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The between-the-legs dribble is a basketball move typically used by perimeter-oriented players such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. It involves dribbling the ball with one hand between the legs and then catching it with the opposite hand. This move can be effective in diminishing the effectiveness of on-ball defence, particularly in relation to footwork and hand movement. However, it requires a certain amount of space between the offensive player and the defender, and aggressive defensive pressure can make it challenging to execute. To perform the between-the-legs dribble, players should start with a basic dribbling stance, bounce the ball at knee height, and then push it between their legs using their fingertips, before catching it with the opposite hand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of move | Dribble |
| Who uses it | Perimeter-oriented basketball positions such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward |
| Who it affects | On-ball defender |
| Effectiveness | Can diminish the effectiveness of on-ball defense |
| How to do it | Get in a basic dribbling stance with knees slightly bent, head and chest pointed straight ahead; dribble the ball with your dominant hand, keeping it close to your body and bouncing it at knee height; take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot; shift your hand to the side of the ball so your thumb is on top; push the ball between your legs so it bounces underneath you and comes up behind you; move your opposite hand behind you to receive the ball |
| Tips | Keep your fingers spread apart to maximize control; use enough force to bounce the ball at knee height; practice crossovers without looking down before moving on to between-the-legs dribble |
| Variations | Standard form: dribble the ball between the legs with one hand in front of you, then catch the ball with the opposite hand near the leg on the other side of your body; reverse between the legs dribble: dribble the ball between the legs with one hand in front of you, then catch the ball with the same hand near the leg on the same side of your body |
| Limitations | Not highly effective against very aggressive on-ball pressure |
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What You'll Learn
Basic dribbling stance
To perform a between-the-legs dribble, you must first master the basic dribbling stance and get comfortable with the ball.
The basic dribbling stance requires you to bend your knees slightly, with your head and chest pointed straight ahead. Keep your back straight and your legs about shoulder-width apart. This athletic stance helps you stay balanced, especially against potential on-ball defensive pressure.
When dribbling, it is important to keep your head up and your eyes forward. This allows you to survey the court, locate your teammates, and keep an eye on your defender. Practice dribbling with your fingertips, not your entire hand. This gives you more precise control over the ball's movement.
You can practice bouncing the ball at knee height, ensuring it does not go higher than your thigh. Keep the ball close to your body, so you don't have to lean forward to retrieve it.
Once you are comfortable with the basic dribbling stance and have control over the ball, you can start practicing more advanced moves like the between-the-legs dribble.
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How to bounce the ball
To perform a between-the-legs basketball move, you must first master the art of dribbling. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to bounce the ball effectively:
Getting into the Right Stance
Start by adopting a basic dribbling stance with your knees slightly bent and your head and chest pointed straight ahead. Position your feet about shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly in front of the other. This stance helps protect the ball while also giving you the mobility you need to move around.
Holding the Ball
Hold the basketball with your fingertips, ensuring that only the pads of your fingers on your dominant hand are touching the ball. Keep your palm off the ball, as this will give you more precise control over its movement.
Bouncing the Ball
Use your fingertips to bounce the ball off the ground firmly. Aim for the ball to reach up to your hip or knee height. You can do this by snapping your wrist down to push the ball with force. Keep your fingers spread apart to maximize control. The sweet spot for bouncing is pretty low to the ground. If the ball goes too high, towards your waist, it will be challenging to control and defenders may have an opportunity to steal it.
Catching the Ball
As the ball bounces back up, use your fingertips to catch it and immediately push it back down to the ground. This continuous bouncing motion is what propels the ball forward as you dribble.
Practicing the Technique
Mastering the art of dribbling takes time and practice. Focus on getting comfortable with the ball, ensuring that you can control it without looking down. YouTube is a great resource for dribbling practice routines, and you can also seek advice from online basketball communities. Remember, the more you practice, the smoother your dribbling will become!
