After the settling in process slowly build up your handling starting at 10-15min when its awake for it to get used to being taken from where it feels safe (keeping it away from your face). As it gets use to you and becomes more active increase the amount of time. If it coils up in a ball or tries to escape you it is probably time to return it to its home. My snake is happy being handled 45-60min per day and generally tries not to go back in it vivarium. When it is out it rarely moves away from me exploring nearby and returning to my warmth fairly often.

When you handle your nippy snake use a flat palm to protect against the strikes it should just bump its nose against it without injury, after a while it will work out the futility of it and stop. Also minimise stress as much as possible using as low light as possible.

I theorise that if you put a shirt you have worn near the cage and leaving for a few day it may get use to your scent and relax. This works for mammals but i've never tried it.