- By Grant Young
It's crucial for non-primary ball handlers in basketball to practice dribbling for several important reasons.
- Having a well-rounded skill set enhances a player's overall value to the team. Even if a player isn’t the main ball handler, being able to dribble effectively allows them to contribute to the offense by creating their own shot or breaking through a defensive set. This versatility can be a game-changer, especially in tight situations where primary ball handlers may be closely guarded or in foul trouble.
- Improving dribbling skills helps to boost confidence on the court. Non-primary ball handlers often may hesitate to take the initiative due to a lack of practice in ball handling. When they develop their dribbling ability, they become more self-assured in their gameplay. This confidence can lead to better decision-making on the court, whether it’s driving to the hoop, passing to teammates, or executing plays.
- Practicing and drilling dribbling enables players to better understand spacing and movement. This knowledge helps non-primary ball handlers to read the game more effectively, allowing them to create opportunities not just for themselves but also for others. By dribbling well, they can draw defenders away from their teammates, opening up passing lanes and creating favorable situations for scoring.
- In today’s fast-paced game, the ability of any player to handle the ball is invaluable. Defenses are increasingly focusing on double-teaming primary ball handlers, so having multiple players capable of dribbling allows for better ball movement and offensive fluidity. This can keep the defense guessing and lead to easier scoring opportunities.
All of this is to say that it's essential for non-primary ball handlers to practice dribbling. This is why we’ve selected three dribbling drills that are perfect for developing players who haven’t acquired the same confidence in ball handling as the guards on your team.
Rick Torbett - Three Ball Coordination Workout
Rick Torbett is the founder of Better Basketball and the creator of the Read and React offense. In 2001, he created a service that provided DVD and now a streaming service that consists of training and instructing basketball players and coaches.
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In his ‘Better Ball Handling’ course, Coach Torbett conveys a series of three-ball dribbling drills as part of what he calls the Three Ball Coordination Workout that is perfect for non-primary ball handlers who are looking to improve their focus and efficiency with the ball in their hands.
The first part of the drill is a sort of juggling act between the three balls. While one ball is being dribbled from one hand to the other (let’s say the right hand to the left hand), one ball is being moved in the air from the left hand to the right hand while the third ball is being moved from the right hand back toward the ground.
The next phase of this drill requires all three balls placed in front of the player. The player will begin by dribbling the middle ball and one of the outside balls (one with each hand) at the same time. After two dribbles, the player will move so that the middle ball is being dribbled by the other hand while the ball that wasn’t being dribbled now is. The player will continue this way so that the middle ball is always getting dribbled by one hand.
From there, the player (who was standing stationary before) can do the same drill while slowly walking forward.
Dave Severns - 4 Square or Change Drill
Dave Severns is currently a basketball scout for the Indiana Pacers. Before that, he spent 14 years in the NBA as Director of Player Development for the LA Clippers from 2010-2016, Director of Player Development for the Chicago Bulls from 2008-2010, and Pro Personnel Scout for the LA Clippers from 2016-2021.
Coach Severns’ ‘Elite Ballhandling & Passing’ course details what he calls a 4 Square or Change Drill, which can be used by any basketball player who’s looking to improve their dribbling ability.
The drill begins with a line of players along the baseline, aligned with one block. The first player in line will start dribbling to the elbow with their right hand. Once he gets to the elbow, he makes some sort of dribble move (ideally between the legs or a simple crossover for non-primary ball handlers) and pivots the dribbling to the other elbow with the same hand.
They will then do the same thing at that next elbow (ideally a different move if it’s in their repertoire), then again at the baseline, and then they’ll come to a jump stop and pick up their dribble where the line begins. Then the next player will go in line.
After two or three reps of this, the line will move to the other block and players will do the same thing with their left hand.
Andy Cox - Stationary Dribble Floats
Andy Cox is in his fourth season as one of the assistant coaches for the Concordia University men's basketball program.
Andy was a four-year varsity player at Dana College (Neb.) from 2001-05. After graduating from Dana in 2006, he went on to take a job as an assistant coach at Dana. After a year at Dana, Andy took an assistant coach position at Shanley High School in Fargo where he served from 2006-08.
Sometimes it’s best to start with simple drills to build up a non-primary ball handler’s confidence. And in his ‘Daily Ball-Handling’ course, Coach Cox details how stationary dribble floats drill, which will be able to accomplish this.
This drill starts with the player executing a crossover while making a “float” step from side to side. After 30 reps of these, they’ll then move to doing the same thing between the legs. After 30 reps of that, they’ll do this same float step while dribbling the ball behind their back.
