How to Become a Better Basketball Dribbler

The basketball dribble is the cornerstone of the basketball offense. To begin the offense, the player must move the ball down the court by dribbling or passing. Becoming a better basketball dribbler will not only help your team, but it will enhance your personal basketball skills. While playing, only one player dribbles the ball at a time, and there are five players on a basketball team playing offense competing against five players playing defense on the court.

Instructions

    • 1

      Push the ball down toward the floor with one hand. This movement is that of dribbling a basketball or bouncing the basketball. For the best effect, you should spread your fingers on the basketball and flex your wrist. The ball does bounce, so the effort should be slight. Slightly bend your knees while dribbling the ball, and in most cases you'll want to be on the balls of your feet ready to move with your dribble.

    • 2

      Keep your eyes on your team member's movements and the defense. You should never look at the basketball while dribbling. The basketball naturally comes back up to your hand, so there really is no need to stare at the ball.

    • 3

      Practice various ways to dribble the ball. You should feel as comfortable dribbling with your left hand as you do with your right hand. Your opponents should not be able to see a weakness with either hand that you use to dribble a basketball.

    • 4

      Avoid picking up the ball while you are dribbling. Keep dribbling until you know your next move or you know where you are going to pass the ball. Further, if you do pick up your dribble (or stop dribbling), your opponents can trap you or double team you, which increases your chance of making an error or committing a turnover.

    • 5

      Dribble the basketball confidently. If your opponent senses that you are unsure of your dribble, then they will invade your space, guard you more closely and try to force you to commit a turnover.