11 Drill Progressions to Improve Ballhandling
and 1v1 Dribbling Moves

Here's a very effective cross-over dribbling progression for intermediate and advanced players. Every move starts with a cross over and the difficulty increases in each progression.

You can do this progression at home, in your driveway, in the garage, or at the gym. You just need 20-30 feet of space and a ball.

This is a snippet of drills taken from the Breakthrough Ballhandling Workouts.

General Instructions

Players will execute a dribble move each time they reach the chair. Set up a chair 15 feet away from you. Dribble at the chair with the designated hand. When you get to the chair, execute the prescribed dribble move. Turn around and repeat.

Keep your eyes up (look forward) on all the dribbling moves.

8 Repetitions for Each Drill

We suggest 8 repetitions for each drill. So there will be a total of 88 repetitions (8 reps X 11 drills), which will take around 10-15 minutes. If desired, you can increase the number of reps for more conditioning and bigger challenge. Or reduce reps to save time.

Note for Coaches: Using in Your Practices

If you want to use this drill in your team practice, line chairs or cones up in the middle of the court and have everyone run the drill at the same time. Practice each move/drill for 20-40 seconds. This is a very efficient way to work on ballhandling (because everyone has a ball in their hands). And it's a great conditioner!

Drill #1 - Retreat Dribble with Cross Over

- Use a hockey stop and protect the ball before you retreat dribble.
- Explode backwards when you retreat (cover distance so you create plenty of space from defender)

Drill #2 - Cross Over (Right To Left)

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on the cross over move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Accelerate when you change direction. You want a quick change of direction and an explosive first step.

Drill #3 - Cross Over (Left To Right)

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on the cross over move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Accelerate when you change direction. You want a quick change of direction and an explosive first step.

Drill #4 - Cross Over / Through Legs (Right)

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on the cross over move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball. Sell the fake.

Drill #5 - Cross Over / Through Legs (Left)

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on the cross over move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball. Sell the fake.

Drill #6 - Cross Over / Behind Back (Right)

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball. Sell the fake.

Drill #7 - Cross Over / Behind Back (Left)

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball. Sell the fake.

Drill #8 - Cross Over / Through Legs / Behind Back

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball - improve your hand speed.

Drill #9 - Cross Over / Behind Back / Through Legs

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball - improve your hand speed.

Drill #10 - Cross Over / Through Legs / Through Legs

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball - improve your hand speed

Drill #11 - Cross Over / Cross Over / Through Legs

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast)
- Snap the ball - improve your hand speed.

If you'd like more ballhandling and footwork drills that you can do at home or the gym, check out the Breakthrough Ballhandling Workouts App.