3 Basketball Dribbling Moves All Players Must Master

Some basketball dribbling moves get more attention than others in the game of basketball. Most players love to go between the legs even when it’s not necessary.

But so many players don’t understand that the fundamentals are a tried and true foundation for any successful player. And mastering just the basics will help your game way more than trying to have a million and one moves.

So here are three basketball dribbling moves that you will need in your arsenal if you’re looking to take your game to the next level.

Basketball Dribbling Moves

The Crossover Dribble

If you watch players like Michael Jordan and Tim Hardaway to name a couple as I did growing up, you know the power of mastering this move. If you can cross over and change direction at will you are virtually unstoppable on the court.

Basically to do this move you need to understand one thing. The actual crossover is low. Most players don’t truly master this move and end up getting their pockets picked. To correctly do this move, you’ll want to add a little rocking motion and then cross the ball over from one hand to the next below your knee in front of your lead foot.

If you still doubt me on this, to out and check out some old tape on those two guys.

The Fake Crossover, In-And-Out or Inside Change Dribble

This is a move you’ll want to master for a few reasons. First it is a perfect setup move. Second, it is a perfect blow-by move to get around a defender move. And third it is the perfect combination move.

You’ll need to read the defense with this one. But in my opinion it is the perfect move because you have the ball in your hands so much with the move it’s almost impossible to get it stolen from you if you do it right. However, if done wrong, you’ll almost always get a traveling call against you from the ref. So do this move right and definitely master this move.

The Stop-And-Go or Hesitation Dribble

I picked this move up from Isaiah Tomas. This move is great because it freezes the defense and again, if done correctly is virtually unstoppable.

What you’ll want to do is freeze for a second and raise your body, and then blow by the defense. Read the defense and when you notice the defense has relaxed a little blow by them. With this move as with the fake crossover move, again, the ball is in your hands. That is important and why like moves that keep the ball in your hands. The same thing applies to the spin dribble. The ball is in your hands more than it is in the air on the bounce.

So go out and master these three moves. It’s not always necessary to think you need to have every move in the book. Study the greats and you’ll notice that they kept it simple and they were fundamentally sound. Sure you may not wow the crowd as much with fewer moves. But you sure will be more effective on the court.

Tagged as: ball handling, basketball dribbling, basketball dribbling moves, dribbling moves, hesitation dribble