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How to beat your defender in basketball
How to beat your defender in basketball
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.
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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.
not all useful materials on basketball training are published on the site. You can find additional information about training, ask a question or share your success in our community on the social network Vkontakte: https://vk.com/uroki_basketbola
Maxim Gordienko
The best trick in basketball
Nikita Yamshchikov, founder of Ball In
@nikyamschikov
One of the most popular questions, especially among young basketball players: what is the best trick to beat all defenders?
I have already touched on this topic in the video. Now I decided to answer the question in detail in this article.
The same video. Take a look - it will be useful.
First, let's understand: what is a trick? When you planted your defender, ran away from the second and missed the free throw from under the basket - did you make a run? And if you scored with resistance from the average - did you beat it?
The main task in basketball is to score more points than the opponent.
Therefore, a beat is when you hit the ring. A detailed discussion of the topic is in another article.
What is actually a basketball game?
Go to article
Starting from this understanding of the play, we find that the first and best move is the throw. If the defender is standing far away from you and does not think to approach, the best solution is to score the ball right away. No need to complicate. The only thing you shouldn't shoot right away is if you got the ball a meter away from a 3-pointer and in practice you're still scoring 5-6 out of 10 from average.
Work on your shot. Then you will become a headache both for the 1v1 defense and for the entire opposing team.
The constant threat of an accurate throw from a distance makes the defender get closer to you. Thanks to this, it will be easier to beat him in the aisle than if he was standing a couple of meters from you.
Also, the constant threat creates pressure on the defense: the opponent cannot turn off even for a second, because otherwise he will receive points in his basket. As a result, the defense will spend more energy and get tired faster.
Look at Lillard and Curry and how the defense has to work with them is the best example of these words.
The constant threat of an accurate throw from a distance causes the defender to get closer to you. Thanks to this, it will be easier to beat him in the aisle than if he was standing a couple of meters from you. Also, the constant threat creates pressure on the defense: the opponent cannot turn off even for a second, because otherwise he will receive points in his basket. As a result, the defense will spend more energy and get tired faster.
Look at Lillard and Curry and how the defense has to work with them is the best example of these words.
Let's say that the defender does not move away and we need to start dribbling.
What is in this case? What is the best move to beat him?
Let's go in order. Beat = score. So we have to create a situation for our best and accurate shot with the help of dribbling. That is, they must shift the defender somewhere and get space. Now it's getting easier.
To move the defender, we need to make him move and change the speed or direction of movement. We will change both of these things earlier, because the enemy does this only after reacting to our action. That is, you run with the ball, the defender is nearby. First you stop, only then the defender. And while he stops, a space forms between you and the defender. Change of direction works the same way.
Even if you look at all the famous movements of the stars: Iverson's crossover (change of direction), Harden's or Doncic's stepback (stopping and changing direction from forward to backward). They come down to these simple things.
It turns out that there is no one best move.
It's just that someone does a better crossover, and someone does a stepback. It all comes down to simple principles.
Do you want to beat any defender? Learn to change direction and speed. Do it quickly and in different ways to make it harder to read you. And of course work on the throw and finish. Without the ball hitting the basket, no other movement makes sense.
Do you want to learn how to beat,
improve your throw and finishes?
Try our new course LVL UP
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