Being able to dribble a basketball can drastically improve your game and add value to you as a player. Anyone can dribble the ball with no one around them and looking down at the ball but this is not enough if you want to become a good player. If you are busy looking down at the ground while you are dribbling you are not able to see the play happening in front of you. As a young player it is important to practice dribbling without looking down at the ball.
Another key to being a good ball handler is to learn how to dribble with both hands. Even if it is hard at first learn how to dribble with your weak hand. If you can only dribble with your right hand what are you going to do when the defense makes you go left? Learn how to to dribble with both hands so that you do not have a weak hand.
Once you have mastered being able to dribble with either hand you can work on your dribbling moves. A few of the basic moves are in and out, crossovers, and between the legs. The reason you would use one of these moves is to get past your defender or to get space from your defender. You shouldn't use these moves without a reason. Whatever move you are going to use, the goal is to fakr like you are going one way with the ball and then go the other way. Be careful not to carry the ball, because this will be a turnover and the other team will get the ball.
Put lots of practice into dribbling and then dribble with confidence when you play. Don't be scared when the defense gets up tight on you. Remember you can always pick up the ball and pass it to a teammate. Don't waist your dribbles and protect the ball while you are dribbling. It doesn't matter how good of a dribbler you are today the key is to start practicing today and get better each day after that. To learn some good basketball dribbling drills checkout basketballhq.com.
This article was written by Kyle Ohman the co-creator of basketballHQ.com. Kyle Ohman was a thousand point scorer at Liberty University (div. 1), was ranked the 19th best shooter in the country by Fox Sports his senior year. Kyle has also played professionally in Spain. Most recently he coached a high school team that played on a national level and beat the 12th ranked team in the nation. Coach Ohman has a promising career in the basketball industry as a coach and trainer.