How to Execute One on One Basketball Moves

Co-authored by Ryan Tremblay

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Approved

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.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Staying in Control

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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.
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]
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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]
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Part 2

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Using Effective Tactics

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1
Execute the crossover dribble. This dribble is quite effective, because it allows you to use all your momentum after an easy weight shift.^{[3]
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- 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.
2
Spin. This is a very smart solution when you are going fast towards the basket.^{[4]
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- 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!
3
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!
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.
5
Execute the behind-the-back dribble. This is a very easy but effective move.^{[5]
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- 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.
6
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!
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.

Part 3

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Increasing Your Confidence

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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."
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!

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Question

How do I know what kind of defender I'm going up against?

Community Answer

Use 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.

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What is a double dribble?

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It's dribbling the ball, then holding it, then dribbling again.

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Which move or moves are best when trying to get past defenders?

Community Answer

That 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.

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Tips

If someone is better positioned than you, then pass the ball.

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Move forward to the basket to score, don't move away.

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Keep the ball low and also bounce it hard so you can dribble better.

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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.

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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.

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