
The behind-the-back dribble is an essential skill for modern basketball players to master. This move involves the ball moving from one hand to the other behind the player's back. To perform this move, start by adopting a low basketball stance with bent knees and lean forward with your hands behind your back and low to the ground. Then, bounce the ball from one hand to the other behind your back. Ensure your hand is on the outside part of the ball and pushed off the floor in a straight line towards your other hand. Practice this move repeatedly, starting with a short distance between your hands and gradually increasing the distance as you improve.
Characteristics and Values of putting a basketball behind your back
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the move | Behind-the-back dribble |
| Other names | Behind-the-back crossover |
| Body stance | Knees bent, hands and shoulders close to the ground |
| Hand position | On the outside part of the ball, pushed behind the back in a straight line towards the other hand |
| Difficulty | Advanced basketball move |
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What You'll Learn

Bend your knees and lean forward
Bending your knees and leaning forward is a fundamental aspect of performing a behind-the-back dribble in basketball. This technique is also known as a behind-the-back crossover, as the ball moves from one hand to the other behind the player's back.
To execute this move effectively, start by bending your knees and leaning forward, which creates more space between your legs and the back of your body. This increased space helps prevent the ball from hitting your legs or back as you dribble. It is important to maintain a low stance, as this reduces the distance the ball has to travel and gives your defender less time to react and attempt to steal the ball.
When bending your knees and leaning forward, position your hands behind your back and close to the ground. This starting position simplifies the move and makes it easier to control the ball. From this low position, begin by tapping the ball back and forth between your hands over a short distance. As you develop comfort and confidence, you can gradually increase the distance between your hands and the height of your hands off the ground.
Practicing this move with your hands and shoulders closer to the ground helps improve your ball-handling skills and reduces the risk of losing the ball. It may be helpful to start with basic drills, such as using two balls or a tennis ball, to master the fundamentals before progressing to more complex variations of the behind-the-back dribble.
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Keep your hands behind your back and low to the ground
To perform a behind-the-back dribble, it is important to keep your hands behind your back and low to the ground. This is a classic way to "juke" or mislead a defender. The player can dribble straight toward the hoop and then redirect the ball behind their back to swerve around the opposing team.
To execute this move effectively, you should maintain a low stance. Bend your knees, drop your hips back, and keep your body balanced. This balance will enable you to change directions or move quickly, which is crucial for evading defenders. It is also important to place your bounces slightly in front of your body and to the side of the foot that is on the same side as the dribbling hand.
When performing the behind-the-back dribble, your hand should be on the outside of the ball and pushed behind your back in a straight line toward your other hand. This technique ensures a good angle for the ball to bounce to the other hand. If you place your arm on top of the basketball, the angle for the bounce may be compromised.
Additionally, keeping your dribble low improves your control over the ball and makes it more challenging for defenders to steal it. This technique also allows you to shield the ball with your body and non-dribbling arm, further protecting it from defenders. By dribbling the ball behind your back, you can enhance your ball-handling skills and create opportunities to misdirect and deceive your opponents.
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Tap the ball between your hands
To put a basketball behind your back, you need to master the behind-the-back dribble. This is an advanced basketball move that involves moving the ball from one hand to the other, with the ball bouncing behind the player's back.
To execute this move, start by assuming a low basketball stance. With the ball in one hand, your hand should be on the outside part of the ball, pushed behind your back and off the floor in a straight line towards your other hand. It is important not to put your arm on top of the basketball, as this will affect the angle of the bounce.
Now, to tap the ball between your hands:
Begin with the ball in your dominant hand. Using your fingers and wrist, quickly flick the ball towards your non-dominant hand, which should be positioned behind your back. As the ball leaves your dominant hand, move your non-dominant hand behind your back to catch it. The motion should be smooth and quick, with a slight bounce as the ball transfers between hands.
Practice this motion, focusing on the quick transfer of the ball between hands. It is important to maintain control of the ball at all times and ensure it doesn't touch the floor. Keep your eyes on the ball as you tap it between your hands.
Once you've mastered the basic motion, you can increase the speed and power of the tap. This will help you execute the move more quickly and effectively during a game. Remember to always keep your hands low and close to your body, and practice regularly to improve your dribbling skills.
The behind-the-back dribble is a useful skill to have in your arsenal as a basketball player, allowing you to change directions quickly and keep defenders guessing. With enough practice, you'll be able to execute this move seamlessly and improve your overall ball-handling abilities.
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Practice with two balls or a tennis ball
Practicing with two balls or a tennis ball is a great way to improve your dribbling skills and ball handling. Here are some drills you can do with two basketballs or a basketball and a tennis ball:
Two-Ball Dribbling Drills:
- Between the Legs & Crossover: Dribble one basketball between your legs and cross over with the other ball in front.
- Hesitation: Act as if you're slowing down or coming to a stop, then explode out of the dribble as forcefully as possible.
- Behind the Back & Crossover: Take one basketball behind your back while crossing the other ball in front.
