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How to create space for a shot in basketball
Top 5 Create Space Moves -
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Creating space! This is an area of every player’s game that goes undetected until they get locked up by someone and couldn’t get their shot off. So if you’re here now, reading this, it’s probably happened to you one time or another.
Below I complied the top five moves to create to help you get your shot off.
Move #1: One Dribbling Pull-Up
Now a lot of you reading this will think that this doesn’t really help you create space but great scorers like Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Steph Curry have all utilize a hard one dribble to get into a pull-up.
When do correctly, your defender will think you’re still driving and when you stop and pull-up on a dime you’ll have no contest or at the most a late contest. In order to make this simple move work you have to do a few things…
First you have to take a long, explosive stride in one direction. This will make you defender think that you are trying to drive past them. Next, you have to do one hard dribble. This sells the drive and also helps with rhythm into the shot. Lastly, you can’t fade forward on your shot. Since you are essentially pulling up in the defenders face, fading forward would put your shot at risk of getting block.
Move #2: Step-Back
This move has become one of the most popular moves in basketball today and it seems as if everyone who is a scorer has this move in their arsenal.
Just like the one dribble pull-up. The step-back starts with a hard, long, and explosive move one direction. This should get your defender to start sliding you leaning that way. Next, you will plant your inside foot, usually the foot closer to the defender and use it to push back in the opposite direction. After that, you should have created enough space to shoot, so just gather, shoot, and follow through.
This move requires a hard change of direction that could throw your shot off. So, make sure you really practice this move to work your balance. You should also work on have a strong core, which will allow you have the strength to control your body and not to fade back on your shot.
Move #3: Between The Legs Step-Back
This version of the step-back is a little more difficult but with practice and reps, it’s definitely something that you can add to your game.
I think this best way to do this move is start off slow or loll your defender to sleep, and then boom hit them with the move. This move can be done by walking the ball into your shooting range your by doing a hesitation. Once you’re ready, you do an explosive between the legs in the direction you want your defender to lean. Once the ball goes through your leg, plant your outside foot and push back off of it to create space to shoot.
Again with this move you need to work on your core to have balance and your legs so that you can create enough space. This move will be great in one-on-one situations and at the end of the shot clock as a move to quickly create space for a shot.
Move #4: The Hesitation Pull-Up
When I was growing up, Tracey McGrady made this move popular and I even use it a lot in my game today.
Just like the between the legs step-back, this hesi pull-up can be used after you have lolled your defender to sleep. The BIGGEST thing you have to remember about this move is to sell the drive or hesitation to put the defense on their heels and give you enough space and time to pull-up.
Use your shoulders, footwork, and extend the ball out before you shoot. With practice this move can become a go-to move in your arsenal, just like it is in mine.
Move #5: The Pull-Back Series
The Pull-Back Series has been featured on everyone’s mixtape who is shifty and has that crazy handle. This move can be done three different ways, but all area effective.
The first way is by pulling back in front of your body; probably the most popular way. It starts of the same, by getting your defender to lead or slide in one direction by using a hand and explosive dribble. Once you get the defense going, you’re going to plant the outside off and pull the ball back across your body. If done correctly the defender with continue in the direction they were going, giving you plenty of room o get the shot off.
The other to variations are done the same way, but inside of crossing over in front of your body, you either pull back through your legs or behind your back. These variations work just as well as crossover one above. It really comes done to a personal preference and whichever one you feel most comfortable with.
In conclusion, getting your shot off with tight defense still shouldn’t be a problem. These five moves, if done correctly, can all be used to make you an unstoppable force on the court. However, none of these will be mastered without practice and reps. So get in the gym and start ‘PROfecting Your Game’!
