Master the Double Behind the Back Dribble Combo Pull Up
This advanced shooting drill is designed for guards and wings who need to create their own offense when plays break down. By fusing elite ball-handling with lateral agility, the Double Behind the Back Dribble Combo Pull Up challenges you to manufacture separation in tight windows against aggressive defenders. This exercise is critical for developing the coordination required to transition instantly from a complex dribble move into a rhythm jump shot.
How to Perform This Drill
- Setup: Begin at the top of the key in a low, athletic stance with the ball in your right hand, visualizing a defender guarding you closely.
- Initiate: Execute a hard pound dribble, then quickly snap the ball behind your back from right to left to freeze your defender.
- Compound: Without pausing, immediately snap the ball back behind your back from left to right while simultaneously sliding your feet laterally to create a window of space.
- Gather: Plant your feet quickly and firmly to establish a balanced base, ensuring your hips and shoulders are squared to the rim.
- Finish: Explode vertically into your jump shot with a smooth, high release, holding your follow-through until the ball hits the net.
- Repeat: Perform the drill for the prescribed number of reps, then switch starting hands to ensure you can execute the move from both sides of the floor.
Why This Drill Works
In high-level basketball, straight-line drives are often cut off by help defense, requiring you to change direction and shoot in a split second. This drill works because it uses "progressive overload" on your coordination; by chaining two difficult dribble moves together, you force your body to maintain balance and rhythm under duress. It trains your neuromuscular system to separate your lower body movement (lateral sliding) from your upper body mechanics (shooting), resulting in a more fluid and unguardable pull-up jumper during game situations.
Pro Tips
- Stay Low: Keep your hips dropped throughout the double move. Rising up out of your stance before the shot allows the defense to recover and ruins your explosive leverage.
- Snap the Wrist: Don't just guide the ball behind you; snap your wrist aggressively. The faster the ball moves, the quicker you can get into your shooting pocket.
- Eyes on the Rim: Locate the rim with your eyes as soon as the second dribble hits the floor. Early target acquisition increases your shooting percentage significantly.
- Pace Change: Experiment with the rhythm. Try a slow-to-fast cadence to throw off the defender's timing before you rise up for the shot.