5 Ways You Can Improve Your Handles
1. Carry the basketball everywhere. Plain and simple. That’s what I did! I’d take the basketball to class, lunch, the library, and more. The basketball became an extension of my body! My friends would say, here comes Pat with that ball, lol. I do a lot of traveling nowadays, and even on the road I make sure I pack my basketball. Sometimes if I’m bored in the hotel, I’ll go downstairs to the fitness room and do some stationary ball-handling drills. I definitely credit always having the ball in my hand for my ability to dribble with ease.
2. Play invisible basketball. Yup, you read it correctly. Any real hooper plays invisible basketball at least 2-3 times a day. What is invisible basketball? It’s when you are in a public place pretending you have a basketball in your hand working on your moves! I admit, I do it all the time. Truth be told some of my most innovative moves have been invented while playing invisible basketball. The challenge is once you visualize the move and try it out with your imagination, you can then began the difficult task of making it come to life when you are finally able to physically get the “real” basketball in your hands!
3. Dribble objects other than a basketball. Tennis ball, racket ball, or even a medicine ball. These are all a part of my daily regimen. If you can handle some of these other objects, then handling a basketball will be that much easier. Some times I might dribble one tennis ball and one basketball at the same time. Or perhaps, keep the medicine ball bouncing in my right hand, while rotating two basketballs with my left hand. Be creative and mix it up. I guarantee you will eventually have the ball on a string!
4. Dribble with your eyes closed. If you can learn to dribble with your eyes closed imagine how it easy it will be with yours eyes open! The truth is we all have the tendacy to look at the ball when we dribble, so take away your sight while practicing and the problem will be fixed. You could also use a blind fold or dribble goggles. One of my favorite players, NBA All-Star Steve Francis told me this secret, dribble with your eyes closed! I tried it and the rest is history!
5. Use multiple basketballs. If you can dribble two basketballs with ease, imagine how easy it will be in the game to dribble one! This truly builds confidence and swag on the court. The reason I am able to handle and do what I want with the basketball is because this is how I train. When 2 basketballs became too easy, I started using three. When three became too easy, I started using four! Try it out, it works!
There you have it! 5 Ways You Can Improve Your Handles and keep that ball on a string!