Creating Space and getting your shot off
The most important thing a shooter needs to be successful is space. No matter how quick a players release is, they need some space to get it off. There are four main ways to create space:
Non-dribble move (i.e. jab step, shot fake, etc.) Dribble move (i.e. step back or other dribble move) Moving without the ball Screens & Dribble weaves
Non-dribble moves are used to put the defender off balance. Using a shot fake causes the defender to either close out on the ball handler or even jump in the air, allowing the offensive player to draw a foul or get a shot off while the defender is coming down from jumping. A jab step causes a defender to back-up and puts their weight on their heels, which could give you enough room to shoot. Both of these moves can create “mini-closeout” situations. A closeout is when a defender believes the offensive player is moving backwards in some fashion or about to shoot the ball so they essentially lunge, leap, or step forward. When the defender does one of these things all of their momentum is moving toward the offensive player, when the momentum is moving one way, it takes much longer to stop or to change direction, allowing the offensive player to more easily go past the defender. Basketball is largely a game of misdirection (trying to get someone go one way, and going the other). Non-dribble can and should be used frequently in conjunction with a dribble move.
Dribble moves are used to go by a defender or to create space between you and a defender. A combination of two dribble moves or a non-dribble move with a dribble move can also be used to put a defender off balance or create a “Mini-closeout” as discussed in the Non-dribble moves section. The key in using a combination of moves is simple. Get the defender moving one way, and going the other way.
Moving without the ball has been turned into an art form by some of the greats. The ability to use screens, cut, and finding open spots are common among those thought of as the best shooters. Moving without the ball requires watching your defender, utilizing your teammates, knowledge of defensive rotations, and quickly analyzing floor spacing. Some NBA players provide great examples; Rip Hamilton and Reggie Miller were two of the best at constantly moving and using screens.
Non Dribble Space creating Moves:
Jab Step: A jab step is a simple non-dribble move used to create space or put a defender off-balance. For a right-handed player (assuming the left foot is planted as your pivot foot) here is how the jab step works. Starting in the triple threat position take a long step with your right foot to either side of your defender, be sure to stay low and balanced. As the long step is taken, the left foot should stay planted and the player should keep their body between the defender and the ball. The jab step can be used just before a pass so you have room, to create space to shoot, or to get a defender off-balance in order to go by them (jab step and go).
Pump (or Shot) Fake: The best description of a pump fake I’ve ever heard was, “It is a shot that you end up not taking”. This is important because this implies that you were going to shoot it, and then you realized a fake would be better. Selling the pump fake is vital. A pump fake is executed by initiating the beginning of the shot, this causes your defender to lunge or lean forward which creates several opportunities: If they jump you can lean into them for a foul, if they lunge forward a dribble can be used to go by them., it creates a great “give and go” opportunity, and many others.
Crossover Step: A crossover step is similar to a jab step but it is used when you step across your body to the inside of your defender (as with most moves, this originates from the triple threat position). For example if you are on the right side of the floor with your left foot as your pivot foot, you would step to the inside of the defender (as well as past the defender) with your right foot. The crossover step is best used in conjunction with another move such as a jab step to tone side then a crossover step to the other, or a shot fake to get the defender up in the air followed by a crossover step past the defender.
Short step – Long step: The “short step – long step” is similar to using a combination of two different sized jab steps. Starting in the triple threat position (assume a right handed player on the right wing with their left foot as the pivot foot). Begin with a very slow and short jab step with your right foot, this is used to lull the defender. As the right foot lands on the first jab step, quickly lunge forward with the right foot, exploding past the defender. This should be a long step past the defenders feet. This is a great, simple, low-risk move to use to get past a defender.
Space creating dribble moves
Step back Dribble: The step back is a great way to create space between an offensive player and a defender once the offensive player has already began dribbling the ball. When a player is dribbling towards the basket and sees that the defender has their momentum going in that same direction, the dribbler plants there inside foot hard and pushes back away from the basket explosively, landing in a balanced position ready to shoot or pass. When the foot is planted you must be sure to be low and balanced to effectively utilize the move. This move can be combined with a behind the back or backwards between the leg dribble. Check out the advanced moves section of the site for more information.
