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How to do through the legs in basketball
The Between-the-Legs Dribble | ACTIVE
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The Between-the-Legs Dribble
Dribbling between the legs, though seemingly nothing more than a stylish variation on the crossover, is an effective, and oftentimes necessary tool when facing extreme pressure from a defender. Though this move can work wonderfully for any perimeter player, the point guard needs to master this move.
Often the defensive player is playing in such close proximity to you, that the crossover dribble would allow the defender to easily get a hand on the ball. Whereas, with the between the legs move, you are using your body as a natural shield against the defender allowing you to change both direction and speed—while insuring that the ball is being protected. This is also an excellent move to use when operating within a half-court situation, and a change of pace move is necessary to get by your man and into the lane.
How to Do the Between-the-Legs:
Stand at one end of the court. Begin with the ball in your right hand ( whether you are right- or left-handed does not matter; from this point on, only when specified, will it become important). Place the ball in your right hand. At the same time that you begin to dribble, step with your left foot, moving your leg at a 45 degree angle towards the left sideline—in other words, step in the direction of your left. As your foot is about to touch the floor, guide the ball through the space that you’ve created between your feet. While this is happening, place your left hand behind you—your palm facing your back—ready to catch the ball after its passed through.
The difficulty of this drill comes here: As you’ve caught the ball in your left hand, your right foot needs to be stepping simultaneously at a 45 degree angle towards your right, in preparation to keep the ball moving smoothly between your feet. Though the timing and body movement on this move may seem a bit awkward and unnatural at first, you will soon adjust.
Keys to Effectiveness:
1. Again, practice this drill at a speed with which you are comfortable. Do not be sloppy. Your speed with the ball will increase the more you practice.
2. Your knees must be bent, the bend in your knees is what will provide you with both your quickness and ability to successfully change directions; make sure you do this.
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Between the Legs Dribble Basketball Move
As the game of basketball has progressed, the difficulty and the variety of offensive moves has increased. There was a time when a between the legs dribble was revolutionary. Now it is something you see all the time.
The first time a player dribbled between their legs in a game the spectators heads probably exploded. Now most offensive possessions include a between the legs dribble.
But beyond the showmanship of the between the legs dribble, it actually serves an important function.
Dribbling the ball from one hand to another is one of the more susceptible moments for an offensive player. This is a common situation that leads to steals for the defense. By using the between the legs dribble it allows the offensive player to switch hands while putting an obstacle in the way (your leg) making it harder for the defender to steal the ball.
When To Use The Between The Legs Dribble
The between the legs dribble can be used as either a way to shake a defender off to create space or to move the ball from one hand to another while dribbling to create a better angle for a pass/move. Another way to use the between the legs dribble is to setup a defender for another offensive move, like a crossover.
These situations will usually occur at the top of the key or on the wings. Rarely are between the legs dribbles effective in the post or in high traffic areas. Again, the main goal of the between the legs dribble is to get the ball from the left hand to the right hand safely, or visa versa.
The Between the Legs Dribble in Action
Below you will find a thorough video showing the different ways to use the between the legs dribble. Our goal is to give you insight on how different players use this move differently so that you can see how to use the between the legs dribble more effectively in your game.
Not only does Coach Rock tell you how to do the between the legs dribble, but he also gives several great drills that you can do to improve.
How to Master The Between The Legs Dribble
If you watched the video above you should have a good idea about how to execute the between the legs dribble. Here are some additional tips to make the most out of both practice sessions and games.
Get Low
High dribbling is susceptible to quick handed defenders. To have an effective between the legs dribble you need to have strong quads and hamstrings that are flexible so that you can get lower than the defender. By keeping your between the legs dribble low the defender will not have the opportunity to steal the ball and will allow you a better chance to blow by them on your way to the basket.
Use the Between the Legs Dribble to Set Up Your Defender
Use It to Setup a Defender
Off the dribble moves are as much about timing and rhythm as they are about the moves themselves. The between the legs dribble is a great dribble to get your body in position and put your defender at an angle that is advantageous.
I like how the between the legs dribble gets your feet active. Be sure to focus on your footwork when doing the dribble and not just the act of putting the ball between your legs. Footwork is just as important as the actual ball handling.
