners, so keep the dribble out in the open court.
Things You'll Need
- Basketball
- Gym shoes
- Gym shorts
- Loose-fitting T-shirt
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