Hesitation dribble: The hesitation dribble works in the opposite fashion of a step-back dribble. The hesitation dribble lures a defender at the ball handler. When dribbling toward the basket at a fairly quick pace…stop and hesitate suddenly. Do not pick up your dribble, but take a slightly higher dribble still keeping your hand over top of the ball. For added effect bring the off hand should move toward the ball to give the impression of picking up the dribble. This should cause the defender to lunge toward the ball handler, as the defender shifts their momentum toward the ball handler, the ball handler should dribble forward past the off-balance defender. This should leave the offensive player with the choice of an open pass or shot.
Offensive box-out: This move applies the principles of a box out to the offensive side of the ball. Chris Paul frequently uses this move. When the ball handler gets a little bit past the defender they put their rear into the defender and force them to stay behind them (very similar to boxing out as if going for a rebound). One of two things will happen…the offensive player will have enough time to get a shot off (most likely a floater) or the post defender will be forced to help, at which point the offensive post player should be open for an easy bucket.
Fake Move: A fake move is used to create the illusion of using a dribble move (let’s use the crossover as an example) to put the defender on their heels enabling an offensive player to get a shot off. While dribbling, the offensive player should get low like they are about ready to execute a right to left crossover. This should not be disguised…the action by the offensive player should be as if they were about to let someone steal their crossover. As the ball handler starts to wind up the crossover to go from right to left, the defender should begin to reach for the ball or shift their weight in the direction of where they anticipate the crossover to go. At this time…the offensive player should quickly jump straight up (balanced and under control) and shoot a jump shot. This move does not create as much space as some other moves…but will cause the defender to be off balanced to the extent they are unable to contest the shot effectively.
Various Moves: There are various other moves that can be used to set-up a jump shot (i. e. crossover, inside out, etc…)
Moving without the ball
Footwork is another tool for getting open. Digging down a layer deeper it is about misdirection, body positioning, and deception. Here are a few pieces of footwork that can help you get open to get the ball or get an easy basket.
Cutting is all about body position, footwork, and misdirection. Use misdirection by taking a few slow steps in one direction then going hard in the other direction. Or, a player can fake a hard step in one direction getting the defender to jump, then going the opposite direction. Play with this and be creating, the key is to get the defender to think you are going to one thing…then you do the other. Whether it is playing pick-up or in a game, cutting is important. It keeps the floor balanced, it causes defenders to help, and in the case of running your team’s offense…it often sets up the timing needed for the offense to be successful.
Front cut: This is done by simply cutting in front of your defender. This forces the defender to be in a bad position being stuck behind you. This is the type of cut you would see on a “give and go”. This can be set-up by taking a couple slow steps in the opposite direction of where you are going, then cutting HARD in front of the defender.
Back cut: This is done by cutting behind your defender. If a defender is watching the ball and not you, it may give you a perfect opportunity to cut behind them in the brief instant they look away.
Flash: this is when a player sprints from the post area up to the foul line or elbow in order to receive the ball.
Iverson cut: Sometimes called a “shallow-cut”, this cut was made famous by Allen Iverson. This cut is down by a wing player who starts on the wing outside the 3 point line and runs hard across court dipping down to approximately the level of the foul line, then popping out at the opposite 3 point line.
V-cut: A v-cut is generally used in the open court to inbound the ball, or by a player trying to catch the ball on the wing or top of the key, when a defender is denying them the ball. For this example we will imagine a swingman is on the right wing trying to pop out to the three point line to catch the ball. To execute a v-cut this player will walk right up to and into their defender placing their inside (right) foot in front of that player. At the same time they step in front of the defender they should place put their thigh and butt into the defender, then push off that right foot hard to pop out to the three point line.
