Kristian Ferrell
The behind-the-back dribble is an advanced basketball move that can be used to great effect when an offensive player wants to dribble while near a defender. It involves dribbling the ball with one hand behind the back and then catching it with the opposite hand. This move requires a low stance with a wide base and good control over the ball. It is also important to keep your head up and eyes forward, looking ahead rather than down at the ball. While it takes practice to master, the behind-the-back dribble is a useful skill to have as it can be used to change direction and confuse defenders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stance | Low, defensive stance with feet shoulder-width apart. |
| Body Position | Keep your head up, shoulders square, and back straight. |
| Ball Control | Use fingertips, not palms, for better control. Avoid using too much arm strength. |
| Dribbling Action | Move the ball from one hand to the other behind your back. |
| Hand Placement | Keep your hand on the outside of the ball and push it off the floor towards the other hand in a straight line. |
| Drills | Practice dribbling under the legs, alternating hands, to improve hand-eye coordination and wrist action. |
| Speed | Dribble with quick, short bounces to change direction and create separation from defenders. |
| Court Position | Use when near the baseline or in the corner to create scoring opportunities. |
| Variations | The "Wrap" emphasizes control and fluidity, while the "Drop" focuses on changing direction. |
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What You'll Learn
Getting into a low stance
Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, creating a stable base. This width provides balance and prevents you from being off-balance, especially when dribbling at top speed. A wider stance also helps you get low, which is essential for maintaining control of the ball and protecting it from defenders.
Bend your knees and drop your hips back slightly as if you were about to sit in a chair. This hip movement is crucial for achieving the desired low stance. It lowers your centre of gravity and helps you stay agile and mobile while also protecting the ball. Avoid bending at the waist, as it can be harmful to your back and makes you more prone to stumbling forward.
Keep your head up and shoulders square. Maintaining an upright upper body posture helps you keep your eyes forward and avoid looking down at the basketball. This head and shoulder position allows you to scan the court and assess both your teammates and defenders' positions. It also helps you maintain balance and protects the ball by keeping your body between defenders and the ball.
The low stance is advantageous because it reduces the distance the ball has to travel when dribbling behind your back. This reduced distance gives defenders less time to react and try to steal the ball from you. It also enables you to change directions quickly and protects the ball, making it more challenging for defenders to reach across your body to get to it.
Practising drills, such as rolling the basketball back and forth, can help you get comfortable with the low stance. These drills teach you to feel and understand the importance of maintaining a low position while dribbling. Additionally, practising keeping your head up and eyes forward during these drills will improve your hand-eye coordination and overall dribbling skills.
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Hand and arm placement
To perform a behind-the-back dribble, it is important to start with a good stance. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and drop your hips back slightly. Keep your head up, shoulders square, and back straight. This position protects the ball while giving you mobility.
Now, onto the hand and arm placement. When dribbling, touch the ball with your fingertips, not your palm. This gives you good control without using too much arm strength. When you want to initiate the behind-the-back dribble, your hand needs to be on the outside part of the ball, pushed behind your back and off the floor in a straight line towards your other hand. Avoid placing your arm on top of the basketball, as this will not create a good angle for the ball to bounce to the other hand. Keep your body between defenders and the ball, and never dribble on the same side of your body as the defender.
The behind-the-back dribble is a type of crossover dribble, where the ball moves from one hand to the other behind the player's back. It is often used by perimeter-oriented players such as point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards. This move allows players to change direction quickly and confuse their defender.
To practice hand placement, you can try dribbling the ball under your legs and catching it with the opposite hand. This drill helps improve hand-eye coordination and wrist action. Remember to keep your head up and eyes forward as much as possible during these drills.
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Drills for beginners
Before attempting to dribble behind the back, it is important to master the basics of dribbling and develop a good technique. A fundamental drill for beginners involves lining up players on the baseline with each player holding a basketball. The coach then instructs the players to dribble up to either the half-court line or full court, performing a specific dribble movement. This teaches the basics of dribbling and allows players to practice different moves without becoming overwhelmed.
Another simple drill to teach dribbling basics is partner passing. Players pair up and share a single basketball, standing on a line parallel to each other. The coach instructs them to perform different types of passes, such as bounce passes or chest passes, and the pairs pass the ball back and forth to each other. The coach can increase the difficulty by changing the type of pass or increasing the distance between partners.
