How to do basketball dribble moves

6 Basketball Moves You Need to Beat Any Defender

Many players believe they need complex basketball moves to be a great ball-handler.

Instead of sticking to the basics, they want to learn the "advanced moves".

For example, the "double-crossover-spin-hesi-jumper” or the “triple-spin-back-cross-pullup”.

(yes, I made these up)

But the truth is…

By perfecting 6 fundamental basketball moves, you'll have everything you need to explode past any defender on the court.

They'll allow you to:

a. Get to the rim with ease (to create a shot for yourself or a teammate)

b. Fly past your opponent when you’re quickly bringing the ball up the court.

Below, I’ve broken down what the 6 basketball moves are and how you can use them in a game.

1. Crossover Dribble

The crossover involves bouncing the basketball in front of you from one hand to the other.

It’s most often used when a player wants to change directions and they’re not being tightly guarded by a defender who could poke the ball away.

This is the easiest basketball move for players to perform, and is the first move a player will start practicing when they first start learning how to dribble.

But don’t let the simplicity fool you…

The crossover is used by players at all levels to blow past an opponent.

Crossover Dribble Video:

2. Through the Legs Dribble

The through-the-legs basketball move involves crossing the basketball over from one hand to the other, but putting the ball between your legs.

A small difference from a regular crossover, but an important one.

When the ball is passed between the legs, the front leg offers protection from a defender reaching in and also ensures the ball is further away from the defense.

The timing and coordination needed for this move can make it difficult for young players, but it’s effective when players learn how to stay low and explode out of it.

Through the Legs Dribble Video:

3.

Similar to through the legs, the behind the back dribble allows players to switch the ball from one hand to the other while protecting the basketball.

With this move, the entire body protects the ball as a player wraps the ball behind them.

One of the biggest benefits of going behind the back is the ball can be passed out in front of your opposite hand which allows an offensive player to attack quickly.

So if a defender lunges in to steal the basketball while on the fast break, a quick behind the back dribble can help you protect the ball and evade the defender without breaking stride.

Behind the Back Dribble Video:

4. Hesitation Dribble

The hesitation dribble involves dribbling with speed, slowing down for a split-second, and then exploding past your defender.

It’s a straight-line basketball move often used in transition to beat a defender and attack the rim or create a shot for a teammate.

The goal with the hesitation dribble is to trick the defender into thinking you’re about to stop. This can be achieved by slightly raising your body, looking up to the rim like you’re about to shoot, looking up at a teammate, or a combination.

When a defender notices you slowing down, they’ll do the same in order to stay in good defensive position...

With the defender losing their momentum, you’ll be able to explode past them to the rim.

Hesitation Dribble Video:

5. In-and-Out Dribble

The in-and-out dribble move is designed to trick the defender into thinking you’re about to perform a regular crossover.

This is a great basketball move for players first learning the game of basketball.

Keeping the basketball in one hand, the offensive player uses a head and shoulders fake while moving the ball inside and then back out by switching the position of their hand on the ball.

It’s most commonly used in transition to get a defender to shift their weight from one direction to another which opens up a driving lane to attack.

In-and-Out Video Dribble:

6.

The spin move is one of the most difficult basketball moves to learn, but it’s an important weapon for players to have in their dribbling repertoire.

It involves planting your inside foot and reverse-pivoting around a defender while dragging the basketball with you.

This can be a difficult move for young players to execute, but it’s quick and effective when a player has put in the work practicing it.

It’s important that players ensure their hand stays on top of the basketball. If the hand slips under, referees will whistle the dribbler for a carrying violation.

Spin Move Video:

Conclusion

A quick warning...

Don't try to overcomplicate it.

The players who try to do "too much" are the same players who will pump fake four times, dribble six times through their legs, and then dribble twice behind their back without ever making their defender move and inch.

Instead, you want to keep your basketball moves simple and effective.

Mastering the fundamentals is key.

