Master the Wing Between the Legs Dribble Pull Up with Step Back
This advanced shooting drill is designed for guards and wings looking to create elite separation off the dribble in tight game situations. By combining a sharp between-the-legs handle with an explosive lateral step back, you will develop the complex footwork and core balance necessary to score against aggressive defenders. This sequence simultaneously sharpens your ball-handling precision and your ability to knock down high-difficulty shots off the bounce.
How to Perform This Drill
- Setup: Start at the slot or top of the key, dribbling hard toward the wing with your outside hand to simulate a driving angle.
- Initiate: Plant your inside foot firmly and execute a quick, snappy between-the-legs dribble, transferring the ball from your outside hand to your inside hand.
- Separate: As the ball hits your inside hand, immediately push off your planted front foot into a lateral step back to create distance from your imaginary defender.
- Align: Land on balance on the balls of your feet, quickly squaring your hips and shoulders to the rim.
- Execute: Gather the ball smoothly into your shooting pocket and rise up for the jump shot without drifting.
- Repeat: Perform the drill for the prescribed number of reps, then switch sides to practice the move going in the opposite direction.
Why This Drill Works
In modern basketball, the ability to create your own shot is what separates average players from go-to scorers. This drill forces you to master the mechanics of deceleration and stabilization, simulating the exact movement needed to shake a defender who has cut off your driving lane. It trains your neuromuscular system to regain balance instantly after explosive lateral movement, ensuring your shooting mechanics remain consistent even when your momentum is carrying you away from the basket.
Pro Tips
- Sell the Drive: Your initial dribble must look like an aggressive attack on the rim; if you don't force the defender to drop their hips and retreat, your step back won't create open space.
- Stay Low: Maintain a low center of gravity throughout the move. If you raise your hips before the step back, you lose explosiveness and telegraph your intention to the defense.
- Quick Pickup: Focus on the speed of your gather; minimize the time between your last dribble and your release to prevent the defense from recovering for a contest.
- Stick the Landing: Do not fade away unless necessary. Your goal is to stop your momentum and jump straight up and down to maximize shooting accuracy.