By James Black |
If you have ever watched the Golden State Warriors game, you most likely are familiar with the exceptional dribbling technique of the leading man there - the point guard Stephen Curry.
His ability to control the ball is second to none. No other guy in the entire NBA comes close to the ball control that Stephen has.
But how do you develop a dribble technique like that? Where do you really start?
Well, that’s precisely what this article is about.
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What you’ll discover here is a few advanced techniquest that will put you steps ahead of your main opponents. Let’s start.
You are not going to dribble the ball the same way in every situation, that is why you must practice the various different ways to do it.
One of the most common mistakes a new basketball player will make is staring at the ball when dribbling.
Learn how to dribble without looking at the ball, this allows you to focus on what is going on everywhere else on the court and can help you plan for your next move.
The speed dribble is one of the most basic forms of dribbling in which you have an advantage. You just got the ball, and have no defenders around you. You must hurry up to your basket to score. Defending the ball is not the priority here, maintaining top speed is.
You want to keep the ball about waist high as you run down the court as fast as you can. Push the ball forward with great force.
You want to be sure not to push the ball too much where you aren't able to recover it, but you also don't want to push it not hard enough where the ball doesn't stay with you.
Keeping an eye ahead of you and around you to see who is around you is essential in making the play. The speed of which you run can help your jump when you eventually shoot the ball.
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Crossing over is essential in getting past a defender. The crossover is when you shift the ball from one hand to the other, and move past the defender.
When you cross over, aim to get the ball from the starting hand to the opposite foot. Keep your hand parallel with your body so you are able to catch the ball, and then push the ball forward.
Move forward starting with your starting shoulder to prevent the defender from getting the ball and rush past him. The ball has a chance to be stolen during crossovers, so act as quickly as possible to prevent the defender from taking action.
The between the legs dribble is a good way to keep the defender on their toes by changing which hand you are dribbling with. To accomplish this dribble, dribble low and close to the floor.
Thrust with your starting hand between your legs, while you make sure your receiving hand is close to your legs and pointing down, open, so you are able to catch the ball.
Continue to dribble with the receiving hand, and break away at the best opportunity.
Practising these few things is going to massively improve your ball handling, which is essential to become a better basketball player.
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If you want to become a quicker, more complete ball handler on court, start with these 7 ball handling drills. Practising them daily will not only make you a good when controlling the ball but also in creating plays and openings for the winning shots. Here we go.
Stand with a ball in both hands. Start circling it around your head, waist, and knees. Bend and spread your legs, circle the ball around one leg to the other. This will help you get more feel of the ball while promoting hand coordination as well as speed.
Stand at one end of the court with your left leg forward and pass the ball under. Change steps going forward with the ball being passed under the ahead leg.
Squeeze your fingers and thumb together as you move the ball quickly from one hand to the other at eye level. Doing so will improve your finger and arm strength for ball control.
From in front of your waist, pass the ball from one hand to the other with your finger tips. This will help develop your finger tip control in handling the ball properly.
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Practice the body awareness drill. Bounce the ball with two hands into your spread legs going to the back. Then catch it with both hands and pass it back to the front with both hands again.
Circle the ball from the outside of your left leg to the outside of your right. As it reaches the back between your legs, let it drop and reverse your hands and catch the ball before it bounces again.
Do the drill #6 and when you bounce the ball, reverse your movement. Circle the ball outside your right leg and around your left leg starting at the back to the front.
These drills are actually difficult to master but with constant practice, you will surely get it. In a matter of time, you will be a great ballhandler by doing so.
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