Basketball Moves Breakdown - Kobe Bryant falls on a spin move

One way to look at players who fall at crossovers, is that they got owned. Another way to look at it is that they were doing their best to play tight defense and stumbled at a great move. Kobe Bryant is one of the best defenders in the NBA, and he fell at the spin move below. Check it out and learn to emulate it-

First step, stop on a dime. Watch Kobe’s feet as he’s staggering away as the ball handler stops and pulls the ball back between his legs.

Now he lowers his shoulder as if to drive in. Watch as Kobe tightens the gap. How close your man is shadowing you lets you know how good a chance you have of making them fall.

Drive in hard with your shoulder down. Just drive the length of one foot and stop as shown in the picture below.

How you dribble the ball in this step is vital. Don’t let it bounce up too high, that will delay the spin move. Hop off your front foot and spin on your back foot.

Before spinning, wrap the ball around your body and drop it on the other side. Let your body follow the motion of the arm which spins the ball back.

Notice how the back foot was planted besides Kobe’s foot, preventing Bryant from sliding over.

As you drop the ball, lower your shoulder to get momentum and blast ahead.

Watch as Kobe stumbles at the crossover.

Result being an open shot.

To recap-
- drive in hard at the top of the key and stop on a dime.
- pull the ball back between your legs.
- lower your shoulder and take one dribble as if to drive in hard.
- after the first dribble, turn your body and wrap the ball around your back.
- plant your foot and spin away into an open shot.

You can see that move, and more in this excellent collection of crossovers. The above move is at the 8 second mark.

It’s all about repetition and visualizing the outcome. Keep at it while being mindful of your footwork and how and where the ball bounces.