Ball Handling 2

Here is something else we like to do here to improve our Ball Handling skills. This is also a great warm up activity and can be adapted to all ages.

Everyone has a ball - (kids) handball size for toddlers to chest size for larger preschoolers.

Do this at the same time so that it can be modeled by the little ones.

1. Seated, legs crossed. Roll the ball on the floor around the body. Use the words Clockwise around the body, then anti-clockwise.

2. Remain seated. Roll the ball on the body, around the waist. Clockwise, then anti-clockwise.

3. Still seated but with legs extended. Roll the ball on the legs all the way out to your feet, then back towards the chest. Roll the ball up to neck, up over the face, over the top of the head and then back down the same way.

4. Stand in 'Star' shape, keep legs in position but use your hands to move the ball on the floor between the legs. Roll from the front to behind legs, reach around to collect the ball, repeat but reach around to the other side.

5. Remain in the same position. Roll the ball on the floor around one leg, then the other. The Ball should make the shape of the number '8'. Repeat in opposite directions.

Provide opportunities for the little ones to make suggestions and include them in the session. Anything that encourages movement of the ball around the body. Take the opportunity to use and explain the correct terminology - words in italics in the above points.

Use time to track progress. Suggest challenges; Can you do this without stopping once started? Can you do this without dropping or slipping?

Certainly this could be done to music or whilst singing a song...but allow for it to be spontaneous.

Intersperse the above with some fun tricks...IE.Try to balance the ball on the head? Balance the ball on the crook of the ankle, Spin the ball on the tip of finger?

After each skill, I like to take a shot at the indoor hoop and the kids get to slam dunk their balls. This is followed by a triumphant lap of the lounge room.


All of the above skills and tricks are done to improve ball handling, finger and hand strength and to increase confidence and competence with the ball.

Don't be too surprised when you catch then practising the above on their own accord.