Once players have mastered the basics of dribbling and passing, they can begin to work on more advanced dribbling techniques, such as dribbling between the legs and behind the back. To dribble behind the back, players must assume a low, defensive stance with their feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent. The ball should be dribbled with one arm, and to initiate the behind-the-back dribble, the hand should be on the outside part of the ball, pushed behind the back and off the floor in a straight line towards the other hand. This drill can be practiced individually or in combination with other dribble moves to improve ball handling and control.
For a more challenging drill, players can attempt the figure 8 drill, which involves dribbling the ball between the legs in a figure 8 pattern while taking a wide stance. This improves hand speed and ball control while enhancing coordination. It is important to start slow and gradually increase speed to perfect this drill.
Finally, players can practice dribbling in open court and near defenders. When in open court, players can dribble the ball in front of them. However, when near defenders, it is important to dribble to the side, assuming a low stance to protect the ball and make it more difficult for the defender to steal.
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When to use the move in a game
The behind-the-back dribble is an advanced basketball move that can be used by offensive players to create opportunities for scoring or playmaking near the basket or the perimeter areas of the court. It is particularly useful when the offensive player is adjacent to a deep corner or near a baseline. In these situations, the behind-the-back dribble can be used to counter the actions of an on-ball defender, creating separation and buying time to take a shot, drive to the basket, or pass to a teammate.
For example, if an offensive player is dribbling the ball near the right-side wing with an on-ball defender covering them, they can execute a right-to-left standard crossover dribble followed by a left-handed drive. However, if the on-ball defender cuts off the driving lane, the offensive player can quickly counter with a right-to-left behind-the-back dribble. This move will create separation between the offensive player and the defender, allowing the offensive player to take a jump shot before the defender can fully recover.
Another scenario where the behind-the-back dribble can be effective is when an offensive player is dribbling the ball into the frontcourt while being guarded by an aggressive on-ball defender. If the defender reaches in to steal the ball, the offensive player can execute a left-to-right behind-the-back dribble as a counter, again creating separation and buying time to take a shot or make a pass.
It's important to note that the behind-the-back dribble should be used sparingly and only in the right situations. If used too frequently or at the wrong time, it can be predictable and easily defended. Additionally, it requires a lot of practice to perfect, and players should be comfortable with basic dribbling techniques and stances before attempting this advanced move in a live game situation.
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The wrap vs. the drop
The wrap and the drop are two distinct techniques of performing a behind-the-back dribble in basketball. The wrap involves smoothly wrapping the ball around the body from one side to the other behind the back, showcasing the player's dexterity, control, and agility. This move is best used when a defensive player is approaching head-on, allowing the ball-handler to keep moving in a straight line and showcasing the player's dexterity and control.
On the other hand, the drop is a variation of the behind-the-back crossover move. It involves dribbling the ball behind the back in a quick and seamless motion, enabling rapid direction changes and confusing defenders. The drop is particularly effective when a defensive player approaches out of nowhere, forcing the ball-handler to change directions. The drop is safer than a front crossover as the defender cannot easily steal the ball.
While the wrap emphasizes control and fluidity, the drop focuses on changing direction and creating separation from the defender. Both moves can elevate a player's skill set and add flair to their game. Understanding when to use each technique can significantly impact performance and keep opponents guessing.
To master the behind-the-back dribble, players should focus on rhythm and timing, ensuring that the basketball hits the floor simultaneously as their feet. This makes it harder for defenders to see the ball and predict the next move. Additionally, maintaining a low stance minimizes the distance the ball travels, reducing the defender's reaction time.
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Frequently asked questions
A behind-the-back dribble is a basketball move where the ball is moved from one hand to the other behind the player's back. It is a type of crossover dribble that can be used to change direction and create separation from a defender.
It is recommended to practice a progression drill where you dribble the ball under your legs and catch it with the opposite hand. This helps improve hand-eye coordination and wrist action, making it easier to dribble behind the back. It is also important to keep your head up and eyes forward when practicing this move.
A behind-the-back dribble can be useful when an offensive player wants to dribble near a deep corner or baseline. It can also be used to change direction and confuse a defender, especially when trying to attack the basket.
