How to Improve Basketball Handling With Ball Slaps

Ball Handling is an essential skill for every basketball player. This article focuses on a drill that can improve your ball handling: "Ball Slaps." These improve tactile feel for the basketball. When doing a ball handling drill series, Ball Slaps should be the first drill you perform, as it "wakes up" your hands.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basketball

1. Hold the ball firmly at your chest with both hands.

2. Remove your left hand from the ball while balancing the ball securely in your right hand.

3. Open your left hand and be sure your fingers and thumb are bent.

4. Extend your left hand about 18 inches to the side of the ball.

5. Quickly return your left hand to the ball and slap the ball. Be sure that your fingers and thumbs are making contact with the ball--you should not be slapping with your palms.

6. Balance the ball with your left hand and repeat the process with a right hand slap.

7. Continue this process for 15 to 30 seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are doing it correctly, you should feel a tingle in your fingers. This is a sign that your fingers are "waking up," which will improve your tactile feel for the ball.
• It is OK for beginners to look at the ball while doing this drill. As you advance, you should perform the drill with your eyes up to learn to depend on the feel of the ball and not have to look at it.
• This drill should be done before every game and practice. You should also do these if you have sat out for a while during practice or a game.