Andrew Pace
Ripping the ball in basketball is an important skill to create separation from defenders and generate scoring opportunities. It involves using a space step or step through pivot to protect the ball and generate space. Players start in a triple threat position, then rip the ball below their knees or above their head, never exposing it near their midsection. Drills that focus on ball rips and strong pivots improve ball security, increase player confidence, and reduce turnovers. The rip-through move can be a foul if it causes the ball handler to lose the ball due to the defender's non-vertical arm position.
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What You'll Learn
Using the triple threat position
The triple threat position is a foundational stance in basketball that can significantly elevate a player's game. It is a stance where a player can dribble, pass, or shoot. In this position, the player keeps a low center of gravity with one foot forward and holds the ball close to their hip, away from defenders. This stance gives the player on offense a blend of adaptability and promptness, enabling them to swiftly pivot their strategy in response to the opposition's tactics.
To master the triple threat position, players must make it second nature through repetition. One drill to practice is the jab series. Start on the wing with a coach or partner defending you. Jab right, then left, then take one dribble right and pull up. Repeat, mixing up your jab-dribble-shoot combinations. This drill improves your footwork and decisiveness.
Another drill is the triple threat rip series. Start by catching the ball on the wing, then rip through to your shooting pocket. From there, you can either shoot, rip, and drive, or rip and crossover. This drill helps you turn a catch into a scoring opportunity.
Once you've mastered the triple threat position, you can add your own twists to make it personalized and unpredictable. For example, you can use a cross jab from the triple threat position to shift your defender and create space. If you create enough space, you can shoot. If not, you can rip and go by opening your hips, ripping the ball below your knees, and exploding by your defender.
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Creating separation from the defender
Start by assuming a triple threat position, with the ball held at your inside hip. Use your right foot as the pivot foot, and step forward at an angle with your left foot. As you step forward, swing the ball low, below your knees, and then swing it back as you return to the triple threat position. This movement creates separation from the defender and secures the ball.
Another technique is to use a "space step" or "step-through pivot." This involves stepping forward with one foot while simultaneously ripping the ball to your outside (opposite) knee. This movement creates space between you and the defender. Follow this by taking one dribble and going up for a layup. Practicing this drill helps you get a feel for the move, and eventually, adding a defender will simulate game situations.
To further enhance your ability to create separation, work on your footwork and pivoting skills. Practice the 1-on-1 Ball Tough Drill, where the offensive player cuts to the wing and receives a pass. The defensive player closes in, and the offensive player must use pivots and ball rips to keep the defender from crowding. This drill emphasizes creating space from the defense, resulting in stronger ball control and reduced turnovers.
Additionally, try the stationary dribble drill, where you alternate between pivoting and dribbling. During the pivot phase, focus on getting your head, shoulders, and feet in the right position before bringing the ball through last. This drill teaches you to create separation from the defender and square up to the rim. Remember not to lean away from the defender but instead maintain your ground.
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Ripping the ball low or high
Ripping the ball is a great way to protect it from an overly aggressive defender, especially if you've already picked up your dribble. It is also an effective way to create separation from your defender while in a triple threat position on offense. The more separation you can create from the defender, the easier it will be to score.
When ripping the ball, you can either go low (below the knees) or high (above the head). Never expose the ball near your midsection. To rip the ball low, start in a triple threat position with the ball at your inside hip. Bend your knees and use your right foot as a pivot foot. Step through and forward at an angle with your left foot, swinging the ball low as you do so. Swing the ball back and step back into the triple threat position.
To rip the ball high, start in the same triple threat position but this time, swing the ball above your head as you step through with your left foot. Keep your knees bent and never expose the ball near your midsection. Step back into the triple threat position.
You can also use ripping the ball as part of your cutting movement. For example, after making an L-cut or a shallow cut, rip the ball through low and hard to get into a triple threat position. As you rip the ball through, swing your front foot past the defender's front foot and use a quick, low, and explosive first step to blow by them.
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Alternating between pivot and dribble
Alternating between the pivot and dribble is a crucial skill to develop in basketball, but it must be done without violating the rules of travelling. Travelling occurs when a player with the ball moves their pivot foot and then returns it to the floor, or if they start a dribble after lifting their pivot foot.
To avoid travelling, a player who catches the ball while moving or ends a dribble may stop and establish a pivot foot. If both feet are off the ground, either foot can be the pivot foot when the player lands. If the player lands on one foot, then the other, the first foot to touch the ground is the pivot foot.
It's important to note that the pivot foot cannot be lifted before releasing the ball. However, the pivot foot may be lifted, but the ball must be passed or shot before the pivot foot returns to the floor. Changing the pivot foot from the toes to the heel to move across the floor is considered travelling. The pivot foot is meant to allow the player to turn in their desired direction, not to facilitate movement across the floor.
While dribbling, a player may lift their non-pivot foot and take multiple steps without committing a travelling violation. This allows for movement across the court while maintaining control of the ball. However, the player must be careful not to shuffle their feet excessively, as this can also be considered travelling.
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Practising with drills
Drills are a great way to practice ripping the ball in basketball. Here are some drills that can help improve your ball-handling skills and create separation from defenders:
One-on-One Ball Tough Drill
This drill emphasizes ball rips and strong pivots to create space from the defence. Start by having an offensive player cut to the wing and receive a pass. The defensive player then closes in. The offensive player must now pivot and use ball rips to keep the defender from crowding. A variation of this drill involves the offence pivoting and ball-ripping for 5 seconds, followed by a stationary dribble for another 5 seconds. The defence can try to steal the ball during this time. The offensive player should not attack the basket in this variation.
Triple Threat Position Drill
Players start on the wing, a few steps outside the paint. They begin with the ball at their inside hip in the triple threat position, then rip the ball to their outside (opposite) knee, take a step and a single dribble, and go up for a layup. This drill helps players create separation from defenders and teaches them to create the best shot for themselves when receiving the ball on the wing. Start by performing this drill without a defender, then add one to simulate game situations.
Stationary Pivots Drill
This drill focuses on improving ball security by teaching players to use a "space step" (or step-through pivot) when pressured. Players should bend their knees and hold the ball in the triple threat position. Use your right foot as the pivot foot and step forward at an angle with your left foot. Swing the ball low as you step, then swing it back and step back into the triple threat position. Repeat this process, ripping the ball below your knees or above your head, but never exposing it near your midsection.
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Frequently asked questions
Ripping the ball in basketball is a technique used to create separation from your defender while in a triple-threat position on offense. The more separation you create, the easier it will be to score.
Start with the ball at your inside hip in the triple-threat position. Bend your knees and use your right foot as a pivot foot. Step through and forward at an angle with your left foot while swinging the ball low.
The ball should be ripped to your outside (opposite) knee. It can also be ripped low (below the knees) or high (above the head), but never expose the ball near your midsection.
Yes. Start by practicing the move without a defender to get a feel for it. Once you're comfortable, add a defender to simulate game situations and increase the intensity.
Yes, there are specific drills designed to improve ball-ripping skills. One such drill is the 1-on-1 Ball Tough Drill, where the offensive player pivots and uses ball rips to keep the defender from crowding. Another variation involves pivoting and ball ripping for 5 seconds, followed by a stationary dribble for 5 seconds, creating a challenging practice environment.