Seal Pivot: This is done by taking a step into your defender and keeping him behind you, almost like you are boxing them out, in order for you to receive the ball. UCLA cut: This is a screen/cut run by many teams at all levels around the world. A UCLA cut is initiated when a guard passes the ball to the wing. One of the teams big men will be planted on the elbow on the side the ball was passed to. After the guard passes the ball to the wing they will then run off the screen being set by the big man on the elbow. Sometimes this can lead to an easy lay-up for the guard. What is often more likely to happen is the point guard will catch the pass from the wing after their cut, which forces the other big man’s defender to help…which results in a simple pass form the cutting guard to the guy that defender was guarding, and an easy hoop.
European Cut: A European cut is similar to a dribble weave. One player drives toward the basket, in this example we’ll assume the player is driving from the left wing down the middle of the lane. When that player drives, their teammate who is performing the European cut, the one performing the European cut should come from the right wing and cross just behind their driving teammate.
Ball Screens & Dribble weaves
Using Screens: Screens are one of the best and most often used ways to get open or to get a shot off. A screen is going to be basically the same regardless of the different “types” of screen you hear about (i.e. fade screen, down screen, etc.). A screen is set by one teammate for another. The “screener” is the person setting the screen. The screener must plant their feet and not move their body into the defense. Because the screener is unable to move, it is up to the player using the screen to run their defender into the screen. First the offensive player using the screen should “set-up” the screen. Setting up a screen can be done in several ways. This can be done by faking one way prior to going the other, or by walking the defender to the level of the screen before coming off it. When finally arriving at the screen, the offensive player should get into a position that is low and explosive…it should be a position in which they are ready to explode out of. (Some coaches teach players to “grab ankles”, this means the player getting screen should get low enough to grab the ankle of the screener.) Additionally, the player should just barely make contact or “brush” the screener. Brushing the screener assures that there is not enough space for the defender to squeeze through. For more advanced information on screens, screening, and other screening related topics check out the moves and the miscellaneous sections.
Ball Screens: A ball screen is a screen in which one offensive player sets a screen for the ball handler. The basics of using a ball screen are similar to using a normal screen. The ball handler should rub the offensive player right off of the screen. Ball screens will be set in different settings. Maybe on the wing before the ball handler has even dribbled and maybe at the top of the key for a point guard bringing the ball up the floor.
Level of the screen: When the ball screen is set at the top of the key, it is important for the ball handler to take the defender to the level of the screen. This means that whether to the left or the right, they should dribble down to the level of where the screen will be set. You
Normal screen: When a screen is set on the wing. You can use it normally or “bounce” the screen. Bouncing the screen is when an offensive player fakes like they are going to use a screen, and goes the opposite way. Bouncing the screen is done by approaching the screen as if it were to be used, but then quickly making a move in the opposite direction. A dribble move can also be used, particularly a spin move.
Dribble Weave: A dribble weave is similar to a ball screen, or perhaps more similar to a hand-off in football. It is used to get open, get to the basket, or even misdirection. A dribble weave is executed when one player comes to a jump stop and hands the ball to a teammate coming in the opposite direction. The player intending to hand the ball off should come to a jump stop with their back to the basket just prior to the transition. The player accepting the hand-off should be moving toward the other player and should accept the hand-off similar to a running back in football.
Hand-off & Fake Handoff: Similar to a dribble weave, except the player initiating the dribble weave does not do so with the dribble. A fake hand-off can also be effectively utilized to do this…a player should run past the hand-off pretending to receive the ball. And the player executing the fake handoff should spin back around the other way and take the ball to the basket (or square up for a jump shot).
European Cut: A European cut is similar to a dribble weave. One player drives toward the basket, in this example we’ll assume the player is driving from the left wing down the middle of the lane. When that player drives, their teammate who is performing the European cut, the one performing the European cut should come from the right wing and cross just behind their driving teammate
Basic positions of players in the basketball team
Basketball is a team sport in which everything depends on the unique abilities of each of the team members. And while the players on today's basketball teams are multifunctional and can substitute for each other to a greater or lesser extent, each of them has a role to play.
