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Pistol Pete Maravich was a wizard with the basketball and sometimes these drills are called Maravich Drills. The drills can be completed at a very young age and still have value as a player continues in his / her basketball journey. Steph Curry incorporates ballhandlging drills into every pre-game warm-up routine.

Ball Handling Drills

Developing good hand-eye coordination is very important to becoming a good basketball player. So many different aspects of the game require the use of the hands: shooting, passing, rebounding, dribbling, and defense all require the use of the hands.

The following drills were made famous by Pete Maravich and are often called “Maravich drills.” If you are unfamiliar with Pistol Pete or his drills, take a some time to watch the following video. 

The drills can be completed in a short amount of time. If players were interested, a coach could create a progress chart to have the player record their scores on their own. 

The following drills are designed to develop fundamental basketball skills. Improvement should be the ultimate goal. If players practice the fundamentals, they will improve. When they improve, they will succeed. The more they succeed the more they will practice…. and a cycle of success will follow. 

BALLHANDLING SKILLS

Developing good hand-eye coordination is very important to becoming a good basketball player. So many different aspects of the game require the use of the hands: shooting, passing, rebounding, dribbling, and defense all require the use of the hands.

BODY CIRCLES

AROUND THE HEAD

The player begins the drill with the ball in his right hand.  The player then passes the ball behind his head to his left hand.  The player then takes the ball in front of his head and passes the ball to his right hand.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand.

AROUND THE WAIST

The player begins the drill with the ball in his right hand.  The player then passes the ball behind his waist to his left hand.  The player then takes the ball in front of his waist and passes the ball to his right hand.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand.

AROUND THE KNEES

The player begins the drill with the ball in his right hand.  The player then passes the ball behind his knees to his left hand.  The player then takes the ball in front of his knees and passes the ball to his right hand.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand.

HEAD, WAIST, KNEE (Corkscrew)

The player begins the drill with the ball in his right hand.  The player then passes the ball behind his head to his left hand.  The player then takes the ball from his left hand and passes the ball to his right hand which is waiting for the ball at his waist.  The ball is then passed around the waist to his left hand which will then pass it to the right hand which is waiting for the ball at the knee.   He then passes the ball to his left hand which is waiting for the ball on the other side of the knee.  The player then works the ball up to his waist then to his head.  Each time the ball passes the players head he counts one, waist two, knees, three, waist four , head five, etc.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand.

FIGURE EIGHTS

FINGERTIP FIGURE EIGHT

The player begins the drill with legs spread shoulders width apart.  The ball begins in his right hand.  The player then rolls the ball behind his right leg to the front of his left leg to his awaiting left hand.  Once the ball is in the left hand, the player takes the ball around his left leg then rolls it from the back of his left leg to the front of his right leg where his right hand will be waiting.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand, front to back

FIGURE EIGHT

The player begins the drill with legs spread shoulders width apart.  The ball begins in his right hand.  The player then passes the ball behind his right leg to the front of his left leg to his awaiting left hand.  Once the ball is in the left hand, the player takes the ball around his left leg then passes it from the back of his left leg to the front of his right leg where his right hand will be waiting.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand, front to back.

ONE BOUNCE FIGURE EIGHT

The player begins the drill with the ball in his right hand.  The player then bounces the ball from behind his right leg to the front of his left leg.  The player brings the ball from the front of his left leg to the back of his left leg.  He then bounces the ball from the back of his left leg to the front of his right leg.  Repeat the process.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand, going front to back.

TWO BOUNCE FIGURE EIGHT

The player begins the drill with the ball in his right hand.  The player then bounces the ball from behind his right leg between his legs to the front of his left leg.  The player then bounces the ball to the side of his left leg.  He then bounces the ball from the back of his left leg between his legs to the front of his right leg.  He then bounces the ball to the side of his right leg, then bounces the ball between his legs to the front of his left leg.  Repeat the process.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand, going front to back.

SPEED FIGURE EIGHT

The player begins the drill with the ball in either hand.  The player then bounces the ball low to the ground in and out between his legs in the form of a figure eight, remembering to keep the ball as low as possible at all times.  After the player begins to learn the correct form, he can begin to work on developing his speed.  Each time the ball passes the right leg the player counts 1.  Repeat the process.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand,, going front to back.

