Ball-handling drill

Full court dribbling drills

Full court dribbling drills take your handle from standing still to running the length of the floor. They train speed, change of pace and moves at game tempo, with your lungs burning the way they do late in a game.

What is the full-court dribbling drill?

Full court dribbling drills are any drills where you dribble baseline to baseline. They range from simple speed lanes, where you push the ball as fast as you can, to move drills, where you make a specific move at each line on the floor: the free-throw line, half court, the far free-throw line and the far baseline.

The court’s markings make a natural course. Most courts have five lines across the floor, so you can plan a move at each one without setting up any cones. You can also use the lanes: right sideline down with your right hand, left sideline back with your left.

These drills add something stationary work cannot: fatigue and speed together. A crossover in place is very different from a crossover at the end of your fourth full-court sprint. Practicing tired helps your handle hold up late in games.

When to use it in a game

In a game, full court handling shows up in transition, when you push after a rebound or steal, and against pressure, when you have to bring the ball up against a defender who is picking you up early. You have a limited time to cross half court, 8 or 10 seconds depending on the level, so you need to move the ball fast and keep it safe.

In training, use full court drills after a stationary warm-up. They are a strong middle block or finisher for guards, and a good conditioning option for any position. See the point guard workout for how they fit into a longer session.

How to do it, step by step

1. Start on the baseline with the ball in your right hand, in a low, ready stance.
2. Speed lane: push the ball out in front with a speed dribble and sprint to the far baseline using as few dribbles as you can.
3. Come back with your left hand, staying in the opposite lane.
4. Change of pace run: jog with a control dribble to the free-throw line, then burst to half court, jog again to the far free-throw line and burst to the baseline.
5. Moves at the lines: make a move at each line, such as a crossover at the free-throw line, between the legs at half court and behind the back at the far free-throw line.
6. After each move, explode for two hard dribbles before settling back into rhythm.
7. Keep your eyes up the whole way, as if you were reading the defense in transition.
8. Walk back or take a short rest between trips so your form stays clean.

Common mistakes

• Too many dribbles at speed. Short, choppy dribbles slow you down. Push the ball out and run onto it.
• No change of pace. Running every trip at one speed teaches defenders nothing. Mix slow and fast so your bursts are real.
• Making moves while sprinting all out. A move at full sprint usually ends in a lost ball. Gather into a control dribble, make the move, then explode.
• Head down in the open floor. In transition the whole point is seeing the court. Keep your eyes up on every trip.
• Only using your strong hand. Defenders force you to your weak side in the full court. Take at least half your trips with your weak hand. See weak-hand dribbling.

Three progressions

1. Dribble count challenge. Speed dribble baseline to baseline and count your dribbles. Lower the count over time while staying in control.
2. Two-ball full court. Dribble two balls up the court, both at the same height, then alternating. Start at a jog. See two-ball dribbling.
3. Live pressure. A partner picks you up at the baseline and pressures you up the floor without fouling. Use change of pace and the moves you practiced to get past half court.

5-minute full-court dribbling drill workout

Run this circuit on a full court with a short walk back between trips. If you only have a half court or a driveway, cut each trip in half and add more of them.

How Handles AI coaches it

Handles AI is built for stationary and small-space work: you prop up your iPhone, step back about 8 feet, and Coach Ace calls moves like speed dribble, hesi, change of pace and crossover. So it complements full court work rather than replacing it. Use it on days when you cannot get to a full court, or to sharpen moves before taking them up the floor.

Speed Burn mode is the best match for the tempo of full court drills, and your Speed and Control ratings show whether your hands are getting faster without getting sloppy.

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