Basketball Ball Handling Skills

Dribbling also called ball handling is the only way to move the basketball while maintaining possession of the basketball. This will help you to get to where you need to go, and if you're very good at it, you can please the crowd and become very popular when combined with the proper moves and in the proper situations.

Every player on this planet at some point in time is going to come across, and will have to learn how to properly dribble the basketball. The good news it that there are tons of resources out there to assist you with this, such as basketball camps, DVDs, workbooks, etc. One important thing to note here is that it does not matter what position that you play on the basketball court.

If you can properly handle the basketball then you reduce your chances of turnovers, you will be able to get to where you need to get on the floor with the ball easier, and you will have more confidence.

Ball handling also has more benefits than just flash, and getting to where you need to get to on the floor. When combined with the proper moves at the proper times, you will be able to create the proper spacing between you and the person guarding you. The end result is that you will increase your chances of shooting a high percentage shot, as oppose to a contested one.

Players such as Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, and many more are able to use their ball handling very well to get the separation needed to shoot, or to get by their defenders.

You can become very hard to stop on the basketball court if you can add both explosiveness with proper ball handling. However, if you're new to ball handling here are some rules to proper ball handling.

Rule 1: You have two hands, which means train both of them. If you neglect the hand that's not very strong, then you limit your potential as a basketball player in a big way. When you're not training your weak hand, you will have a hard time come game time.

Rule 2: Use your finger tips when you bounce the ball. The reason why is because it feels more natural and you have much more control of the basketball compared to dribbling with your palms.

Rule 3: Keep the basketball around waist high or lower when you're dribbling. This reduces the chances of the ball being stolen by your defender, because the amount of time it takes to return to your hand is shorter compare to if you was dribbling higher. Every time that ball leaves your hands to bounce off of the floor it's in danger of being taken, and you want to make that amount of time as short as possible. Ideally, you want the ball around knee level if you have a defender right in front of you, but for some players it's not comfortable, so waist line is fine. As long as you're in a athletic position.

Rule 4: There are three positions that your body can be in when you're dribbling the basketball. These three positions are...

1. Control Position: This position is simply a matter of keeping your head up, your shoulders down lower than your defender, and your knees slightly bent. Not only does this reduce your chances of turning the ball over, but you will become more explosive because you will be able to target the very same muscles that are used in quick movements. Every perimeter player is in this position before they put a move such as a crossover or behind the back on a defender.

2. Speed Position: Simply put, sprinting with the basketball is the goal here. Used in a fastbreak, this position increases your speed with the ball and should be done when a defender is to far away to steal the ball from you. Some players will even push the ball way out in front of them and then sprint it down to ensure that they are getting from point A to point B as quick as possible. Your body is straight up and the ball is not as protected as much as with the other two body positions which is why it's important to be done in a fastbreak situation.

3. Power Position: This position is done by using a wide stance and can be utilized by anyone on the floor. The idea is to keep the bouncing basketball out of the defenders reach by ensuring that you're the middle man between the ball and the player guarding you. Unlike a post up where you back is more so in your defenders chest, with this position your shoulder of the arm closest to the defender is in his chest or close to it. This allows maximum protection and ensures that you can see the floor to pass to the open player if necessary.

These three positions as well as the basic rules are very important to handling the basketball, and should be practiced until mastered before moving on to advanced moves.