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Skills & Moves
For players,
you must practice the basics at least every other day.
Do them slowly and ensure you do them correct.
Repetition is important so repeat your skill 10 times
before progressing to the next one. Below are some
examples of skills, which you can learn and practice.
Remember to
do them slowly and properly, sometimes the slower and
more controlled a move, the better.
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Between The Legs |
Spin Dribble |
Another way to change directions
and protect the ball is with a
between the legs dribble. As you
approach the defender, take one
stride forwards, leaving the
other foot in place. Dribble the
ball between your legs and
maintain the dribble with your
other hand. Change your
direction with a big step and
continue past the defender.
You will become better with
practice. Practice dribbling
through your legs whenever you
can, even when you are sat down,
pass the ball back and forth
which will allow your hands to
get used to controlling the ball
this way.
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Dribble in one direction then
quickly pause, make a reverse pivot,
then take an extra dribble with the
same hand, then push the ball in
front of you, switch hands, and
explode past the defender. Keep your
dribble low on the spin dribble to
avoid carrying the ball.
Your hand must stay above the half
way mark off the ball.
If you're
dribbling right and need to go left
- stop, plant your left foot and
pivot on it as you spin in the
opposite direction with your back to
the defender. Keep the ball close to
your body as you spin and switch it
to your left hand. As you complete
the turn, dribble with your left
hand and keep your head up to see
the floor. Follow the same principle
for the other hand.
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Change of Pace |
Behind The Back |
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The idea here is to make your
defender think you are slowing down
and then, as they relax, you speed
right by them. As you slow down,
straighten slightly, plant your lead
foot and bring your head up a bit.
This creates the illusion that you
are about to stop and your defender
will relax. Then accelerate quickly
and use a low dribble to get by the
defender. Practice this going from
slow to fast and back to slow again.
It's very difficult to defend once
you perfect it!
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Another
way to change direction and you'll
always maintain visual contact with
the game, your team mates and the
defender. If you're dribbling with
your right hand, slide your hand to
the outside of the ball as you put
your weight on your right foot.
Flick the ball behind your back
above the back of your knee and
across the back of your thigh as you
move your left foot forward. Cushion
the ball with your left hand and
continue dribbling. Make sure to get
your left leg forward so the ball
has room to come under your left
hand for a smooth transition.
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Pull Back Dribble + In & Out |
Crossover |
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This will give you space if you're
double-teamed or you are under
pressure. Retreat two steps back as
you use the low, control dribble.
Use a step-slide movement by pushing
off your front foot and sliding back
with your rear foot. As always, keep
your head up and keep dribbling
until you can pass it off.
Remember to keep your body in
between the ball & defender.
In & Out is a move which creates
space and time for you to shoot. You
step into the defender, which causes
the defender to retreat and then
pull back 2 steps |
When your foot on the dribbling side
contacts the floor, push off hard
toward your opposite foot and bounce
the ball across your body with a
quick flick of your wrist and
fingers (flick the ball with your
dribbling hand by pushing from
slightly outside the ball). The
lower you bounce the ball, the
quicker your crossover. Take a step
with the foot on the receiving side
as your receiving hand gets the ball
on a short hop. Quickness is
extremely important with this move.
Be careful not to lose control of
the ball, as it will more than
likely go straight to the defender.
This drill is probably the most
effective offensive tool, but it is
almost the most susceptible to a
turnover if performed wrong.
The only way to perfect this move
and reduce potential turnovers is to
practice, practice & practice!
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Double Crossover |
Game Time Shake n Bake |
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The double crossover gives the
defender the false impression you
will move in one direction, before
quickly bursting in the other
direction.
The simplest way to do this is:
Perform the crossover and then cross
back
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The shake n bake is a move that
involves shaking the body at the
instance of hesitation between
choosing direction.
As you move towards the defender,
straighten up slightly and cushion
the ball in one hand. shake your
shoulders slightly forward and
backward before crossing the ball
over low
Be careful not to over shake,
otherwise the defender will not
'fall' for your move.
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Penetration |
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Penetration is a driving motion into
the key. Your intention should be to
score or to pass once inside the
key. Attacking players are only
allowed three seconds in the key, so
when penetrating, your move should
be pre meditated and direct, meaning
you should plan what you are going
to do and be quick!
If you're going to penetrate, you
must move your defender out of the
driving lane (the imaginary line
between you and the basket). Using
fakes can help you do this. Fakes
like foot fakes, head fakes or ball
fakes can all be effective in moving
the defender out of the way.
You can also create space, using the
skills/moves above.
Once you are past your defender, you
must read the defence and finish the
play properly. There are basically
three ways to finish the play
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Finishing |
Once you have developed these skills
& moves, you will find it easier to
go by defenders. It is very
important to learn when to do
something and what to do. There is
little use in repeating a flashy
move over and over, but getting no
further. Below is some crucial
advice for taking advantage of your
new skills and 'finishing' the play.
1) If the driving lane is open all
the way, drive in for the lay-up. Be
quick & strong.
2) If a defender on one of your
perimeter team mates comes in to
stop you, pass to your now open team
mate for the now open jump shot.
3) If a post defender steps up to
block you, pass inside to the now
open post player for the easy lay
up.
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(c) Game Time
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