4 Dribble Moves To Complement A Killer Crossover

If you have a great crossover or you're working on developing a crossover, consider adding these 4 moves to your arsenal.

If the defender or help defender stops your initial crossover move, these counter moves will make you VERY hard to guard.

We start with two double moves. Once you perfect these, you can progress to the two triple moves.

These moves and drills are taken from the Breakthrough Ballhandling Workouts.

General Instructions

Players will execute a dribble move each time they reach the chair. Set up a chair 15 feet away from you. Dribble at the chair with the designated hand. When you get to the chair, execute the described dribble move. Turn around and repeat.

Keep your eyes up (look forward) on all the dribbling moves.

Note for Coaches: Using in Your Practices

If you want to use this drill in your team practice, line chairs or cones up in the middle of the court and have everyone run the drill at the same time. Practice each move/drill for 20-40 seconds. This is a very efficient way to work on ball handling (because everyone has a ball in their hands). And it's a great conditioner!

Dribble Move #1 - Cross Over / Through Legs

Here is the right side:

Here is the left side:

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on the cross over move (from slow/medium to fast).
- Snap the ball. Sell the fake.

Dribble Move #2 - Cross Over / Behind Back

Here is the right side:

Here is the left side:

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast).
- Snap the ball. Sell the fake.

Dribble Move #3 - Cross Over / Through Legs / Behind Back

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast).
- Snap the ball - improve your hand speed.

Dribble Move #4 - Cross Over / Behind Back / Through Legs

- Keep the ball low on your cross over.
- Change speeds on your dribble move (from slow/medium to fast).
- Snap the ball - improve your hand speed.

If you'd like more ballhandling and footwork drills that you can do at home or the gym, check out the Breakthrough Ballhandling Workouts App.

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

How to improve dribbling at home?

6 tips that will help every basketball player

Sometimes you look at Irving's highlights, you want to practice dribbling, but they don't let you into the gym. It's winter outside and you can't knock the ball either. What to do at this moment and how to be, we analyze in this article.

Often players say dribbling but don't know what it means. Let's take a broader view and break down possession in general, because basketball isn't just about hitting on the spot and crossovers. Our main goal is to score more than the opponent, and for this we need to be able to move around the court from one point to another with the ball under pressure from the defender and bring the ball into a comfortable position for a shot or pass. It's all ball possession.

Can ball possession be improved at home? Yes, but the effectiveness depends on the level of your training. Work at home is very limited, so if you have no other choice - it is better to try to do at least something than just sit.

What to do? Hold 6 points:

1. If you have a couple of square meters and no neighbors below, or they are not disturbed by your hitting the ball, then you can fully train.

For example, you can work on these things:

All this and more, we are working on the LVL UP course in the online school. A couple of square meters and 15 minutes a day is enough to progress.

2. If you can't hit the ball, you can work on your hand speed and ball feel.
Do various rotations around the head, legs and body. You can do the same in the lunge and other basketball positions. Try different combinations and stance changes.

3. In continuation to the second point, the ball is thrown with straight arms.
Start simply with your arms outstretched in front of you, then try with up and down movements, and in the most difficult variation, add a chest rotation.

4. Visualization.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself moving around the court with the ball. It is important to fully immerse yourself in the moment and live it, and not be an outside observer.

5. Visualization in life, or I don't know what else to call it.
Start repeating the movements as if you were hitting a ball and making transfers. Take a video and see how it looks from the outside. It probably won't look like cool dribbling. Try to fix it.

6. Work on the body.
By developing your body, you will open up opportunities for skill development. Regular dribbling requires a mobile hip, strong glutes, a mobile chest, and a strong core to better deal with defensive pressure. You can work on this at home too.

Examples of the importance of the body in possession of the ball.

You can always work on yourself and become better. Everything depends on your desire. Hope this article helps you.

Nikita of coachmen

Founder Ball in

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