A basketball or similar ball (kickball, soccer ball, etc.)

10 minutes

Speed and stability of the spin are your allies

Keep your knees bend to lean with balance

Don't show this trick off in the living room

2torial #0532: Learn2 Spin a Basketball Globetrotter Wannabe? No matter how many 2torials you read, you might never be able to hit a home run in the World Series or slam a football through the goal posts after the winning Super Bowl touchdown. But of all the skills of athletic coordination, spinning a basketball is one of the showiest and easiest to learn. And this skill translates into other realms: if you've ever learned to spin a pizza or throw a spiral, you've got a head start. Find a place where a bouncing ball will not upset anyone or anything. Stand up with your weight balanced evenly on each leg. Ready to spin? Think fast. Think stable. Think SPIN! Use your hands   It doesn't matter which direction you spin the ball: choose the way that feels most comfortable to you. Keep in mind it's your fingertips, not your palms, that really do the spinning.   Hold the ball about a foot and a half in front of your face, with your arms bent at a 90 degree angle, and one hand on either side of the ball. You may want to bring one hand closer to you and put one further away for better spinning. Start spinning Now throw the ball up with one quick snap of the wrists, rotating your hands. Cross one arm over the other and follow through with your fingers pointing in opposite directions.   Get used to spinning the ball (about 2 feet in the air) a few times and letting it drop, just to get up your speed and steadiness.   Speed is the most important factor in the spin. A spinning top is simply a top with a vigorous twist, and will stay in place when rotated with force. With that in mind, spin it a few more times - still letting it drop right below - by increasing the opposing force with your hands. Lift a finger Now, when you spin the ball, don't let it drop. Instead, quickly slip your stiff index fingertip under the spinning ball. Don't worry about finding the grooves of the ball, and don't throw the ball up into the air--it will be tough to catch. Just let the momentum of the spin perpetuate itself, and place your fingertip at the ball's axis.   If you have balanced the spinning ball for just a second, you have succeeded. Practice and patience will do the rest. -end- Learn More!