Basketball drills
Basketball ball handling drills
7 free Basketball drills for ball handling, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier.
7 drills
Ball handlingDecision-makingAttack the close-out 1v1The defender passes out and closes out; the attacker reads the close-out and shoots, or drives past it, in two dribbles.12 min · 4–12 players · U11+
Ball handlingCrossover and change of paceDribblers slow down, cross over low and burst past cones, then beat a live defender and finish at the rim.12 min · 4–12 players · U10+
Ball handlingGameDribble tagEveryone dribbles inside the half court while two taggers, also dribbling, try to tag them with their free hand.8 min · 6–16 players · U6+
ShootingBall handlingPull-up jump shotPlayers attack the elbow at speed with a defender chasing, stop on balance off the dribble and shoot before the contest arrives.12 min · 2–10 players · U12+
Ball handlingRed light, green light dribblingPlayers dribble towards the coach on green, slow down on yellow and jump stop on red, without travelling or double dribbling.8 min · 3–16 players · U5+
Ball handlingWarm-upStationary ball handling seriesA standing series of wraps, pound dribbles, crossovers and figure 8s that gets every player touching the ball from the first minute.8 min · 1–20 players · U6+
Ball handlingWarm-upTwo-ball dribblingDribble two balls at once, together then alternating, standing and then walking.8 min · 1–15 players · U8+