How to beat defenders in basketball

3 Keys to Blowing Past Your Defender

by Jefferson Mason, on Feb 9, 2018 5:03:55 PM

Dr. Dish Basketball is back at it with 3 great ways to blow past your defender.

Every player is looking and searching for ways to create scoring opportunities for themselves and also teammates. Most players think that they need to have an advanced double or triple move to blow past a defender but most of the time a quick move paired with properly reading the defender is enough. 

The game of basketball is extremely fast moving and players on the offensive and defensive side of the floor must make quick decisions when the game is in action. This is why developing great habits is extremely important and will help players naturally make great split second decisions on the court.

The more comfortable a player gets at the level they are playing at, the slower the game becomes. This doesn't actually mean the game slows down but it does become easier for players to settle in rather then run around aimlessly because of excitement or fear.

Players: Please make sure you are playing and thinking the game with pace. At times you will need to play and think fast and sometimes you need to slow down and allow a play to develop. Understanding the difference is the beginning step in being able to blow past your defender.

1. UNDERSTANDING AND PROPERLY ATTACKING YOUR DEFENDER'S STANCE

One of the most important things defenders are taught is how to close out and to stay on the balls of their feet. The reason this is so important is because great offensive players know how to destroy a player whose close-out is suspect.

Many times you will see defenders shading towards the weak hand because they don't believe offensive players are skilled or athletic enough to attack that way. This is why it's very beneficial to have the skill set to go either way. When the defender shades one way, sweep and attack that way to force them to cut you off. If you go straight to the basket with purpose, the defender should have no chance to stop you getting to the rim without fouling. If they are able to cut you off, the side step, euro step, or spin move is a great way to slice across the defender for the easy finish. 

Another way to take advantage of your defender is to attack their high top foot. When a defender is shading one direction that doesn't mean you have to go that way every time. Attacking the top foot gives you an opportunity to turn the corner on your defender and also forces them to step backwards before they can slide into position. Once again a quick sweep-and-go is a great way to blow past for a lay-up and a great way to get your defender off balance for a one dribble pull-up. By simply being able to read the subtle differences in your defenders stance and understanding your own strengths, you can create a blow by scoring opportunity.

2. CHANGE OF PACE

The next way you can blow past your defender is to utilize change of pace. What players fail to realize is that it's easier to guard someone if they are going the same speed the entire time.

The offensive players that are able to decelerate and slow down then explode to the next spot are the ones that create space for scoring opportunities. When you have the basketball and are in a one on one situation, the goal is to force the defender to make a mistake or hesitate.

One great way to do this is simply attack the defender and force them to get on your hip or shoulder. When this happens decelerate and slow down. This will cause the defender to also decelerate and get out of position. Follow that with an explosion towards the scoring location you want to get to. A lot of times the subtle change in pace will get a defender to stand up or get out of their defensive stance. This minor change will give you the advantage to blow past your defender and more times than not lead to a scoring opportunity or a foul.

One of the best at doing this is John Wall. While he is incredibly quick and fast, one of the reasons he's so successful is because of his change of pace.

3. UTILIZE DOWNHILL MOMENTUM

Utilizing downhill momentum is one of the best ways to put your defender in a compromising situation and ultimately blow past them. Downhill momentum opportunities can come from many different situations during the game including the fast break or even the secondary break. If you're able to catch the ball on the move, make sure to utilize that momentum to attack the defense. It's much tougher to blow past your defender when standing still and/or flatfooted. 

It's great to use quick changes of direction in the fast break because defenders are often moving backwards at a fast speed and it's extremely difficult to slide over at the same time. Often times you'll see players like LeBron James and Russell Westbrook actually retreat dribble backwards away from their defender. Then you'll see them go straight at the defender downhill using a quick move to blow past them. In this situation, usually the defender will have to guess which direction you're attacking.

If you can read the defenders footing properly, it will almost be impossible for them to stop you as you create downhill momentum. There will almost always need to be a second line defender there to help. If this happens you've done your job and created an open opportunity for another teammate to score. 

