5 Steph Curry dribbling drills to develop a better handle of the ball

Basketball players that can to get to various spots on the court are highly more likely to get to their baskets much easier. Here's 5 sure fire drills that'll help get you to that elite ball handling level that's needed for all great basketball players.

Basketball is a game of skills and in order to succeed you need to spend time refining those skills by practicing. If you've got a ball, you can practice.

Perseverance In Basketball

Basketball isn't just a sport. It is an art, one that must be mastered to succeed - Stephen Curry

In our Live Long Basketball program we always encourage all our players to spend time at home working on refining their skills. Players that can complete the five drills below, 3x a week will develop a much better handle of the ball within 3 weeks.

1st Drill - Full Control Dribbles |1st ball up-down, 2nd ball forward-backwards Switch. Repeat

As Stephen Curry demonstrates in the above video, start this drill by dribbling both basketballs simultaneously up and down. Next, with the your left handed dribble start to dribble the ball backwards & forwards instead of dribbling up & down. At the same time with your right handed dribble continue to dribble the ball up & down. Complete this for 30 dribbles. Rest for 30 seconds. Switch the dribbles with opposite hands & repeat. This is 1 set. Complete 4 Sets.

If you are new to basketball or new to developing your dribbling skills and can't dribble well enough to do 2 separate movements with separate dribbles, you can start by mastering the dribble up & down first with both hands at the same time. Complete 4 sets of 60 dribbles up and down.

2nd Drill - Through The Legs Speedy Double Crossover

To start this drill stand with your legs slightly more than shoulder width apart. Pound your first dribble straight down with your left hand then slightly shift your core to the right and direct the dribble under your right leg, sending the ball to your right hand. When you feel the ball on the finger tips of your right hand quickly shift your core slightly to the left and direct the ball around your right leg to under your left leg sending the ball to your left hand. Once you get the ball on your left hand pound your next dribble in front of your left leg, straight down back at your starting point. This is 1 set. Complete 15 sets.

3rd Drill - Concentrated Right & Left Handed Dribbles

Start this drill by standing with your legs slightly more than shoulder width apart. Pound your first left dribble straight down with your left hand. When your dribble hits the ground pound your first right dribble with your right hand straight down. This is 1 set. Complete 30 sets.

4th Drill - Focused Figure Eights

This drill is tough to develop but will be your top skill and very helpful in game-like situations when you are able to perfect it. Start it off by standing with your legs slightly more than shoulder width apart. Pound your first right dribble straight down with your right hand. Continue to dribble the ball up and down for the entirety of this drill with your right hand. Now that you're dribbling with your right hand, slowly start your first left handed dribble with medium pressure in front of your left leg, then slowly take 4 more dribbles slowly dribbling the ball around your left leg and back to the starting point. Once you arrive at your starting point of your left handed dribble, in front of your left leg you will have completed 1 set. Complete 30 sets.

5th Drill - Crossover Dribble Package

The Crossover Dribble Package is the top drill for the great ball handlers. Start this drill the same way as the previous drills with your legs slightly more wide than shoulder width apart. Start with a swing dribble with your left hand to the right side of your body and back to your left hand. Then transition into a straight forward crossover to your right hand. When you feel the ball in your right hand quickly send the dribble under your left leg to your left hand. Transition into a behind the back dribble from your left hand to your right hand. As you get the ball on your right hand direct the ball to the front of your right leg and pound dribble straight down. Next, swing dribble with your right hand to the left side of your body and back to your right hand. Then transition into a forward crossover to your left hand. When you feel the ball in your left hand quickly send the dribble under your right leg to your right hand. Transition into a behind the back dribble from your right hand to your left hand. As you get the ball on your left hand direct the ball to the front your left leg and pound dribble straight down. This is 1 set. Complete 15 Sets.

There you have it. If you can do these 5 drills 3 times a week you will be a significantly better ball handler. Take control of your ball handling, go get your ball and start right now. Train. Compete. Win.