Three main points to handling are: When a new snake is obtained, give it at least a week to settle into its new environment before handling. Do not handle 48 hours after the snake has been fed. If the snake is not feeding, reduce handling to minimize stress and wait until the snake is eating consistantly to handle.

There are a bunch of threads on this topic(remember the search function at the top of the page) :
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=27692
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=25729
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=25343

Read a few of those.....if you have any more question, feel free to ask