Basketball Dribbling Drills (with Video!)

Performing a basic dribble with a large, rubber basketball is fairly easy. Dribbling a smaller, less bouncy tennis ball is not. Learning to dribble a tennis ball, therefore, can refine your coordination and dribbling skills, leading to better ball handling on the basketball court. Some basketball dribbling drills using a tennis ball can also help you perfect certain dribbling moves like the no-look dribble or the crossover dribble. Here are some ball handling drills that can help you become a better basketball player.

Dribble and Juggle

For this one all you need is two balls to help improve your fundamental ball-handling skills.

Bounce the basketball using your non preferred (right hand for lefties, left hand for righties). Hold a tennis ball in your other hand.

Run and dribble with the basketball hand. Throw the tennis ball in the air with the other while dribbling.

Bounce the basketball low to the ground and keep your legs wide and stable. Throw the tennis ball higher as you gain confidence.

Focus on catching the tennis ball -- don't look at the basketball. This helps you develop automatic dribbling abilities instead of having to fix your eyes on the basketball the whole time.

Repeat the drill several times up and down the court.

Tennis Ball Dribbling

This drill is a great warm-up for your hand-eye coordination pre-game and a favorite among most basketball coaches.

Dribble the length of a basketball court using a tennis ball. Cross your dribbling hand over several times while going from baseline to baseline, maybe even a back dribble.

Pick up another tennis ball. Hold one in each hand. This will introduce two ball dribbling.

Bounce each ball at the same time, dribbling both tennis balls along the court.

Avoid catching the tennis ball while running. Dribble it as you would a basketball.

Figure eight drill

This basketball workout will help you with footwork and ball control while also playing at the full speed of an NBA point guard.

Set up multiple cones in a line on half court and practice speed dribbling around the cones.

Then, utilize the dribbling technique known as the figure eight. It’s a dribble where the dribbler moves the ball in between his right leg and left leg, going around both legs as they do it.

Do this while moving around the cones. You can move the cones around to introduce a change of direction into the drill.

Time each of your reps to help improve your on the move quickness.

Tips

Get a friend to throw a tennis ball at you while you dribble a basketball. Try catching the ball in one hand while dribbling with the other.

Warnings

Don't run and dribble too fast until you're comfortable bouncing the tennis ball. Going too fast too early could make you trip and fall.

Tips

Get a friend to throw a tennis ball at you while you dribble a basketball. Try catching the ball in one hand while dribbling with the other.

Warnings

Don't run and dribble too fast until you're comfortable bouncing the tennis ball. Going too fast too early could make you trip and fall.