FLIP

The player begins the drill with the ball held between his legs.  The right hand is placed on front of the ball, while the left hand is behind the legs.  The player then flips the ball in the air switching his hands so the right hand is now behind the ball while the left hand is in front of the ball.  From behind his right leg to the front of his left leg.  Repeat the process.  Each time the player switches the placement of his hands he counts 1, 2, etc.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

FLOP

The player begins the drill with the ball held between his legs with both hands placed in front of the ball.  The player then flips the ball in the air switching his hands so the both hands are now behind the ball.  Repeat the process.  Each time the player switches the placement of his hands he counts 1, 2, etc.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

SPIDER DRILL

The player begins the drill with the ball in his right hand.  The player then bounces the ball from behind his right leg to the front of his left leg.  The player brings the ball from the front of his left leg to the back of his left leg.  He then bounces the ball from the back of his left leg to the front of his right leg.  Repeat the process.  The drill should be executed continuously for 30 seconds for as fast as the player can complete the drill.

RICOCHET/WINDMILL

With legs shoulder width apart, bounce the ball as hard as you can between you legs from the front to the back.  After catching the ball behind your back, bounce the ball over your head and catch it in the front.  The completion[ of this is one repetition.  Repeat the drill.

Opposite direction:  Start with the ball behind you legs bounce it between your legs to the front.  After you catch the ball in front, throw it over your head and catch it behind your back.  This is one repetition.

DOUBLE RICOCHET

With legs shoulder width apart repeat the drill as mentioned above, only instead of throwing the ball over you head, ricochet the ball from front to back, then back top front.

ONE HAND / ONE LEG / ONE BOUNCE

With the legs shoulder width apart, bounce the ball, using only one hand from behind the right leg  to the front of the right leg.  Catch it with one hand, bring it around from the front of the right leg to the back of the right leg, then bounce the ball from the back of the right leg to the front of the right leg.  Try to use only one hand. 

After you have completed the drill start with the ball in front of your right leg and bounce it to the back.  Catch it behind your right leg bring around the right leg to the front then bounce it from in front of the right leg to the back.

Repeat the drill using the left hand and left leg, going from back to front, then front to back.

DOUBLE LEG SINGLE LEG

Start with legs together.  Take the ball clockwise around both legs.  After the ball has been taken around both legs, continue in a clockwise rotation around the right leg.  After once around the right leg, take the ball around both legs.  Now go around your left leg once.  Then bring your feet together and repeat the process.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand.

FINGER TIP SPINS

Start by spinning the ball on your index finger.  As you become more advanced, work in all the fingers as well as the thumb.  Try finger pushups, as the ball is on your finger be creative.

Repeat drill on weak hand.

KNEELING BETWEEN LEGS BOUNCE

Start with your left foot on the ground and right knee on the ground.  Bounce the ball once to the side with your right hand, then bounce the ball between your legs, then bounce it once on the other side, with your left hand.  Bounce the ball between the legs then repeat the drill adding one more bounce to the outside each time.  For example the second time, a player will bounce the ball 2 times with the right hand, bounce the ball between the legs, then bounce it two times with the left hand.  The next time there will be 3 dribbles before the ball is bounced between the legs.

Repeat the drill in the opposite direction, starting with the ball in your left hand.

DRIBBLE SCISSORS

Start with your feet staggered shoulder width apart. Dribble the ball between your legs and switch your legs so your front leg is your back leg and your back leg is your front leg. Try to dribble as many times as you can without losing control.

MOVING BALLHANDLING DRILLS

DRIBBLE WALK

The player walks down the court, street, driveway, bouncing the ball between his legs with each step.  Remember to bounce the ball from the front of the back.  The player then walks backward to the starting point, still dribbling the ball between his legs with each step.

RUNNING FIGURE EIGHTS NO DRIBBLE

The player runs as fast as he can passing the ball between his legs just like a figure eight drill.  The player should move as fast as he can without losing control of the ball.

RUNNING FIGURE EIGHTS

The player runs as fast as he can while dribbling the ball between his legs just like a figure eight speed dribble drill.  The player should move as fast as he can without losing control of the ball.

DRIBBLE MOVES

The following moves are ones which a player should feel comfortable executing in games and should practice during the off-season.  Each of these moves should be executes and the player should finish the drill by finishing with a power layup, or a jump shot.  The player should alternate days.  One day should be for layups, while the next should be for jump shots.

Crossover – The player dribbles up to the defender with the ball in his right hand.  The player should plant his right foot, then quickly dribble the ball BACK to his left hand then proceed to the basket.  A common error many players have when executing the crossover move is that they do not bring the ball back, exposing the ball to the defender.  Be sure to dribble the ball BACK to the awaiting hand. 

