What is the escape dribble in basketball
The escape dribble, also referred to as the retreat dribble, consists of basketball action that occurs when an offensive player breaks away from an on-ball defender while dribbling in a reverse direction instead of advancing towards the basket as usual.
The primary purpose of the escape dribble is to alleviate defensive pressure of an on-ball defender and afterwards, the offensive player could potentially generate scoring or playmaking opportunities near the rim or near the perimeter areas of the court.
Essentially, after performing the escape dribble, the offensive player could possibly pass the ball, shoot it, or advance it towards the rim via other types of dribble moves, which could lead to multiple scoring or playmaking options.
However, it should also be stated that those options would primarily depend on the offensive player’s current court location as well as the defender’s ability to continue with pressure defense or not.
Which basketball positions typically use the escape dribble
The escape dribble could be used by any of the basketball positions but it is commonly used by the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward, as opposed to the power forward and center.
This is because the escape dribble generally occurs near the perimeter areas of the court as opposed to the low post areas.
What are the general instructions to execute the escape dribble
Protect the ball
The offensive player should initially protect the ball by turning their body sideways while keeping the ball on the opposite side of the defender.
For example, let’s say that the offensive player is initially dribbling the ball in their right hand but as that occurs, the on-ball defender implements defensive pressure.
From that point, the offensive player could protect the ball by turning their body sideways while their left foot is adjacent to the center of the on-ball defender’s body.
At the same time, the ball should be near the offensive player’s right foot, which is also the foot that is furthest from the on-ball defender.
Moreover, the offensive player could bend their elbow and use their forearm that is opposite the ball as an added barrier to keep the defender away from the ball. So, for this instance, the offensive player would bend their left elbow and use their left forearm as extra protection.
However, as a side note, the offensive player should not extend their forearm to push the defender away as that could result in an offensive foul.
Break away while dribbling
The offensive player should break away from the on-ball defender while dribbling the basketball relatively low to maintain control. This is essentially execution of the escape dribble.
Basically, the offensive player should generally move their feet laterally from side to side, similar to a defensive slide when breaking away from the defender and performing the escape dribble.
Additionally, the offensive player should typically take no more than two or three escape dribbles. Basically, the offensive player is simply trying to create enough space and separation, which ultimately relieves the on-ball defensive pressure, which could also lead to potential scoring or playmaking opportunities.
What are examples of escape dribble utilization
Example #1
For this example, an offensive point guard receives the ball via an inbound pass while standing in the backcourt.
After that, the point guard attempts to advance the ball by dribbling it with the right hand into the frontcourt to initiate the team’s basketball offense set plays or strategies.
However, in the process of doing that, an on-ball defender decides to implement backcourt pressure defense within the general strategy of man to man defense.
When that happens, the point guard should initially turn sideways to protect the ball and keep it away from the on-ball defender. Next, the point guard should utilize two or three escape dribbles while the ball is still in the right hand and then break away from the defender.
Following that, the point guard should observe the action of the on-ball defender and react accordingly. Therefore, if the on-ball defender continues to pressure the ball, then the point guard should counter with dribble moves such as a right to left behind the back dribble or spin move followed by a left-handed speed dribble into the frontcourt.
Conversely, if the on-ball defender does not continue to pressure the ball, then the point guard could utilize dribble actions such as the right to left crossover dribble or between the legs dribble followed by a left-handed speed dribble into the frontcourt.
Example #2
For this example, an offensive shooting guard has possession of the ball in the triple threat position on the right side wing. Following that, an on-ball defender implements ball pressure, in essence, to take away the potential jump shot of the shooting guard.
When that occurs, the shooting guard could use one or two escape dribbles with the right hand to alleviate the ball pressure from the on-ball defender. Next, the on-ball defender does not continue to implement defensive pressure.
When that happens, there would be enough space and separation between the shooting guard and the on-ball defender. Therefore, the shooting guard could possibly take a jump shot such as a three-pointer if it is in suitable range.
Alternatively, the shooting guard could execute a right to left dribble move and possibly drive towards the high post elbow or the lane from the right side wing.
Afterwards, the shooting guard could take a mid-range jump shot near the high post elbow, shoot a floater in the lane, or continue to drive all the way to the basket for a layup or dunk.
Example #3
For this example, an offensive small forward has possession of the ball in the triple threat position near the right side wing. From there, an on-ball defender implements pressure to take away the potential jump shot of the small forward.
So, the small forward takes one or two escape dribbles with the right hand to back away from the defender and observe the situation. When that occurs, the on-ball defender continues to pressure the ball.
This time though, the on-ball defender takes away potential middle dribble penetration to force the small forward towards the baseline.
As a result, the small forward follows the path of least resistance and executes a straight line dribble towards the baseline while the on-ball defender continues to shade near the small forward’s left hip.
From that point, the small forward could execute a step back move to take a mid-range shot if that is possible. As another option, the small forward could continue to drive towards the basket and score via a layup or dunk.
Furthermore, if the small forward drives to the basket but the opportunity to score is not available, then the small forward could possibly execute a kick pass to a teammate on the strong side or even a drift pass to a teammate near the weak side for additional scoring opportunities near the perimeter areas of the court.
Example #4
For this example, an offensive point guard has possession of the ball via an inbound pass in the backcourt. After that occurs, an on-ball defender immediately takes away the point guard’s ability to go towards the left side by implementing pressure defense near the point guard’s left hip.
This influences the point guard to dribble with the right hand towards the right side of the court, particularly near the sideline. However, as the point guard continues to dribble towards the frontcourt, another off-ball defender sprints toward the point guard to set up trap defense near the sideline alongside the initial on-ball defender.
When the point guard sees this happening, the point guard should use two or three escape dribbles to stay away from the trap. Afterwards, the point guard should counter with a right to left dribble move such as a crossover, between the legs, or behind the back dribble.
Following that, the point guard should use a speed dribble towards the frontcourt with the left hand as quickly as possible.
Example #5
To start this example, an offensive point guard dribbles into the frontcourt and at the same time, an on-ball defender implements defensive pressure.
To alleviate that initial pressure, the point guard immediately calls for an on-ball screen from an offensive center, who was initially near the right side low post block.
However, as the point guard uses the ball screen and dribbles towards the right side of the court, the screener’s defender (i.e. the defensive player covering the offensive center) swiftly institutes a defensive blitz with aggressive pressure alongside the on-ball defender.
When this occurs, the point guard should immediately back away from the blitz by using two or three escape dribbles with the right hand.
At the same time, the center who set the screen should execute a short roll near the point guard and behind the two blitzing defenders.
Next, the point guard should quickly throw a pocket pass between the two defenders to the center, who could then catch the ball and score or pass to additional teammates.
Alternatively, if the point guard cannot complete the pocket pass, it is also possible for other teammates to lift towards the wings areas to give the point guard more potential passing options.