We focus on use of both the left hand and the right hand, practicing multiple dribble moves. the crossover, inside out, reverse dribble, around the back, between the legs, step back, pocket dribble, hip swivel, glide dribble, power dribble, slide dribble, veer dribble, escape dribble and speed dribble.

Dribble moving the elbow and wrist through the ball, no higher than the thigh, hips down / eyes up.

“Break the Floor” with your dribble. When you dribble hard the ball returns quickly. This is especially important when shooting off the dribble. A hard dribble can be snapped into the shot pocket more quickly than a soft dribble.

Emphasis is on attacking at proper angles. If the dribble attack is too wide the defender can easily recover. Avoid turning the shoulders. Dribble in a balanced position (knees over toes / shoulders over knees). Footwork is important here as with other basketball skills. Competent ball handlers can move effortlessly from the balanced position, facing the defender, to a split and go stance to accelerate and drive by the defender. Footwork is also used to pivot and attack on a cross over, inside out, and between the legs dribble, to step back and away from the defender, to glide to the defender’s outside shoulder, to spin away from the defender using a reverse dribble and to stop and turn your shoulder in to protect the ball with a power dribble.

Attack the ankles and hand of the defender. As you step past the defender, dribbling with the hand farthest from the defender, the inside hand leads through (arm bar) – like shaking hands – maintaining body position and shielding the ball from the reach of the defender.

To create effective offense players must have the skill to break down their defender, draw a help defender and make sound decisions - score or pass. Dribbling east / west (side to side) rarely creates offensive opportunities. Experienced ball handlers also know that straight ahead speed is not as effective as changing speed and changing direction. They combine slow moves with quick moves, step backs with cross overs – keeping the defender off balance. With change of speed / change of direction skills, the ballhandler can attack north / south (to the basket) and create more efficient scoring opportunities.

Skilled ball handlers also change level as they change speeds and direction. As the ball handler dribbles slowly, she is upright. When transitioning from slow to fast the ball handler also transitions from high to low, similar to a lunge position, accelerating and attacking the defender.

Kentucky Ball Handling

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