How to Properly Dribble a Basketball

Knowing how to properly dribble a basketball is the most fundamental skill that’s needed to play the sport. During a game, the player holding the ball is not allowed to move both of his feet without dribbling the ball first. Those who don’t master this ability have much less control over the ball while moving down the court, making it easier for players on the other team to steal it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
2. Bend one arm at the elbow in front of you with your palm facing up.
3. Balance a fully inflated basketball in the palm of your hand.
4. Flip your hand over so the ball falls directly to the ground in front of you.
5. Bend both your wrist and your elbow when the ball bounces up to meet your hand and push it back toward the ground being careful to only touch the ball with your fingertips.
6. Repeat step five again and again until you get the hang of it.

Tips & Warnings

• The palm of your hand should never touch the basketball when you’re dribbling.
• When learning how to dribble a basketball, it’s best to practice with the hand you favor—the one you write with. When you feel comfortable dribbling the ball with that hand, try switching to the other one.
• It’s best to practice dribbling in a gym or on concrete, asphalt or another type of hard surface.
• Be aware of your feet while dribbling because if you bounce the ball off one of them, it will go flying away from you.
• Practice makes perfect!