Download Article
Download Article
You are very close to the basket, you have the ball. With only one defensive player in front of you, and very little time to win, the future of your team rests in your hands. So what should you do? The best response is to execute one-on-one moves on the defense, provided you know how. If you want to become a pro and astonish every person and coach that sees you playing by dribbling, here are some suggestions for you to try.
Steps
-
Keep your defender guessing. To succeed, you'll need to confuse the defense, keep the defender guessing as to what you're likely to do next. This is the key for any dribbling movement to work. If the defender knows what you're going to do, then he or she will stop you, but if you keep the defender guessing, then you're in control. -
Keep the ball low and dribble with your fingers. You don't want to give the defender the ball, so keep it low and secure (protect it with your body). For a better dribble, use your fingertips to keep more control, trying to never hit the ball. [1] X Research sourceAdvertisement
-
Keep your head up.You want to know if someone is open for good a pass and the position of your defender, so dribble by feel and keep your head up. [2] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Execute the crossover dribble. This dribble is quite effective, because it allows you to use all your momentum after an easy weight shift. [3] X Research source
- With your ball in your right hand, give a step towards the right with a head fake to the same direction.
- Lower your left shoulder to look sincere.
- If your defender goes all over the right, then turn your weight and bounce the ball to your left hand in front of your defender, and go all the way to the basket!
- If your defender doesn't go over the right, then quickly run to that direction.
- Try an in and out plus a crossover. Do an in and out move (carry the ball left then right in one fluid motion). Go for an exaggerated crossover to your other hand, then drive past your opponent.
- Remember—a crossover should always involve a quick change of direction.
-
Spin. This is a very smart solution when you are going fast towards the basket. [4] X Research source
- With the ball in your right hand, go where the defender is and dribble hard towards him or her.
- Stop with your left foot forward and planted.
- Change the ball of hand and bounce it once, making a 360-degree rotation with your left foot.
- Then bounce it back with your left hand, and finally go to score!
-
Use the step jump shot. This is a very effective drill when you want space for a good shoot.
- Dribble hard towards the defender.
- In the same place where you are, make some quick stutter steps as if you're about to dribble.
- When your defender falls with your fake, use the space to quickly rise up and shoot a jump shot!
-
Execute the change of pace dribble. When you see a double-team coming, calm down, plant your front foot and straighten up slightly. Your defenders will do the same instinctively. Now that you have got them, run quickly all the way to the basket and score.
-
Execute the behind-the-back dribble. This is a very easy but effective move. [5] X Research source
- While going towards your defender running (supposing that he or she is on the right), bounce with your right hand.
- Then pass the ball behind your back, and quickly with your left hand, run all the way to the basket.
-
Stop-and-go. The stop-and-go movement involves a change in speed and its effectiveness can be used in many situations.
- With the ball aside you, protecting it from your defender, seem to be calmed down.
- Give a step or two back.
- Forwardly explode your speed and all of a sudden, overtake the defender!
-
Dribble with both hands. If you only dribble on one side, then your defender will know where are you going, but if you change the direction, then it will be harder for him or her to stop you. Therefore, try to use both hands.
Advertisement
-
Be confident about your abilities. Play as if already you were the best player out there. Don't be ashamed of doing your best effort. Play as a team, for your team and with your team, not for yourself. Just believe in yourself.Stephen Curry, Professional Basketball Player
Trust in your abilities. "When I step forward on the floor, I have the confidence that I'm the best player playing that night and that I am the most prepared at what I need to be doing."
-
Use all of the above moves on the basketball court. If you have an opportunity to execute one-on-one moves and score, do it! Enter to the paint with confidence, score and make your team win!
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow do I know what kind of defender I'm going up against?Community AnswerUse some set-up moves and see if they bite. Harder defenders won't usually fall for these as much as weaker defenders. Good defenders may also have their arms out.
-
QuestionWhat is a double dribble?Community AnswerIt's dribbling the ball, then holding it, then dribbling again.
-
QuestionWhich move or moves are best when trying to get past defenders?Community AnswerThat really depends on the type of defender you are going up against and your own play style. There is no move that will make you get past every defender, but the best move is probably a cross-over, as it is easy and really effective when done properly.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Reader Videos
Submit a Video Tip!
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Submit a Video
Coming Soon!
Tips
- If someone is better positioned than you, then pass the ball.Thanks
- Move forward to the basket to score, don't move away.Thanks
- Keep the ball low and also bounce it hard so you can dribble better.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Don't go to the same side every time because then your defender will know where you are going, change directions to keep him guessing.Thanks
- Do not excessively dribble, because then your teammates will stop trying to get open as they know they won't get the ball from you.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/ballhandling.html
- ↑ https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/ballhandling.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbkr6xiCaPU
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0MzjnMzbj4
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T49ZW9cyuWs
- Videos provided by ILoveBasketballTV
About This Article
Article Summary
X
When you’re one-on-one against a defender in basketball, there are a bunch of moves you can use to catch them off guard and get past them. Try the crossover dribble, where you step to your right and do a head fake in the same direction. If the defender takes the bait, bounce the ball to your left hand and head for the basket. You can also do a spin, where you plant your left foot, bounce the ball to your left hand, and spin 360 degrees on your left foot. This is especially effective once you’re close to the basket. Another way to protect the ball while passing a defender is to simply bounce the ball to your other hand behind your back while moving forward. For more tips, including how to get passed 2 defenders at once, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 347,099 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I think this is a life changing article since some of us really want to be basketball stars and join the NBA."
Advertisement
93%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I think this is a life changing article since some of us really want to be basketball stars and join the NBA."
"It was a good way to learn basketball moves and stay in control of the ball."
"The in-and-out dribble helped me a lot, it's a very effective move."
