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As players and coaches, it’s really easy to get into a routine. You find yourself going back to the same drills over and over again because you know they work, and you know how to do them. 

While this isn’t a bad thing, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone every once in a while in order to grow as a basketball player, or a basketball coach. Pushing yourself to learn new drills and implement them in your daily workouts allows for the opportunity to grow in areas you need to improve. 

As basketball players, we’ve been doing the same ball-handling drills our whole lives. Two ball pound, one high one low, figure eight. While these are great drills to tighten up handles, players can get to the point where they need ball handling drills that are a little more challenging. 

Here are four drills for your next ball handling burnout: 

#1 Combo Moves

Creating sequences can spice up simple ball-handling moves while working on speed and tightening up handles. Adding outside factors such as a second ball or being hit with a pad can make the drills more game-like. Check out this drill from NBA trainer Chris Johnson.

Link: Combo Moves

#2 Game Rhythm 

Implementing game rhythm and shiftiness can take simple ball handling and make it more challenging. This key can make drills more game realistic and can translate onto the court.  Check out this rhythm drill from Coach AJ Rompza

Link: Game Rhythm

#3 Pound Dribble

Emphasizing pounding the ball while introducing pressure can help ball control. Doing this simple drill can improve ball handling in more game-like situations. Any player can dribble with no one guarding them, but it gets trickier

when you have a defender up on you poking at the ball. Check out this multi player drill from Pro Personnel Scout for LA Clippers, Dave Severns.

Link: Pound Dribble

#4 Keep Your Dribble Alive 

From the archives, a timeless drill by one of the greats late Don Meyer

This classic drill works on keeping the ball live, keeping your handles tight, and getting out of trouble. One of the worst things to do as a basketball player is picking up the ball when you're being pressured, and not having a plan. This situational drill requires multiple people, but also works on defense at the same time. 

Link: Keep Your Dribble Alive

Include these 4 drills in your next workout to tighten up those handles while working on game-like pressures. 

Always be growing,

-The Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches Helping Coaches