I started spinning a basketball on my finger when I was about 10 years old. I would always watch the Harlem Globe Trotters on TV spinning all the time and playing with the crowd. Seeing this spurred me to learn how to accomplish this magnificent feat.
This is how you do it:
Step 1: Find the right basketball
The first step is to find a size 28.5 or 29.5 grippy leather basketball. This will allow you to grip the ball better and it will be easier to control than with other types of basketball.
Step 2: Body Positioning
The second step is to find your strong hand and spread your fingers as far as possible and turn your hand palm up. While your hand and fingers are ready, make sure you are standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Step 3: Placement of the hand and the laces
The third step is to hold the basketball on the tips of all five fingers with the basketball logo facing outward. If the ball is facing out, all the laces should come together at the bottom of the ball where the fingers meet.
Step 4: Spin the ball and cover it again
My technique is different from most people. When the laces are at your fingertips, close the wrist of your strong hand (my right hand) inward for a corking motion. Once covered, you are ready for the next step.
Step 5: The actual spin of the ball
As you begin to uncork your wrist, toss the ball about five inches into the air as it is released from your hand. This will make the ball have a fast and perfect spin movement. As the ball is coming down, really stretch out your index finger (either finger) and catch the spinning ball.
Step 6: Keep the ball spinning
As you catch the spinning ball, make sure to keep your finger very straight. You can spin the ball on your fingertip or on your fingernail, whichever is more comfortable for you. The ball should keep spinning on its own for about 6-15 seconds depending on your balance and the spin speed of the cork. If you want to keep the ball spinning longer, use your left hand (the one that doesn’t spin the ball) and hit the side of the ball. This should spin the ball faster and keep it moving. Make sure you don’t hit too hard or the ball will fall off your finger.
Step 7: Different things/body parts to spin the ball
Once you get good at spinning a basketball on your finger (this can take years), you can move on to more complicated maneuvers. You can spin the ball on your fingertips, fingernails, knuckles, and even a pen or pencil. To accomplish this feat, the spinner must be very nice and still. In addition to spinning on different items, you can also spin different balls such as soccer balls, soccer balls, and medicine balls.
Now that you know how to spin a basketball on your finger, go out and give it a try. Once you start it’s hard to stop. It is such a fun and pleasurable thing to brag to your friends.
Best of luck