These three expert ways to blow past your defender can be easily implemented into any player's game because they don't require a player to be overly athletic, quick, and strong. These opportunities come from thinking the game through and understanding the situations the game and your defender gives you. Players like James Harden have mastered these blow past techniques and that's why he scores so effortlessly and draws so many fouls. He's obviously an unbelievably talented player, but players at the high school level can master these techniques as well.

For great workouts and basketball drills to work on your offensive game, be sure to visit and subscribe to our YouTube page and check out this page. Knowledge is power and this leads to success so make sure to always train hard, train smart and train with a purpose!

6 Basketball Moves You Need to Beat Any Defender

Many players believe they need complex basketball moves to be a great ball-handler.

Instead of sticking to the basics, they want to learn the "advanced moves".

For example, the "double-crossover-spin-hesi-jumper” or the “triple-spin-back-cross-pullup”.

(yes, I made these up)

But the truth is…

By perfecting 6 fundamental basketball moves, you'll have everything you need to explode past any defender on the court.

They'll allow you to:

a. Get to the rim with ease (to create a shot for yourself or a teammate)

b. Fly past your opponent when you’re quickly bringing the ball up the court.

Below, I’ve broken down what the 6 basketball moves are and how you can use them in a game.

1. Crossover Dribble

The crossover involves bouncing the basketball in front of you from one hand to the other.

It’s most often used when a player wants to change directions and they’re not being tightly guarded by a defender who could poke the ball away.

This is the easiest basketball move for players to perform, and is the first move a player will start practicing when they first start learning how to dribble.

But don’t let the simplicity fool you…

The crossover is used by players at all levels to blow past an opponent.

Crossover Dribble Video:

2. Through the Legs Dribble

The through-the-legs basketball move involves crossing the basketball over from one hand to the other, but putting the ball between your legs.

A small difference from a regular crossover, but an important one.

When the ball is passed between the legs, the front leg offers protection from a defender reaching in and also ensures the ball is further away from the defense.

The timing and coordination needed for this move can make it difficult for young players, but it’s effective when players learn how to stay low and explode out of it.

Through the Legs Dribble Video:

3. Behind the Back Dribble

Similar to through the legs, the behind the back dribble allows players to switch the ball from one hand to the other while protecting the basketball.

With this move, the entire body protects the ball as a player wraps the ball behind them.

One of the biggest benefits of going behind the back is the ball can be passed out in front of your opposite hand which allows an offensive player to attack quickly.

So if a defender lunges in to steal the basketball while on the fast break, a quick behind the back dribble can help you protect the ball and evade the defender without breaking stride.

Behind the Back Dribble Video:

4. Hesitation Dribble

The hesitation dribble involves dribbling with speed, slowing down for a split-second, and then exploding past your defender.

It’s a straight-line basketball move often used in transition to beat a defender and attack the rim or create a shot for a teammate.

The goal with the hesitation dribble is to trick the defender into thinking you’re about to stop. This can be achieved by slightly raising your body, looking up to the rim like you’re about to shoot, looking up at a teammate, or a combination.

When a defender notices you slowing down, they’ll do the same in order to stay in good defensive position...

With the defender losing their momentum, you’ll be able to explode past them to the rim.

Hesitation Dribble Video:

5. In-and-Out Dribble

The in-and-out dribble move is designed to trick the defender into thinking you’re about to perform a regular crossover.

This is a great basketball move for players first learning the game of basketball.

Keeping the basketball in one hand, the offensive player uses a head and shoulders fake while moving the ball inside and then back out by switching the position of their hand on the ball.

It’s most commonly used in transition to get a defender to shift their weight from one direction to another which opens up a driving lane to attack.

In-and-Out Video Dribble:

6. Spin Move

The spin move is one of the most difficult basketball moves to learn, but it’s an important weapon for players to have in their dribbling repertoire.

It involves planting your inside foot and reverse-pivoting around a defender while dragging the basketball with you.

This can be a difficult move for young players to execute, but it’s quick and effective when a player has put in the work practicing it.

