How to get better at Basketball : Dribbling Techniques

 🏀Ball Handling & Dribbling🏀🏀

How to Get Better at Basketball

Ball handling and Dribbling are the foundation to a good basketball career. According to James Wilson , " Good ball handling means you have better control of the ball , which results in having a good foundation in shooting , passing or dribbling" (14)

🏀Triple Threat🏀

A tip James Wilson mentions in his book How to be better at basketball in 21 days is : To understand the triple threat stance

The triple threat position allows you to pass , shoot or dribble (hence the name). The triple threat position is when you are in a "crouched, athletic attack stance you have a firm grip on the ball on your dominant hip and eyes facing forward " (Wilson 14). Once you get this stance down you are a triple threat.

🏀Dribbling 🏀

Dribbling should be a second nature for basketball players especially guards. In James Wilson's book he emphasizes that you should not dribble the ball with your fingertips but with the palm of your hand.

In this clip , Alexis (Point Guard) is shown dribbling with her palm. As you can see it is very difficult for her too have CONTROL over the ball . 

When dribbling with her fingertips and palms the overall control of the ball is greater.

Another example of bad vs. good dribbling

 

As seen with these clips , correct dribbling and using good ball handling techniques can drastically improve your game.

Questions : 

Do you have any dribbling or ball handling tips ? 

Have or Do you play basketball ?

The Use of One Dribble

          Many basketball players try to show off with impressive dribbling skills, like dribbling the ball behind the back or in between the legs as much as they can. But showing off doesn't always help you score and doesn't help  win important games.  In STUFF Good Players Should Know, DeVenzio  stresses that you only need one dribble to make a great play; too many dribbles cause turn overs because it gives the defense time to get in position to steal the ball (76).  Throughout my basketball career, I've noticed that the higher level I play at, the harder it is to dribble through other players. Even with different moves, better players can steal the ball if I dribble too much. Using one dribble to get to the basket or to shoot the ball made it so I can get an easier pass or a better shot, so the defense couldn't recover.  To get used to staying low and pounding the ball so I can get farther with one dribble, I do dribbling drills with weighted gloves, shown in the picture below.

        Another asset of using one dribble is that it is a lot faster, and the defense doesn't expect it.  "One dribble is explosive, and one dribble does not signal the defense. By the time the defenders see a need to alter position, you are already shooting"(DeVenzio 75).  This tip has helped me get the the hoop more often. When I use one dribble, the defender reacts after I get by them, so they are already behind me by the time I get to the basket. When I use more than one dribble, the defender is able tip the ball from behind me, because they have more time to recover.  If you play basketball, try this in practice, or at the gym during a pick-up game. I guarantee that you 'll be able to get to the basket easier, rather than trying to dribble too much around the defender. 

What are some other ways to get by your defender in other sports? What are some other ways to get to the basket?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. Victoria, TX: PGC Basketball, 2014. Print.