Helena Frye
Dribbling a basketball between your legs is a flashy move that can help you keep possession of the ball. To perform this move, start by bending your knees and lowering your hips into a basic dribbling stance. Bounce the ball at knee height in front of you using your dominant hand, then take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot. Shift the ball to the side as it bounces so that only your thumb is on top, then push it between your legs so it bounces up behind you. Finish by moving your opposite hand behind you to catch the ball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To keep the ball out of a defender's grasp |
| Setup | Know how to control the ball |
| Stance | Basic dribbling stance with knees slightly bent, head and chest pointed straight ahead |
| Bouncing | Use pads of fingers on dominant hand to bounce the ball at knee height |
| Stepping | Take a diagonal step forward with the opposite foot |
| Hand movement | Shift hand to the side of the ball so that only the thumb is on top |
| Ball movement | Push the ball between the legs so it bounces underneath and comes up behind |
| Receiving the ball | Move the opposite hand behind the back to receive the ball as it emerges |
| Surface | Get familiar with the surface; softer surfaces require more force to bounce the ball |
| Practice | Practice bouncing the ball a few times to get a sense of the court and how the ball moves |
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What You'll Learn
Basic dribbling stance
To begin dribbling, hold the ball so that your fingertips are the only part of your hand that is touching it. Place your legs about shoulder-width apart, and bend your knees slightly—modern players and YouTube coaches recommend this stance, while older players like Pistol Pete suggest keeping your back straight and knees slightly bent. Bounce the ball off the ground firmly and catch it with your fingertips as it bounces back up before pushing it down again.
Keep the ball 3 inches away from the side of your body and low to the ground while you move. When dribbling and walking, ensure that one of your feet always hits the ground with the ball. Avoid careless dribbling violations such as travelling, double dribbling, and carrying, as these can result in penalties for your team. Travelling includes taking an extra step, skipping, hopping, or shuffling your feet, while carrying refers to catching the ball with one hand and then continuing to dribble.
It is important to practice looking up while dribbling, as during a game, you will need to locate your teammates, keep an eye on your defender, and be aware of the basket's location. With practice, dribbling will become second nature, and you will be able to trust the ball without looking at it.
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Bouncing the ball
To perform a between-the-legs dribble, you must first master the basics of dribbling a basketball. Start with the ball held in front of you with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bounce the ball with the pads of your fingers on your dominant hand, keeping it close to your body and at knee height. Try to keep your fingers spread apart to maximise control.
When you're comfortable with the basic dribble, you can attempt the between-the-legs move. Start with the ball in both hands in front of you. Bounce the ball between your legs, catching it behind you with the opposite hand. To do this, take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot and shift the ball to the side as it bounces, so only your thumb is on top. Then, push the ball between your open legs so it bounces under you and comes up behind you.
It's important to get the stance right before attempting this move. Crouch down low by bending your knees and lowering your hips. Lean forward slightly to prepare for movement and ensure your stance feels stable. Keep your head up and eyes forward as much as possible, avoiding looking down at the ball.
Practising dribbling the ball without bouncing it can also help you improve. Try making an 8 shape with the ball between your legs to get a feel for the movement.
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Diagonal step forward
To perform a diagonal step forward as part of a between-the-legs dribble in basketball, begin by getting into a basic dribbling stance with your knees slightly bent and your head and chest pointed straight ahead. You should be leaning forward slightly on the balls of your feet, ready to spread your legs during the dribble.
The next step is to take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot. This means that if you are dribbling with your right hand, you should step forward with your left foot, and vice versa. This step should be taken at about a 45-degree angle away from your body, with your dominant side remaining stable and your foot planted on the ground.
As you take this diagonal step, continue to dribble the ball near your dominant side to prepare for the crossover. Once the ball reaches the top of its bounce, take a quick step to create a brief window to push the ball between your legs. Shift your hand to the side of the ball as it bounces, so that only your thumb is on top of the ball, and use your hand to push the ball between your open legs.
The ball should bounce underneath you and come up behind you, where you can move your opposite hand behind you to receive it. This move helps to keep the ball out of the defender's grasp and can be practised to impress crowds and leave defenders behind during a game.
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Shifting the ball between legs
Shifting the ball between your legs is a great trick to keep the ball out of the defender's grasp. It is also known as a crossover dribble, which is a common dribbling move used when changing direction. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to shift the ball between your legs:
Get into a basic dribbling stance with your knees slightly bent and your head and chest pointed straight ahead. Use the pads of your fingers on your dominant hand to bounce the ball in front of you, keeping it close to your body and trying to bounce it next to your knee.
Take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot. As you do this, shift your hand to the side of the ball so that only your thumb is on top, with your other fingers hitting its side. This gives you more precise control over the ball's movement.
Push the ball between your open legs so that it bounces underneath you and comes up behind you. Aim for the ground directly beneath your body.
Move your opposite hand behind you to receive the ball as it emerges, and you have successfully performed a crossover dribble!
The hardest part of this move is timing your forward movement. As soon as you feel the ball hit your hand, move your dominant foot forward at a 45-degree angle in the same direction you are moving. This will shield the ball and allow you to dribble forward.
Practice this move at a slow pace first, bouncing the ball a little higher than normal, and then increase your speed as you get more comfortable with the motion.
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Practising the crossover
To get started, it's important to get into a basic dribbling stance. Crouch down low by bending your knees and lowering your hips. Push your backside out behind you and lean forward slightly, ready to move. Practice dribbling with your dominant hand, keeping the ball close to your foot.
The next step is to work on the crossover. If you're dribbling with your right hand, step forward with your left foot and vice versa. Take a diagonal step at about a 45-degree angle. As the ball reaches the top of its bounce, push it between your legs with the tips of your fingers, landing on the pad of your thumb. Practice this motion slowly if you're having trouble.
Once you've got the hang of the basic movement, try adding in a crossover. As you push the ball between your legs, shift your hand to the side of the ball, ready to push it with your fingertips. Practice this sequence while walking slowly, crossing between your legs with each step.
To master the technique, run the length of the court in a zigzag movement, practising the crossover with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. Try different combinations of between-the-legs dribbles and directional shifts to improve your offensive game. With enough practice, you'll be able to cross the entire court without looking at the ball, keeping your eyes on the defender and scanning for opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
To dribble a basketball between your legs, you first need to get into a basic dribbling stance with your knees slightly bent and your head and chest pointed straight ahead. Use your dominant hand to bounce the ball in front of you at knee height. Take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot and shift the ball so that it goes between your legs and bounces up behind you. Catch the ball with your other hand.
Practice crossing the ball over while standing in the same place. When you feel comfortable with the motion, try to put the ball between your legs. It is also important to get familiar with the surface you are playing on, as some surfaces are springier than others. Softer surfaces, for example, require more force to bounce the ball.
Dribbling a basketball between your legs is a great way to keep the ball away from defenders. It is also a flashy skill that can impress crowds.
