Guides

Basketball guides, no fluff.

Plain answers to the questions players and parents ask most, with workouts you can follow. Start with the basics, then pick the guide that matches where your game is today.

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GuideHow to dribble a basketball (beginner’s guide)A beginner's guide to dribbling a basketball: hand position, stance, eyes up, first drills and simple rules, with a 10-minute starter routine.GuideBasketball drills for beginnersBasketball drills for beginners: 12 simple drills for dribbling, shooting, passing and footwork, plus a 30-minute beginner practice plan.GuideBall-handling drills for kidsFun ball-handling drills for kids and beginners: games, simple moves, tips for parents and coaches, and a 10-minute routine.GuideHow to improve your ball handlingHow to improve your ball handling with a simple daily plan: fundamentals, game moves, weak hand, reaction work, and how to track progress.GuideHow to get better at basketballHow to get better at basketball: the skills that matter most, how to split your practice time, a weekly plan, and how to tell you are improving.GuideHow to keep your head up while dribblingStop looking at the ball. Drills and habits to keep your head up while dribbling: wall targets, finger counting, called moves and more.

Fundamentals

GuideHow to dribble lowHow to dribble low in basketball: stance, hand position, how hard to push the ball, common mistakes, and drills that build a low, quick dribble.GuideFingertip control in basketballFingertip control in basketball: why to dribble with your fingertips, not your palm, the right hand position, and drills to build ball feel.GuideHand-eye coordination for basketballBuild hand-eye coordination for basketball with 10 simple drills: tennis balls, wall work, two-ball dribbling and reaction games you can do at home.GuideHow to protect the ball while dribblingHow to protect the ball while dribbling: body position, off-arm use, dribble height and drills to cut turnovers when defenders pressure you.

Level up

GuideHow to improve your weak hand in basketballA step-by-step plan to improve your weak hand in basketball: dribbling drills, weak-hand-only days, layups, and how to measure progress.GuideHow to dribble fasterHow to dribble faster: hand speed, speed dribble form, lower dribbles, change of pace and drills that make you quicker with the ball.GuideHow to break ankles in basketballHow to break ankles in basketball: set up the defender, sell the first move, change direction low and fast, plus the best combos to practice.GuideHow to beat a defender off the dribbleHow to beat a defender off the dribble: read their stance, use change of pace, pick the right move, win the first step and finish the drive.GuideBasketball dribble combosTwelve basketball dribble combos from beginner to advanced, when to use each one, and how to practice combos so they actually work in games.GuideHow to get better handles fastWant better handles fast? Seven habits that speed up progress: daily reps, staying low, eyes up, weak hand, reaction drills and tracking.GuideHow long does it take to get good handles?How long does it take to get good handles? A realistic timeline by stage, what speeds progress up, and how to tell if you are actually improving.

By level and position

GuideBall-handling drills for guardsBall-handling drills for point and shooting guards: pressure, combos, change of pace, reads, weak hand and a 20-minute guard workout.GuideBall handling drills for middle school playersBall handling drills for middle school players: the fundamentals to master at 11 to 14, a weekly plan, team practice ideas and tips for tryouts.GuideBall handling drills for high school playersBall handling drills for high school players: game-speed moves, pressure and press-break work, a weekly plan, and in-season vs off-season training.GuideBasketball tryout tipsBasketball tryout tips that help you stand out: how to prepare in the weeks before, what coaches look for, and what to do on tryout day.

Learn from the pros

GuideSteph Curry-inspired ball handling drillsSteph Curry-inspired ball handling drills: a two-ball warm-up like his pregame routine, handle-to-shot moves, step-backs and constant movement.GuideKyrie Irving-inspired ball handling drillsKyrie Irving-inspired ball handling drills: a low, tight handle with both hands, creative combos, change of pace and finishing at the rim.

Train anywhere

GuideBasketball drills you can do at homeBasketball drills you can do at home in a small space: ball handling, footwork, and conditioning, with a 15-minute routine and noise tips.GuideBasketball drills without a hoopNo hoop? These basketball drills build ball handling, footwork, form and conditioning anywhere. Includes a 20-minute session.GuideHow to practice basketball aloneHow to practice basketball alone: solo drills for dribbling, shooting and footwork, ways to add pressure without a partner, and a weekly solo plan.GuideHow to dribble quietly indoorsPractice ball handling without annoying neighbors: how to dribble quietly indoors, the best surfaces and balls, and no-bounce drills for apartments.Guide30-day ball-handling programA free 30-day ball-handling program: four weekly phases from foundation to game speed, 15 to 20 minutes a day, with tests to track progress.

Dribbling rules

GuideThe double dribble rule in basketballThe double dribble rule explained: what counts as a double dribble, what does not, common examples, how it differs by level, and how to avoid it.GuideCarrying in basketballCarrying in basketball (palming) explained: what the violation looks like, why it gets called, legal versus illegal hand position, and drills to fix it.GuideTraveling in basketballTraveling in basketball explained: pivot foot rules, how many steps you get, the gather step, jump stops, and how rules differ by level.

Training tech

GuideBest basketball training apps for ball handlingAn honest look at basketball training apps for ball handling: Handles AI, HomeCourt, DribbleUp, Kyrie AI and Elete, and how to choose.GuideAI basketball training, explainedHow AI basketball training apps work: camera pose tracking, rep grading, on-device processing, what AI can and cannot judge, and setup tips.

Want to work on one move at a time? Browse the dribbling drills, or look up a term in the glossary.