Player-inspired guide

Steph Curry-inspired ball handling drills

Stephen Curry’s handle is famous for one thing above all: it creates shots. He doesn’t dribble for show. These drills are inspired by the publicly known parts of his style, so you can borrow the ideas and build them into your own game.

Before you start

This page describes widely known, general traits of Curry’s game as seen in games and widely shared pregame warm-ups. It is not his actual training program, and the drills below are our own. Handles AI is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors or the NBA.

What makes Curry’s handle stand out

• The two-ball pregame routine. His warm-up dribbling with two basketballs at once is one of the best-known pregame routines in the sport, and it is a big reason two-ball work became so popular.
• Handle in service of the shot. His dribble moves are built to create just enough space to shoot, often off a step-back or a quick change of direction.
• Relaxed, quick hands. His dribble looks loose and rhythmic, with lots of crossovers and between-the-legs and behind-the-back combinations strung together.
• Range off the dribble. Because he can shoot from deep, defenders have to guard him far from the basket, which opens up drives.
• Constant movement. He is famous for moving without the ball and staying ready to catch and shoot or catch and attack.

You don’t need his shooting range to learn from this. The core idea, that every dribble should set up something, applies to every player.

Drill 1: Two-ball warm-up

Inspired by his well-known pregame two-ball routine. Do this for five minutes before any session.

1. Pound both balls together at knee height for 30 seconds.
2. Alternate the balls for 30 seconds.
3. One ball high, one ball low, then switch.
4. Both balls side to side in front of you, each staying on its own side, for 30 seconds.
5. Both balls between the legs, one hand at a time, then together.
6. Walk forward and back while pounding both balls.

Keep your eyes up the whole time. If you lose a ball, pick it up and keep going. Full breakdown in two-ball dribbling and a longer routine in the two-ball dribbling workout.

Drill 2: Stationary combo chains

String moves together without stopping: crossover, between the legs, behind the back, then back again. The goal is rhythm, not speed. Keep the ball low and your hands relaxed.

• Cross, between, behind, repeat for 30 seconds.
• Between, between, cross, repeat for 30 seconds.
• Behind, cross, between, repeat for 30 seconds.

Once a chain feels smooth, do it with your eyes on a target on the wall.

Drill 3: Combo into a pull-up

This is the heart of a Curry-style handle: dribble moves that end in a shot. Start just inside the three-point line.

1. Do two moves in rhythm, for example cross then between the legs.
2. On the last dribble, step into your shot and rise.
3. Make five, then switch to a different two-move combo.

Without a hoop, finish each combo by gathering the ball into your shooting pocket with your feet set. The habit you want is a quick, balanced gather out of the dribble.

Drill 4: Step-back for space

Attack a cone with two hard dribbles, plant your front foot, and push back into space on the final dribble, landing balanced and ready to shoot. Do it going right and going left. See step-back for technique, and know the traveling rules so it stays legal.

Drill 5: Retreat and re-attack

Drive two dribbles, retreat two dribbles to pull the defender with you, then attack again or rise for a shot. Retreating to reset is a big part of creating space against long defenders. See retreat dribble.

Drill 6: Tennis ball and reaction work

Dribble one basketball while tossing and catching a tennis ball with the other hand. It builds the relaxed, independent hand control that makes combo chains possible. See tennis ball dribbling. Then finish with a minute of called moves, reacting to each call as fast as you can.

A 20-minute Curry-inspired session

Don’t just copy the moves

The trap with player-inspired drills is copying the look without the foundation. Curry’s combos work because his basic dribble is low, controlled and the same with either hand. If your crossover is still high and slow, start with how to improve ball handling and come back to these.

Training this style with Handles AI

Handles AI can call the moves for your combo chains. Coach Ace calls crossovers, between the legs, behind the back and more out loud in real time, and Combo Lab strings them together. Each rep is graded Clean, Nice work, or Next rep, and Creativity is one of the six ratings in your Ball Handler Score.

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