What separates great basketball players from good players is the time, effort, and commitment made in the gym when it is just you and the basketball. This basketball dribbling drill will work on a player’s speed, comfort, and awareness with the basketball. Adding a second basketball while completing the combination moves will challenge good players to become great. This two ball basketball dribbling drill will focus on the between the legs behind the back combination move.
The basketball drill will be executed as if the player was completing the combination move with one basketball, but to increase the difficulty, a second ball will be making a crossover move (in front of their body). This two ball drill will challenge basketball players to improve, not only with their ball-handling skills, but timing, rhythm, athletic stance, and comfort with the basketball as well.
Basketball Drill Overview
Drill Name: Two Ball Between the Legs Behind the Back Basketball Dribbling Drill
Equipment Needed: 2 basketballs.
Similar Basketball Drills and Resources
- Two-Ball Behind the Back Crossover 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.
- Push you beyond your comfort zone.
- Increase your speed with the basketball.
- Work on the between the legs behind the back move.
Coaching Points
- Maintain a low, athletic stance throughout the basketball drill. Try not to move up and down with your body as you execute the between the legs, behind the back, and crossover dribbles.
- Challenge yourself to keep your eyes up and to look downcourt the whole time.
- Use your fingers to pound the ball hard with each dribble.
- Work to keep the between the legs behind the back dribble sequence tight and quick. Focus on the reception of the ball from the first move (between the legs) into the second move (behind the back). Make sure the ball is received cleanly from one hand to the other.
- Keep the crossover dribble in front, low, and below your waist.
- Mistakes are expected; challenge yourself to keep eyes up, pound the ball, and increase speed. You should turn the ball over 2-3 times if you are pushing beyond your comfort zone.
- If the continuous between the legs behind the back dribble sequence is too advanced, you can add in 1-3 stationary dribbles between each move. Make sure to keep a consistent rhythm and still focus on the details.
Basketball Drill Instructions
- The basketball player will start in an athletic stance with a ball in each hand.
- The player will take one stationary dribble with their left hand (ball 1) and then go between their legs to establish timing. While the between the legs 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 between the legs dribble is completed (ball 1) and is received into the player’s right hand, they will immediately dribble the ball behind their back to get it back to their left hand. As the behind-the-back dribble is being executed, the player will continue to make a cross over move in front (ball 2); going from left hand back to the right.
- Continue this sequence of between the legs, behind the back for the desired amount of time, then switch the direction of the between the legs dribble and which hand starts the move.
- If needed, to regain rhythm or work up the drill’s complexity, you can add in 1-3 stationary dribbles between combination moves.
Recommended Time, Scoring, and Repetitions
- Typically for this basketball dribbling drill, 30-45 seconds per hand is the recommended amount of time.
- To vary the drill, you could change the sequence and type of combination moves being executed or add or reduce time.
- To modify the drill for less advanced basketball players, you can add an extra 1-3 stationary dribbles in between each combination move.
- Another way to modify the basketball drill would be to have players pass the ball (ball 2) across their body to switch from one hand to the other, rather than executing a crossover dribble. The other basketball would still be completing the between the legs, behind the back combination move.
Two-Ball Between the Legs Behind the Back Basketball Dribbling Drill Conclusion
This basketball drill will help players work on their ball-handling by focusing on the reception of the dribble from one move (between the legs) to the next (behind the back) cleanly and efficiently. Once a basketball player can transition seamlessly between the different combinations, they will have improved their rhythm, timing, speed, and explosiveness with the basketball.
The second ball’s addition in this dribbling drill challenges basketball players beyond their comfort zone to master the original skill while adding another dynamic of the crossover dribble in front.
Great basketball players thrive on challenges, and this two ball basketball dribbling drill allows players to work on the mastery of this skill with the team or even on their own at home. As a basketball coach, you want your players to be able to execute more complex skills well. That way, when they get into a game situation with only one ball, they have the confidence and skill set to be successful.