- Alternating Heights: Dribble one ball high while dribbling the other low.
Two-Ball Shooting Drrees:
The "Two Ball" game is a fantastic way to improve your shooting accuracy and precision. To play, you'll need four players divided into two teams, with each team having its own basketball:
- Start by getting into the correct positioning. One player from each team should be in the layup line to pass the ball to their teammate and get the rebound. The teammate receiving the pass must be behind the 3-point line for the basket to count.
- On the whistle, both teams dribble down with their balls and can execute any dribble move (crossover, hesitation, etc.) at the free-throw lines and half-court.
- The goal is to make every shot before your opponents. Each team shoots until they make 10 shots from the five three-point positions, with the roles of shooter and rebounder switching after each made shot.
- To enhance your shooting percentage, focus on refining your mechanics, fundamentals, and shooting form. Practice these repeatedly until they become ingrained habits.
Basketball and Tennis Ball Drills:
- Drop the tennis ball from shoulder height and note its bounce height. Repeat with the basketball.
- Now, place the tennis ball on top of the basketball and drop them together. The tennis ball will fly off with considerable velocity due to the transfer of momentum and energy to the lighter ball.
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Watch YouTube clips of Steph Curry
To put a basketball behind your back, you need to perform what is known as a behind-the-back dribble. This is an advanced basketball move where the ball moves from one hand to the other, bouncing behind the player's back. It is also known as a behind-the-back crossover.
To execute this move, start by assuming a basketball stance and dribbling the ball with one arm. Your hand should 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 hinder your ability to create a favourable angle for the ball to bounce to the other hand. Maintaining a low stance is crucial to prevent the ball from travelling a greater distance, which could give your defender more time to react and intercept.
While the mechanics of the behind-the-back dribble may seem straightforward, executing it effectively in live game situations is a different challenge. To enhance your understanding and application of this move, studying the techniques employed by professional players can be invaluable. One exceptional player to learn from is Steph Curry, a renowned NBA superstar. By observing his footwork, ball handling, and decision-making, you can gain insights into the nuances of successfully incorporating the behind-the-back dribble into your gameplay.
Watching YouTube clips of Steph Curry in action offers a practical way to study his techniques. Here are some detailed descriptions of what you might observe in four to six paragraphs:
Steph Curry possesses an extraordinary ability to manipulate the basketball, often employing the behind-the-back dribble to create space and confuse defenders. In one particular clip, you might notice how he starts with the ball in his right hand, dribbling at a moderate pace. As he approaches a defender, he swiftly shifts the ball behind his back, transferring it to his left hand. This abrupt change in direction throws the defender off balance, causing them to hesitate. Curry then accelerates, using his agile footwork to create separation and generating a scoring opportunity.
In another clip, Curry showcases his creativity with the behind-the-back dribble in a tight situation. Surrounded by multiple defenders, he quickly dribbles the ball behind his back, changing its position from one side to the other. This unpredictable movement disrupts the defenders' anticipation, causing a brief moment of confusion. Curry takes advantage of this hesitation, exploiting a gap in the defence to pass the ball to an open teammate for an easy basket.
One of the defining characteristics of Curry's behind-the-back dribble is his lightning-quick hand speed. In slow-motion replays, you can appreciate the rapidity with which he executes this move, leaving defenders with barely any time to react. His hand movement is incredibly fluid and seamless, making it challenging for opponents to predict his next action. This element of surprise is a key factor in his success as a playmaker.
What truly sets Curry apart is his ability to integrate the behind-the-back dribble into his overall gameplay seamlessly. In YouTube clips, observe how he combines this dribble with other moves, creating a fluid and unpredictable playing style. He might use a behind-the-back crossover to set up a step-back jump shot, or he could feint with a behind-the-back dribble before accelerating past defenders with a lightning-quick first step. These combinations showcase his mastery of the fundamentals and his innovative approach to basketball strategy.
By studying these YouTube clips of Steph Curry, you can gain a deeper understanding of the behind-the-back dribble and its potential applications. Observing his techniques, footwork, and decision-making will provide valuable insights that you can incorporate into your own basketball journey. Remember, while mastering the mechanics of the move is essential, it's the ability to utilise it effectively in game scenarios, adapting to defenders and exploiting opportunities, that truly sets great players apart.
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Frequently asked questions
The behind-the-back dribble is a move where the ball is moved from one hand to another, bouncing behind the player's back. It is also known as the behind-the-back crossover.
It is best to start by simplifying the move. Bend your knees and lean forward with your hands behind your back and low to the ground. Tap the ball back and forth between your hands from a short distance, and gradually increase the distance between your hands and the ground as you improve.
One common mistake is placing your arm on top of the basketball, which makes it difficult to create a good angle for the ball to bounce to the other hand. Another mistake is not bending your knees enough, which can cause the ball to hit the back of your legs.











































