Youth Basketball Ball Handling Drills

Every fan enjoys watching the creativity of a great ball handler. Few plays in basketball are as athletic and graceful as a well-executed spin move, an ankle-breaking cross over, or a behind the back dribble to avoid a defender. The purpose of these dribbling moves, however, is quite simple: to change direction. When you are dribbling the basketball and your defender alters your path, you must have at least one of these moves ready.

Assuming that you are already handling the basketball using proper technique, the keys to a good change of direction dribble are planting and cutting hard on your outside leg, and dribbling the ball low, close to the floor. Usually, if play has dictated that a change of direction dribble is necessary, there will be a lot of traffic and/or defensive pressure. Keeping the ball low will make it much more difficult for the defense to steal it.

While it is absolutely essential that you develop some of these skills for game use, as a youth basketball player, you should not attempt to use some of the more advanced ball control skills (behind the back, spin, around the back, between the legs) unless you have mastered them and use them only when they are necessary. Develop an effective cross over dribble first and use it when your path must be altered. Remember to keep the ball low on your cross over.

Below are some tips for change of direction dribbling as well as some fun drills for your youth basketball team's practice. You can also find more free basketball skills & drills videos and tutorials online at websites like Weplay.com.

Basketball Ball Control Tips

• As with all dribbling, keep your head up and eyes forward as much as possible so you can see your teammates and your opponents.
• Plant and cut hard on your outside leg and foot. It's not a change of direction if you continue on the same path.
• Dribble the ball as low to the floor as possible when you are in traffic.
• When dribbling to the right, the ball should be in your right hand. When dribbling to your left, the ball should be in your left hand.

Basketball Dribbling Drills

• 3 Lines
  Divide your team into three lines at the baseline. Each player has a ball. On the whistle, the first player in each line dribbles to their right. At the free throw line, the players cross over to the left. After approximately ten feet, each player crosses back over to the right. This continues to the end of the floor. The next player in line starts when the player ahead of them passes the free throw line. After each trip down the floor, change the dribble (cross over, spin, behind the back, between the legs).
  
  
• Individual Cross Over
  This is a very simple, individual drill to work on your cross over dribble. On the whistle, dribble in place in a good, athletic stance with your arm bar up. On the next whistle, make a cross over dribble to your other hand and continue to dribble. Work on a very low cross over.