Dribble. Drive. Dominate: Ball Handling Clinic
Our West Ottawa Basketball Skills Clinics are back this month, and we’re putting the spotlight on ball handling! This high-energy clinic is open to all players in our Recreation and Competitive Programs who are registered for the 2025-26 season.
Meet the Instructor: Bill Arden
With over four decades of continuous coaching experience, Bill Arden has been a cornerstone of the Ottawa basketball community — developing players, building programs and contributing to the sport at every level from grassroots to university competition. A former standout player at Ridgemont High School (1982–1987) and the University of Ottawa (1987–1989), Bill transitioned seamlessly into coaching, marking the beginning of what has become an extraordinary 43-year coaching career. Over that time, he has coached high school basketball every single year, capturing nine city championships across multiple levels, and earning a reputation for his ability to develop young athletes both on and off the court. At the post-secondary level, Bill spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the University of Ottawa men’s basketball team, followed by eight years on staff with the Carleton University men’s basketball program, where he contributed to five National Championships during one of the most dominant eras in Canadian university basketball.
U12 and Under Clinic (Ages 11 and Younger)
Get ready to master the basics while having a blast! This clinic is packed with fun games and activities to help young players build confidence and sharpen their ball-handling skills. We’ll use exciting age appropriate drills and small-sided games to keep it fun and enable players to apply their skills in game situations.
Here's what to expect:
Here's what to expect:
- Dribble with both hands while staying in control, even under defensive pressure.
- Keep your head up to improve court awareness.
- Nail the crossover dribble and learn how to protect the ball.
- Develop a solid stance to stay balanced and strong with the ball.
U14 and Older Clinic (Ages 12 and Up)
Ready to take your dribbling to the next level? This clinic is designed to build foundational skills while introducing advanced techniques to help you dominate on the court.
Here's what we will be working on:
Here's what we will be working on:
- Create separation and attack defenders with moves like the crossover, glide, in-and-out, and hesitation dribble.
- Master the retreat dribble to protect the ball under pressure.
- Practice game-like scenarios with 3v3 and 4v4 games, so you’re ready to shine when it counts.