It’s important that players ensure their hand stays on top of the basketball. If the hand slips under, referees will whistle the dribbler for a carrying violation.

Spin Move Video:

Conclusion

A quick warning...

Don't try to overcomplicate it.

The players who try to do "too much" are the same players who will pump fake four times, dribble six times through their legs, and then dribble twice behind their back without ever making their defender move and inch.

Instead, you want to keep your basketball moves simple and effective.

Mastering the fundamentals is key.

An original way to beat a defender in basketball

Hello, dear visitors of basketball-training.org.ua (how long have I not written this phrase…). A few days ago, while playing basketball on one of the courts in Kharkov, I ran into a player who, when beating, used one very interesting trick that I myself like to use (but which had not yet been used against me until now).

It was then that I realized how effective this method can be, especially if it is performed by a player who is not as slow as me. Yes, I'm really far from the fastest player, so most of my "feints", if you can call them that, are based on using the opponent's speed against him (and a little physics, which you can still come in handy even on the basketball court).

So, today we're going to talk about the defender's supporting leg, the leg where the weight is transferred, and which we will use for our own purposes. Let's get started.

3 elements to beat successfully

First, you must get the ball in position from which you can attack the ring. Well, or your defender must think that you can do it. Everything is trite, but nevertheless, over and over again I come across the fact that the majority are either just too lazy to spend their energy on getting rid of guardianship and they ask for the ball a couple of meters from the three-point line, from where it is very problematic to threaten the ring. Or they just don't know how to open up.

Topic article: 3 easy ways to get the ball in basketball

So, your goal is to get the ball at least on the three-point line, as much as possible already inside the arc. This move will not work if you get the ball under the basket or on the edge of the three-second zone.

The second stage is to stagger the defender 2-3 times, simulating a pass. You just do a few lunges to the side, and at this point you need to concentrate on the legs of the defender: which of them is his weight on. Which leg becomes his support during the execution of your false display for the passage. Did you see?

The third point is the passage itself. If you know which foot the defender is on, where his weight is concentrated at the time of your deceptive movements, then you should know the following: he will not be able to step with this foot. In any case, for this the defender will have to shift the weight to the other foot - and even if he is very fast, these fractions of a second will be enough for you to beat him.

Yes, this technique will not work every time. Yes, you will not beat the defender with 100% probability. But by using this trick, you can buy time and create space. Another "trick" - step as close as possible to his supporting leg: even if he reacts very quickly, he will most likely break the rules.

How to defend yourself against such a technique?

No matter how interesting and promising the above trick looks, there is a defense against it and it is quite simple.

First method: block the attacker's strong side from the passage, positioning yourself at almost a 90 degree angle to it. Either close your weak side (let the player go to your strong side, or to the side where there is a safety net). This is a budget way. You save energy, but still give the attacking player more freedom of action.

The second way is to do hellish footwork. I won't tell you too much, it's better to look at the video, as Andre Iguudala shows in the video for Nike:

See the topic: Nike Signature Moves Part 1

where is your body weight now. Of the minuses - an unprepared player after 2-3 such defenses will “sit down” very much and become slow in defense.

The third option - get as close as possible to the player, even in the process of receiving the ball. Thus, the attacker will not have much time to think: on which leg is your weight concentrated, where to stagger you, etc.

Small conclusions

• The method described above is suitable for a measured pace of the game, even more so for a streetball match in which there are no quick breaks and the probability of an effective 1v1 beat is much greater.
• The method described above is not a panacea, but simply one of the ways to use the laws of physics and the lack of experience of the defending player.
• This method is difficult to use in its pure form if you are far from the basket (1-2 meters from the three-point line) or if the defender is very active.
• Defending against such a technique is quite simple, the main thing is to understand that the opponent is going to use it (most often, he looks at your feet).

And this concludes the article, I wish you successful training, success in both attacking and defensive actions and I look forward to seeing you on the pages of this site.

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Maxim Gordienko

The best trick in basketball

Nikita Yamshchikov, founder of Ball In