Not a Great Move in Traffic
When you use the between the legs dribble your front leg creates an angle that is different from the crossover. To prove this concept take a basketball and do a crossover. Look at your feet and body right before the crossover dribble. One foot might be slightly in front of the other, but overall your chest and body are in a neutral position allowing you to go either right or left. Now do a between the legs dribble. See how your front foot creates an angle and closes your body off to one direction. If you execute the between the legs dribble and a help defender comes to the side you are dribbling to the ball is very exposed and is often stolen in this position.
While the angle created by the between the legs dribble helps you to avoid your primary defender it makes you very susceptible to the double teamer as your front leg gets in the way and it is hard to execute a quick retreat dribble when you are in such a committed position.
In high traffic situations I recommend using either a crossover or a behind the back dribble as these work better in motion and do not create any angles that make you susceptible to help defenders.
Basketball coaching hacks: how to score goals for beginners
Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands. It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.
Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners
1. Hands up
In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!
2. Make shield rolls
Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!
3. Look at the ring, not at the ball
Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.
4. Dribble with the balls of your fingers only
The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.
5. Throw with one hand
If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.
6. Do not jump when protecting the ring
Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.
7. Don't look back
When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).
8. Bring the throw to automatism
Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.
Throw the ball with all fives and jump
Throwing Rules:
Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.
The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).
Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.
How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball
How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.
9. Copy masters and play as a team
Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.
10. Do not throw in a straight line
The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.
11. Do not throw the ball from a full height stand
This is the biggest newbie mistake!
Before the throw, bend your knees slightly and at the moment of the throw, straighten your body, making a jump. You need to straighten up and push off the ground at the same time. When squatting, keep the elbow of the throwing arm close to the body and towards the ring.
The jump will give momentum to the ball and will allow you not to make sudden movements with the brush.
***
And to be a long-term player, do not forget about your health: take care of your joints and muscles, use tapes, do a warm-up. And be sure to strengthen your arms, legs and shoulder girdle, develop coordination. Regular exercises on uneven bars and horizontal bars will help you with this.
Do's and don'ts with the ball in play
Intentionally kicking or punching the ball is passed to the other team. Accidentally kicking or touching the ball is not a violation.
You already know how a player can turn, dribble or stop when receiving the ball. However, I would like to remind you of some details of these elements of ball possession.
A dribble consists of a basketball player making the ball move by throwing, hitting, rolling or touching it again before another player touches the ball; When dribbling, the ball must touch the floor. The number of steps while guiding is not limited.
The dribble is considered to be completed as soon as the player touches the ball with both hands simultaneously or holds the ball with one or both hands. A player may not start a second dribble after the first has been abandoned, unless the ball out of his control has touched another player, the opponent's ring or backboard.
A player may move with the ball in any direction subject to the following rules: 1. A player who receives the ball while standing may turn using either foot as a pivot.
2. A player who has received the ball while moving or having completed a dribble may use a two-step rhythm to stop or pass the ball; the first step is considered held if the player at the time of receiving the ball touches the floor with either foot or both feet of the player touch the floor at the same time after he receives the ball in the air; the second step is considered completed when, after the first step, the second foot touches the floor or both feet touch the floor at the same time.
3. A player may take off a pivot foot or jump on a throw or pass, but the ball must be released from the hand before one or both feet touch the floor again.
4. Do not lift the supporting foot off the floor at the start of the dribble before the ball is released from the hand.
Now about the zone rule. The team in possession of the ball in the frontcourt is not allowed to pass it back to their backcourt. However, this does not apply to dropped balls and kick-ins after a free throw for a technical foul. In addition, a player who has possession of the ball in his frontcourt immediately after a jump ball in center court may pass the ball to his backcourt.
And to conclude this section, a word or two about situations involving the ball being played above the level of the ring.
No player of either the defending or attacking team may touch the ball above the level of the ring and descending towards the basket. This restriction is valid until the ball touches the ring.
There was a time when a between the legs dribble was revolutionary. Now it is something you see all the time. 
Another way to use the between the legs dribble is to setup a defender for another offensive move, like a crossover.
Here are some additional tips to make the most out of both practice sessions and games.
Footwork is just as important as the actual ball handling.
Don't overlook this little thing! 
Practice with the ball constantly. 
Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge. 
Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal). 