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The crossover
First, get into a basic dribbling stance with your knees slightly bent and your head and chest pointed straight ahead. Start dribbling the ball with your dominant hand, bouncing it in front of you at knee height. Then, take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot, moving it about 45 degrees away from your body. Keep your dominant side stable with your foot planted on the ground.
As you take this diagonal step, shift your hand so that only your thumb is on top of the ball, and use your fingertips to push the ball between your open legs. This will make the ball bounce underneath you and come up behind you. To catch the ball, move your opposite hand behind you to receive it as it emerges from between your legs.
It is important to keep the ball close to your body so that you don't have to lean forward to retrieve it. You should also get familiar with the surface you're playing on, as this will impact the height of your bounces. Practice this move standing in place until you're comfortable with the motion.
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Variations of the move
The between-the-legs dribble is a type of crossover dribble, and there are two primary variations of this move. In the first variation, which is the standard form, an offensive player dribbles the ball with one hand in front of them, between their legs, and then catches it with their opposite hand near the leg opposite the initial dribbling hand.
The second variation is called the reverse between-the-legs dribble. In this move, the player dribbles the ball between their legs, but the specifics of this variation are unclear.
The between-the-legs dribble can be used as an escape crossover, creating a lot of space. It can also be used to change directions quickly, for example, from left to right. This move is effective in diminishing the effectiveness of on-ball defence, especially in relation to footwork and hand movement.
It is important to practice the dribble move into a shooting motion. Start by dribbling between the legs and then gathering the ball into a shooting motion without shooting. Once this becomes natural, you can start taking shots.
Another variation of the move is the between-the-legs and behind-the-back combo, which works well against defenders who are always trying to poke the ball.
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Limitations of the move
While dribbling a basketball between your legs can be an effective way to keep the ball out of a defender's grasp, there are some limitations to this move.
Firstly, it requires a certain level of comfort and proficiency with the ball. Beginners might not be able to execute this move smoothly, as it demands a good understanding of ball control and dribbling fundamentals. Players should first focus on mastering basic dribbles and feeling confident with the ball before attempting more advanced moves like the between-the-legs dribble.
Secondly, the between-the-legs dribble is not highly effective against very aggressive on-ball pressure. When faced with a lockdown defender who takes away driving angles with their speed, quickness, and defensive IQ, this move may not be the best option. In such cases, players might find it challenging to create the necessary space between themselves and the defender to execute the move successfully.
Additionally, the between-the-legs dribble is most commonly used by perimeter-oriented players like point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards. While post-oriented players can also perform this move if they understand the basics of dribbling, it may not be as effective for them due to their typical positioning and the defensive strategies they face.
Furthermore, the success of the between-the-legs dribble relies on precise control and technique. Bouncing the ball too high can give defenders an opportunity to steal it before it can be crossed between the legs. Players must learn to bounce the ball at the optimal height, maintain control, and time their steps correctly to create the necessary window to execute the move. Without proper technique, the move can be less effective and increase the risk of turnovers.
Lastly, while the between-the-legs dribble can be an impressive and useful move, it may not be as effective in certain defensive scenarios. Against defenders with strong defensive stances and proper footwork, this move might not yield the desired results. In such cases, players may need to resort to alternative dribble moves like the behind-the-back dribble or the escape dribble to counter defensive pressure effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
The between the legs move in basketball is a dribbling technique used to keep the ball away from defenders. It involves dribbling the ball with one hand and then catching it with the opposite hand as it comes through the player's legs.
To perform the between the legs dribble, start by getting into a basic dribbling stance with your knees slightly bent and your head and chest pointed straight ahead. Use your dominant hand to dribble the ball near your knee, then push it between your legs so it bounces up behind you. Move your opposite hand behind you to catch the ball as it emerges.
The between the legs dribble is typically used by perimeter-oriented basketball positions such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. However, any player can perform this move if they understand the fundamentals of dribbling.