Repeat the drill using the left hand.

Double crossover –  The move is executed the same as the crossover, only now when the defender over-reacts to the first crossover dribble, he quickly executes the second crossover dribble and goes by the defender.

Repeat the drill using the left hand.

Stutter step – Dribble up to the defender, use a hesitation dribble, moving your feet in a stuttering foot fire motion.  This is done to have the defender relax.  Once the defender relaxes, explode by him to the basket.

Stutter step crossover – execute a stutter step as mentioned above.  After your stutter step move, execute a quick crossover dribble.  Remember to bring the ball back, do not expose the ball to the defender.  After the crossover is executed, drive hard to the basket.  Do not round your cut.

Repeat the drill using the left hand.

Spin dribble – A player dribbles with the ball in his right hand, he plants his left foot directly in the middle of the defender.  Keeping the ball in his right hand, he pivots off his lead foot (left), and throws the ball and his right shoulder to the left making a 180 degree turn.  After the spin is complete he switches the dribble to his left hand and continues past the defender.

Common errors when executing this drill are switching to the opposite hand to soon, and not pushing the ball in front on the spin move.

Repeat the drill using the left hand.

Half spin dribble – Execute this move as if completing a spin dribble, only do not switch the ball to the opposite hand, and only pivot half way around, or only 90 degrees.  After the half spin is completed continue on with dribble.

Repeat the drill using the left hand.

Between the legs – this dribble should be utilized to make a move to the basket, as all dribble moves should be.  It is not supposed to be used to show off.  With the ball in the right hand dribble directly at the defender, planting your left foot directly in the middle of the defender’s defensive stance.  Then dribble the ball between your legs to your left hand.  After the transfer has been made, cross your right foot over your left foot, so that your right foot is now past the defenders foot, push off your left foot, and rub your right shoulder against the defenders hip as you go passed him.

Be sure to explode straight to the basket, a common mistake is a player will execute and excellent between the legs dribble, but will round his cut, and give the defender enough time to react to the move.

Repeat the drill using the left hand.

Between the legs crossover –  Execute a between the legs dribble, now pretend the defender has over reacted to the crossover move, now, execute a quick crossover dribble back to your right hand.  Remember to bring the ball back, do not expose the ball to the defender.  After the crossover is executed, drive hard to the basket.  Do not round your cut.

Repeat the drill using the left hand.

Behind the back

1. Ballhandling drills

2. Dribble series

I. DRIBBLE MOVES

The following moves are ones which a player should feel comfortable executing in games and should practice during the off-season. 

1. Crossover (front to back always)

2. Double crossover

3. Stutter step, Stop and Go

4. Stutter step crossover

5. Spin dribble

6. Half spin dribble

7. Between the legs

8. Between the legs – crossover

9. Behind the back

II. BALLHANDLING DRILLS

1. AROUND THE HEAD

2. AROUND THE WAIST

3. AROUND THE KNEES

4. HEAD, WAIST, KNEE

5. FIGURE EIGHT

6. ONE BOUNCE FIGURE EIGHT

7. TWO BOUNCE FIGURE EIGHT

8. SPEED FIGURE EIGHT

9. FLIP

10. FLOP

11. SPIDER DRILL

12. RICOCHET/WINDMILL

13. DOUBLE RICOCHET

14. ONE HAND / ONE LEG / ONE BOUNCE

15. DOUBLE LEG SINGLE LEG

16. FINGER TIP SPINS

17. KNEELING BETWEEN LEGS BOUNCE (from 1 to 10)

DRIBBLE SCISSORS

Start with your feet staggered shoulder width apart. Dribble the ball between your legs and switch your legs so your front leg is your back leg and your back leg is your front leg. Try to dribble as many times as you can without losing control.

MOVING BALLHANDLING DRILLS

DRIBBLE WALK

The player walks down the court, street, driveway, bouncing the ball between his legs with each step.  Remember to bounce the ball from the front of the back.  The player then walks backward to the starting point, still dribbling the ball between his legs with each step.

RUNNING FIGURE EIGHTS NO DRIBBLE

The player runs as fast as he can passing the ball between his legs just like a figure eight drill.  The player should move as fast as he can without losing control of the ball.

RUNNING FIGURE EIGHTS

The player runs as fast as he can while dribbling the ball between his legs just like a figure eight speed dribble drill.  The player should move as fast as he can without losing control of the ball.