How to Improve Dribbling With Behind Back Crossover

The Behind Back Crossover is part of the Mirror Dribbling Series that you can do with a partner or as a whole team. If you consistently practice this series--you will grow your dribbling skills dramatically. Here is how to do it.

Things You'll Need

• At least 2 players
• Basketball for each player
• Cone or chair
• Hard surface for dribbling

Instructions

How to Do the Drill Setup

1. Each player chooses a partner.

2. Each partner has a ball and faces the other 50 feet apart. If you are on a court, a partner on each sideline is the perfect distance.

3. Place a cone/chair at the midpoint of the partners (about 25 feet from each partner). This cone/chair represents the defender.

4. During the drill, the partners "mirror" each other.

How to Execute the Drill

1. Partners call out each other's names to start the drill.

2. Upon hearing his/her name, each player dribbles quickly with the right hand towards the cone/chair.

3. As the player gets about 3 feet from the cone/chair, he/she gets in a low, athletic position while protecting the dribble on the right side of the body away from the cone/chair.

4. Keeping the dribble below the knee, the player crosses the ball behind him/herself from the right side to just behind the left knee securing the ball now by dribbling with the left hand.

5. While dribbling with the left hand, he/she proceeds to pass the cone/chair on the left side--the partners will be crossing sides of the cone/chair at this point.

6. After passing the cone/chair, he/she dribbles quickly toward the sideline with the left hand (i.e. the partner's original position).

7. As the player reaches the sideline, he/she comes to a two-foot jump stop. At this point the players should be 50 feet apart and facing away from one another.

8. Upon completing the jump stop, each partner should pivot towards his/her partner and assume the Triple Threat Position.

9. From Triple Threat Position, partners call each other's names to begin the second leg of the Behind Back Crossover move.

10. Once the names have been called, each player dribbles quickly with his/her left hand towards the cone/chair.

11. As the player gets about 3 feet from the cone/chair, he/she gets in a low, athletic position while protecting the dribble on the left side of the body away from the cone/chair.

12. Keeping the dribble below the knee, the player crosses the ball behind him/herself from their left side to just behind the right knee securing the ball now by dribbling with the right hand.

13. While dribbling with the right hand, he/she proceeds to pass the cone/chair on the right side--the partners will be crossing sides of the cone/chair at this point.

14. After passing the cone/chair, he/she dribbles quickly towards the sideline with the right hand (i.e. the original starting position).

15. As the player reaches the sideline, he/she comes to a two-foot jump stop. At this point the players should be 50 feet apart and facing away from one another.

16. Upon completing the jump stop, each partner should pivot towards his/her partner and assume the Triple Threat Position.

17. If doing the complete "Mirror Dribbling" Series, the partners would proceed to the next dribbling drill.

Tips & Warnings

• When dribbling behind the back, try to keep your hips still and focus the movement on the wrist in moving the ball from side to side--this will allow a quicker crossover.

• Be sure to keep the dribbling low when crossing over--this will make it more difficult for the defender to get his/her hands on it.

• The cone/chair is the defender--be sure to keep the ball away from the defender.

• Be strong, balanced and controlled on jump stops.

• Be sure to communicate clearly with your partner--this drill will help to improve team communication.

• Be sure to keep your head up when you are dribbling