It is essential for any guard in basketball to able to change up speeds and sell different moves. If a basketball player plays at one pace or is predictable, the defender will be able to anticipate their moves and then cut them off. Changing speeds will allow ball handlers to be less predictable and allow them to get angles past a defender.
This basketball ball handling drill will allow the ball handler to work on putting multiple dribbling moves together by using one move to set up the next. This drill will work on a ball handler’s ability to then change their pace on the second move from a slow move to a quick, violent move. Regardless of the actual dribble combo, this basketball drill will allow them to set up a defender and then use the second move to go around them.
Basketball Drill Overview
Drill Name: Moving Slow to Fast Behind the Back Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill
Equipment Needed: One basketball.
Similar Basketball Drills and Resources
- Slow to Fast Between the Legs Behind the Back Dribbling Drill
- Slow to Fast Behind the Back Crossover Drill
Goals of the Drill
- Work on a ball handler’s ability to change speeds from a slow move to a quick, violent move.
- Develop a ball handler’s ability to put dribbling combinations together, such as a behind the back into a crossover combo.
- Work on a ball handler’s ability to use their eyes and upper body to help set up the different moves.
Coaching Points
- Make sure players don’t rise out of their athletic stance as they go through the drill. They want to be able to go from move to move quickly. Staying in an athletic stance allows them to do that.
- Make sure your player is focused on changing their speed from slow to fast while doing the behind the back into a crossover combo.
- Players need to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves; this may mean losing control of the ball from time to time. Make sure that you are encouraging this as they go through the drill.
- As the player is going through the drill, they should be visualizing the defender in front of them and really looking to sell every move.
Basketball Drill Instructions
- The player will start on the baseline with the basketball.
- When the drill starts, they will begin dribbling the basketball, and while moving forward, they will execute a behind the back move at about 30% speed.
- As soon as the ball comes into their other hand, though, they will snap it back over in front with a crossover at 100% speed.
- The player will continue this pattern forward, focusing on changing up speeds and executing the same move.
- After the desired amount of reps or distance, the player will then execute the move starting with the other hand.
Recommended Time, Steps, Scoring, and Repetitions
- Have the player do this drill from the baseline to the half-court line and then back to the baseline starting with the other hand.
- If you have limited space, have the player go out to the free-throw line and then walk back backward and go between the legs as they walk. They can then reset on the baseline and repeat the drill, starting it with the opposite hand.
Moving Slow to Fast Behind the Back Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill Conclusion
This one ball basketball dribbling drill will allow your players to use a behind the back dribble at a slower speed to set up a crossover move at a quicker, more violent pace. This combination of moves and speeds will allow your player to be less predictable and give them a better opportunity to go around a good defender.
If the player can master this move, it will make them a more efficient and explosive offensive basketball player. It will allow them to create scoring angles for themselves or set up a teammate for a quality look. This will be essential for your team’s offense and for making the defense have to shift and rotate in the help.
