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Step 1
Get the basketball down low in the post under the basket. You will not be able to dunk a basketball backwards from any other spot on the court. Catch a pass under the basket or dribble along the baseline to position yourself there. These are the two most frequently seen ways to set up a backwards dunk.
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Step 2
Hold the basketball at waist level with both hands. Be sure to begin the dunking action quickly, as exposing the basketball for any length of time to defenders will get it stolen or slapped out of your grasp.
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Step 3
Position your hands on the ball with your thumbs on both sides and your fingers extended wide so that your pinkies are under the ball and nearly touching each other. Your palms will be facing up and holding the ball this way will allow you to bring it straight up over your head before you dunk it. A stop action glimpse of the proper grip for dunking backwards would almost appear that you are holding the ball up and slightly out in front of you so another player can carefully inspect it.
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Step 4
Begin your jump with the rim above you that you will be dunking the ball through directly beneath your shoulder blades. Being too far under the rim will prevent you from dunking the ball and being too far away will cause your dunk to smash against the rim, which is a very unpleasant sensation. Jump off both legs to achieve the height required. Keep the basketball close to your chest to avoid it having it knocked away before you can dunk it.
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Step 5
Bring the ball up rapidly as you leap. It should never be more than a foot to 15 inches away from your body as you rise up. Once it gets to the point even with the top of your head, bring both your elbows inwards and extend your arms up with the ball in your hands. When you feel you have enough height to clear the edge of the rim, turn your wrists back towards your body and dunk the ball through.
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Step 6
Keep your chin tucked down on your upper chest so your head will not get in the way. Having your chin tucked will also help you avoid being hit directly in the head by the ball as you dunk it backwards. Remember that at no point during the leaping portion of the dunk will you look at the rim. If you have positioned yourself correctly you will know where it is without needing to look for it.
