Three Great Two-Ball Dribbling Drills For Basketball Development

• By Grant Young

Two-ball basic basketball dribbling drills work well because the player can work on both hands at the same time, which will help to maximize basketball training time and also force the player to develop their weak hand. 

Many youth basketball players have a bad habit of always transferring the basketball to their strong hand when they get in trouble during the games. While this may be all right at the game’s lower levels, this bad habit will cause problems as the player continues to progress, which is another great benefit to two-ball drills.   

Another reason that two ball dribbling drills are good, is because the extra ball puts added difficulty on the move or the drill. The thinking behind this is to make the move more difficult than it would be in a game with only one basketball. That way. when the player does the same move in a game it will be much easier for them to do. 

The more time a player spends on dribbling with both hands, the more comfortable that player will be with this maneuver, which will allow them can focus on seeing the floor and making the right play to help their team win. 

BasketballHQ's ‘Two Ball Workout’ is directed by Kyle Ohman, who played college basketball at Liberty University before playing professional basketball in Spain. 

While these drills will teach you the basics of two-ball workouts like making sure that you are keeping your dribble tight, staying in an athletic stance, and keeping your eyes up to see the floor, it also explains more nuanced aspects that will allow those doing the drills to get a level up on their competition. 

Crossover Hold 2 Basketball Dribbling Drill

One of the most popular drills that BasketballHQ offers in this course is called the Crossover Hold 2 Basketball Dribbling Drill. 

The player will start in a low and athletic position. They’ll have one ball that they’re holding (or cradling) in one hand while they cross another ball over with their other hand. As the crossover is made, the player will quickly switch the cradled ball over to the other hand while receiving the dribble with their hand that just became vacant. They’ll then keep this rhythm going, alternating the dribbled ball and the cradled ball between hands with each dribble. 

Coaches will want to make sure that players aren’t cheating by holding the ball up with their legs and stomach, and that they’re truly cradling the ball in their hands. 

Typically this drill lasts between 30 seconds to a minute and is a great drill to help develop hand quickness, ball control, and hand-eye coordination. Players should also be encouraged to snap their crossover as hard as they can. In addition, they should be keeping their eyes up to simulate scanning the floor while a game is underway. 

Figure “8” 2 Basketball Dribbling Drill

Another top drill is what BasketballHQ calls the Figure “8” Basketball Dribbling Drill. This drill has the player start in a low and athletic position and keep a low dribble (around the ankles) with a basketball in each hand. 

From there, they will begin dribbling in a clockwise motion with each hand. Once their right hand gets behind their hips, they will dribble it between their legs. Then they will reach for that ball with their left hand while restarting the dribble their left hand was doing with the right hand. At this point the dribbling will resume in the other direction, going counter-clockwise until the basketballs get to the same point on your left side when the same switch maneuver is made.

Players tend to drop their eyes during this drill (especially when the ball is being dribbled between their legs), so coaches need to watch players’ eyes and make sure they’re remaining up. 

In addition, the dribble between the legs should be a low, pounding dribble rather than a soft dribble. This is going to simulate what an actual dribble will be like in an actual game. Thirty seconds should be a good length of time for this drill. And while it will be difficult for players at first, they’ll quickly begin to notice improvements the more they do it. 

Alternating Windmill 2 Basketball Dribbling Drill

A third drill that BasketballHQ swears by is the Alternating Windmill 2 Basketball Drill. This one will begin with the player in a low and athletic position while they are holding a ball in each hand. From that point, he will begin alternate dribbling each ball between his legs at the same time. 

As with all of the other drills, it’s crucial that the player keep their eyes up while dribbling. In fact, even if the player ends up turning the ball over while their eyes are up, this is a better outcome than if they look down. The player should also be going as hard as they can in this drill for about 30-60 seconds. This drill is great for ball control and hand-eye coordination; both of which will be very beneficial when the games begin.