• Dribbling or ball handling is a fundamental skill in the sport of basketball. Players must be able to run and maneuver while keeping the ball under control and away from opposing players. Poor dribbling skills may give the opposing team more opportunities to steal the ball. A variety of drills are available to improve ball handling skills.
  
  

The Weave

• The weave is a ball handling and passing drill that allows players to train in groups of three. To perform the weave, have players split in to three lines along the out of bounds line behind a hoop and give balls to all the players in the middle line. Have the players begin jogging down the court. The middle player with the ball should dribble two or three times, and then pass the pall to the player on his right. The middle player then runs behind the person who received the pass, and that player dribbles the ball and assumes the middle position. The new middle player then passes the ball to the player on the left, runs behind that player and the left-side player dribbles to the middle. The players continue passing and dribbling in this manner until they reach the other end of the court.
  
  

Cone Drills

• Making sudden changes in movement and avoiding opposing players while dribbling is an essential basketball skill. Cone drills involve dribbling around the outside of cones in a preset pattern as quickly as possible. Stagger cones in a zigzag pattern across the court and have players dribble around the outside of the cones. This basic drill will force players to dribble with both hands dribble up and down the court faster. Building ambidexterity helps a player maintain his dribble by switching hands if a defender attacks one side of the player's body. The configuration of cones can be changed to alter the emphasis of the drill. For instance, a slight zigzag that is close to a straight line will allow players to work at running faster while handling the ball.
  
  

Double Ball Dribble

• The double ball dribble is a drill aimed at increasing coordination with both hands. To do this drill, simply have players take a ball in each hand and dribble from one end of the gym to the other as quickly as possible without losing control of either ball. Because players cannot look at both balls at once, they learn to control the balls by feel.
  
  

Fast Break Sprints

• Fast break sprints help a player run the length of the floor, control the ball and make a layup. If a player steals the ball, his ability to complete the fast break with an open layup depends on him dribbling the length of the court before the defense can retreat into a guarding position. Have players take a ball, dribble down the court at a full sprint and then make a layup. Repeated sprints can also help build cardiovascular endurance.