Two ball basketball dribbling drills are a great tool to maximize efficiency and truly challenge a player’s comfort and control with the basketball. Players must execute their dribble moves, low, tight, and quick with not only one ball but continuously with two. The use of two basketballs forces the player to work on ball handling with both of their hands simultaneously, rather than being able to rely only on their dominant hand.
This particular two ball drill will focus on the behind the back crossover combination sequence with one basketball while adding another ball to perform a second crossover dribble. The players will be repeating and executing these dribble moves as quickly as possible, therefore working on the reception of the ball and tightness of the dribble with both hands continuously.
Basketball Drill Overview
Drill Name: Behind the Back Crossover Two Ball Basketball Dribbling Drill
Equipment Needed: 2 basketballs.
Similar Basketball Drills and Resources
- Two-Ball Between the Legs Behind the Back Basketball Dribbling Drill
- Two-Ball Crossover Rhythm Basketball Dribbling Drill
- Two-Ball Reverse Between the Legs Behind the Back Basketball Dribbling Drill
Goals of the Drill
- Work on ball handling and developing both hands.
- Maximize time by working on both hands at the same time.
Coaching Points
- Players need to use their fingers to pound the ball hard with each dribble and really focus on controlling the basketballs.
- Challenge players to keep their eyes up and continue to increase speed. Players should turn the ball over 2-3 times if they’re are pushing beyond their comfort zone.
- Maintain a low, athletic stance throughout the duration of the drill (30 seconds in each direction). Players should try not to move up and down with their body as they execute the behind the back and crossover dribbles.
- Work to keep the behind the back crossover dribble sequence low, tight, and quick. Focus on the reception of the ball from the first move (behind the back) into the second move (crossover with both basketballs). Make sure the ball is received cleanly from one hand to the other.
Basketball Drill Instructions
- The player will start in an athletic stance with a basketball in each hand.
- The player will take one stationary dribble with their left hand (ball 1) and then go behind their back to establish timing. While the behind the back dribble is going from left hand to right hand, the ball that began in the player’s right hand (ball 2) will be crossed over in front to their left hand.
- As soon as the behind the back dribble is completed (ball 1) and is received into the player’s right hand, they will immediately execute a crossover dribble to get it (ball 1) back to their left hand. Simultaneously, they will be making a crossover dribble with the other basketball (ball 2) to get it from their left hand back to their right.
- The player will essentially make a two ball crossover dribble in front immediately after completing the behind the back move.
- Continue this sequence of behind the back, crossover for the desired amount of time, then switch the direction of the behind the back dribble and which hand starts the move.
Recommended Time, Scoring, and Repetitions
- The recommended time for this drill will be a total of 60 seconds, 30 seconds for each direction of the move. After completing the moves in one direction for 30 seconds, the player can take a brief break before completing the same drill and ball-handling sequence in the other direction (beginning with the other hand) for 30 seconds.
- To vary the basketball dribbling drill, you could have the players change the sequence and type of combination moves being executed or add or reduce time to 30 seconds.
- As the player advances and can execute the combination ball-handling moves at a high level, you could have them walk toward half-court rather than stay stationary.
- Another way to modify the basketball drill would be to have the players pass the ball (ball 2) across the front of their body to switch from one hand to the other, rather than executing a crossover dribble with both basketballs. Therefore, the players would just be doing one crossover dribble (immediately after the behind the back move); and then passing ball 2 across from one hand to the other, rather than dribbling it.
- If needed, for players to regain rhythm or work up to the complexity of the dribbling drill, the player can add in 1-3 stationary dribbles between combination moves.
Behind the Back Crossover Two Ball Basketball Dribbling Drill Conclusion
This two ball basketball dribbling drill will challenge players to push beyond their comfort zone; it will work on their speed, control, and familiarity with the basketball. The addition of the second ball in this basketball drill will enable good players to become great. The ability to execute a second change of direction move immediately after the first will also allow players to create separation from the defense. Once a player can create separation, they will produce a scoring opportunity for themselves or a teammate.
Regardless of whether you are in a gym, outside, or have limited space or resources, this drill will improve a player’s confidence and awareness with the basketball in their hands. Not only will this drill help players work on their ball handling, reception of the dribble, and ease with the ball, they will also improve their athletic stance, rhythm, and timing.
