How to Improve Basketball Handling With Figure 8

Ball Handling is an essential skill for every basketball player. This article focuses on a drill that can improve your ball handling. This drill provides great training for ball control and exchanging from one hand to another. It is called "Figure 8" because the ball makes a Figure 8 path between your legs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Basketball

1. Spread your legs a little wider than shoulder width.
2. Get in an athletic position by bending your knees while keeping your back straight.
3. Take the basketball in your left hand and position it in front of your left knee.
4. Place your right hand behind your right knee.
5. Begin by moving the ball with your left hand towards your right hand. As you are doing this, your right hand should be moving towards the center point between your knees.
6. When the ball reaches your right hand, release the left hand. This is the exchange.
7. With the ball in your right hand, move it around the back of your knee and position it in front of your right knee.
8. Duplicate Steps 5 through 7, except you are now going from the right hand to the left hand.
9. Continue the process in a continuous manner for 30 seconds.
10. Reverse the Figure 8 pattern by making the exchange from the back of the legs to the front of the legs. Continue this process for an additional 30 seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you get comfortable with the drill, increase your speed—it is OK to lose the ball—pushing yourself is the best way to improve—unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.
• Keep your head up just like in a game—build your trust for the feel of the basketball in your hands.
• Be sure to remain bent at the knees in an athletic position—if you bend at your back, it could lead to injury.