Helena Frye
Behind-the-back dribbling is an essential skill for modern basketball players. It involves moving the ball from one hand to the other, bouncing it behind the player's back. This skill is often used by perimeter-oriented players such as point guards, shooting guards, or small forwards, but it can also be performed by post-oriented players such as power forwards or centers. To execute a behind-the-back dribble, players must start in a basketball stance and dribble with one arm. The hand should be on the outside of the ball, pushed behind the back in a straight line towards the other hand. It is important to bend the knees, keep the chest up, and avoid looking down. Practicing dribbling the ball under the legs and around the body can help improve hand-eye coordination and control, making behind-the-back dribbling easier to master.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stance | Knees bent, butt out, feet shoulder-width apart, chest up |
| Ball movement | From one hand to another behind the player's back |
| Angle of the hand | Hand should be on the outside part of the ball |
| Direction | Straight line |
| Eyes | Avoid looking down at the basketball |
| Drills | Dribble the ball under the legs and catch it with the other hand |
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What You'll Learn
- Basic stance: Knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, chest up
- Hand placement: Keep the non-dribbling hand tucked into the chest
- Ball movement: Pound the ball hard to create a good angle
- Drills: Practise dribbling under the legs to improve hand placement
- Game situations: Use the dribble to create scoring opportunities near the basket
Basic stance: Knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, chest up
To perform a behind-the-back dribble, you need to start with the basics. This means getting into a good stance.
To get into a basic stance for basketball, you need to bend your knees, put your feet about shoulder-width apart, and keep your chest up. This is known as an athletic stance. It's important to keep your chest up because it helps you maintain good posture and balance, which are crucial for performing dribble moves effectively.
The athletic stance is a powerful position that enables quick and agile movements. With your knees bent, you are closer to the ground, which provides a lower center of gravity and improved stability. This is crucial for dribbling because it allows you to have better control over the ball and quickly change directions if needed.
Additionally, having your feet shoulder-width apart provides a solid base of support. This width between your feet gives you balance and allows for quick adjustments in any direction. It's important to feel stable and grounded when performing dribble moves, as it helps you maintain control of the ball and prevents you from falling or losing balance.
Practicing this stance and making it feel comfortable is essential before attempting more advanced dribble techniques. It provides the foundation for all your movements on the court, so take the time to get used to this position and how it enables your body to move and react to different situations.
Once you have mastered the basic stance, you can start incorporating dribbling drills to improve your ball handling skills and coordination, which will eventually lead to mastering the behind-the-back dribble.
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Hand placement: Keep the non-dribbling hand tucked into the chest
To perform a behind-the-back dribble, it is important to keep your non-dribbling hand tucked into your chest. This helps to maintain control of the ball and facilitates the smooth transfer of the ball from one hand to the other.
When dribbling the ball behind your back, it is crucial to focus on hand placement. The non-dribbling hand should be kept close to the body, tucked into the chest, to provide stability and balance. This technique ensures that the non-dribbling arm does not interfere with the dribbling action and allows for a more seamless transition between hands.
By keeping the non-dribbling hand tucked in, you create a clear path for the ball to travel behind your back. This positioning also helps maintain a low centre of gravity, which is essential for maintaining control of the ball. With practice, you can develop a feel for the ideal hand placement, allowing you to make subtle adjustments to guide the ball effectively.
Additionally, having the non-dribbling hand close to the chest provides protection for the ball. By keeping the hand tucked in, you reduce the risk of the defender knocking the ball away or intercepting it during the dribbling move. This defensive aspect is crucial when using the behind-the-back dribble in game situations, helping to shield the ball from defenders and giving you more time to set up your next move.
Practising dribbling drills that focus on hand placement, such as dribbling the ball under your legs or around your legs while seated, can help you improve your behind-the-back dribble technique. Remember to keep the non-dribbling hand tucked into your chest throughout these drills to reinforce muscle memory and improve your overall ball handling skills.
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Ball movement: Pound the ball hard to create a good angle
To perform a behind-the-back dribble, the ball must move from one hand to the other, bouncing behind the player. To achieve this, the player must dribble the ball with one arm, and then push their hand behind their back in a straight line towards their other hand.
To create a good angle for the ball to bounce to the other hand, it is important to pound the ball hard. This will make it pop back up to your hand. While this may make it more likely that you lose the ball at first, it will allow you to understand where you need to bounce the ball so that it comes up to your hand.
It can be helpful to practice this motion repeatedly, even just standing still and pounding the ball behind your back until you get a feel for the movement. You can then begin to incorporate this into your warm-ups and workouts.
It is also important to remember that the ball is going under your butt, rather than around your back. This means that you need to get low, creating a nice space for the ball to move through.
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Drills: Practise dribbling under the legs to improve hand placement
Dribbling drills are an essential part of basketball training, and can help improve your ball control, hand-eye coordination, and agility.
To perform a behind-the-back dribble, you need to be in a basketball stance and dribble the ball with one arm. To initiate the behind-the-back movement, your hand needs to be on the outside part of the ball and pushed behind your back and off the floor in a straight line towards your other hand.
To improve hand placement, you can practice dribbling under your legs. This drill helps you improve hand placement as you are dribbling the ball behind your feet, and this can translate into dribbling behind your back. Start by standing with one foot in front of the other and your knees bent, and practice sending the ball in a V-shape between your legs. Shift the ball from hand to hand. To make this drill more challenging, try not to look down.
Another drill to improve hand placement is to sit on a chair or bench and dribble to focus on what your hands are doing without worrying about your legs and feet. Start with one hand and get the rhythm of the ball going up and down. Then, stand up and continue dribbling.
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Game situations: Use the dribble to create scoring opportunities near the basket
The behind-the-back dribble is an important skill to master in basketball, as it can create scoring opportunities near the basket. Here are some game situations where you can use this dribble to your advantage:
Creating Separation:
One of the primary goals of dribble moves is to create separation from defenders. The behind-the-back dribble is particularly effective against aggressive on-ball defenders. When an on-ball defender attempts to cut off your driving lane, quickly counter with a behind-the-back dribble to change directions and create space. This movement can confuse the defender, causing them to freeze or fall behind, giving you an opportunity to drive to the basket.
Attacking the Basket:
When you have successfully created separation using the behind-the-back dribble, you can attack the basket. This can be done by driving to the basket with the opposite hand of your dribble. For example, if you perform a right-to-left behind-the-back dribble, follow it up by driving to the basket with your left hand. This can lead to a scoring opportunity through a layup or dunk.
Passing Options:
If the defender recovers and contains your dribble, look for passing options to teammates. The behind-the-back dribble can create opportunities for your teammates to score as well. A drift pass or a kick pass to an open teammate near the basket can lead to a jump shot or a drive to the rim.
Changing Speeds:
When performing dribble moves, changing speeds can be very effective in creating scoring opportunities. As you approach the free-throw line, vary your pace by going slow, then fast, and then slow again. This keeps the defender guessing and creates openings for you to drive to the basket or pull up for a jump shot.
Combining Moves:
The behind-the-back dribble can be combined with other moves to create even more effective scoring opportunities. For example, you can execute a stutter step dribble to confuse the defender, followed by a behind-the-back dribble to change directions and create space. This combination of moves can lead to high-quality scoring chances near the basket.
Remember, the key to mastering the behind-the-back dribble and creating scoring opportunities is consistent and focused practice. Incorporate various drills into your training routine to improve your dribbling skills and adaptability in game situations.
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Frequently asked questions
A behind-the-back dribble is a move where the basketball is moved from one hand to the other, bouncing behind the player. It is similar to a crossover dribble, but the dribbling is done behind the body.
First, get into a basketball stance with your knees bent, chest up, and feet about shoulder-width apart. Then, dribble the ball with one arm. When you want to perform the behind-the-back dribble, put your hand on the outside of the ball and push it behind your back in a straight line towards your other hand. Pound the ball hard so that it bounces up to your hand. Practice this move over and over again to improve consistency.
A behind-the-back dribble can be used when you want to dribble the ball while being adjacent to a deep corner or near a baseline. It can help create scoring or playmaking opportunities near the basket or the perimeter areas of the court.