In this article, we'll talk about the five traditional roles in basketball without which no game will take place. Why know this? To understand how the team is initially built and, accordingly, how the game itself works.
Knowing your position in the team, you will be able to successfully lead your team to victory! For fans, this knowledge will help to better analyze the course of the game and assess the complexity of each movement on the field.
So, here are the roles that will be discussed:
point guard
Attacking defender
small forward
Power forward
Center
The point guard is usually the shortest player on the team, but has highly developed ball handling skills and a high basketball IQ. Such players are usually responsible for dribbling the ball around the field. They are behind the fact that the attack was built taking into account the weaknesses and strengths of the enemy. It is no coincidence that the point guard is often referred to as the outfield general or coach on the court.
On defense, these players are responsible for holding back the other team's point guard, and their ability to analyze, predict, and disrupt the opponent's strategy is critical to the outcome of the game. Therefore, it is important that the rest of the team listens to the point guard's recommendations, and that he himself is good at communicating with others.
Attacker is the position of a player interchangeable with the point guard role as their roles are similar. However, unlike the point guard, who focuses more on building up the attack, the offensive player's goal is to score from anywhere on the court. Because of this, many offensive tactics are centered around defender throws.
This position is more focused on the offensive, and such a player implements defensive tactics around the weakest member of the opposing team. Attackers may also assist the point guard in ball play if the point guard is heavily guarded.
The small forward is the most versatile player on the team both offensively and defensively. This is due to the fact that they are usually slightly smaller than the power forward and center in height and build, but have the accuracy, ball control and basketball IQ of defensemen.
These players usually play near the edges of the three-point arc, as there is relative freedom of movement and a shot can be made from there. Small forwards usually block the best player on the opposing team because they have the ability to reach and block the shot, they have the weight to push the opponent away, and they are endowed with the speed and agility of the defenders.
The power forward is usually the second tallest player on the team and plays near the free throw circle. This player is responsible for blocking the opponent; it depends on him whether the offensive will be successful. Because the power forward plays such an important role in offense, he also needs to be able to accurately shoot the ball from medium range to score if the ball is passed to him after a screen by a defender.
In addition, the power forward is often responsible for holding the ball, allowing stronger team members to advance. With defensive tactics, such players take on the protection and blocking of those opponent's shots that the center cannot reach.
The center is the tallest and heaviest player on the team, playing under the basket. Posts dominate with weight and strength, using height and jump to get the ball over the heads of shorter players. Such players also block the opponent near the edge of the field to give space for a defender or small forward to shoot.
Traditionally, centers have not been able to shoot with high accuracy, but today everything is different: centers at least know how to make medium-range shots, and some are capable of three-point shots. Such centers are called "stretch 5".
Do you remember all the roles? Try to put them into practice: while watching the game or honing your own skills on the court!
We put together the puzzle of the perfect basketball player in 2020: reliable long-range shot, universal defense and friendship with the stars - openers - Blogs
Brains are also needed.
Basketball is constantly changing. There are new coaching ideas, players with never-before-seen skill sets, and the very idea of how to play basketball is changing.
Naturally, each such "upgrade" comes with its own set of requirements for the players. Each new turn in the development of the NBA brings with it a list of preferences. What used to be considered mandatory becomes not very important (for example, the dimensions in the protection on the "four"). And what historically managed to do without, today turns into a mandatory requirement (for example, a long-range shot for most of the same "fourths").
Accordingly, the demand for players is also changing: you can seriously upgrade your chances of success if you just be born and come to the NBA at the right time, when your data is most in demand.
So, tweeners, who used to be rejected because of their unformattedness, today would have more chances to gain a foothold in the league. Lou Williams actually got his second career start when the league decided that a clear distinction between first and second numbers was unnecessary .
With the centers, the situation is reversed: once it was believed that without a classy "fifth" it was impossible to be a serious team, but now no one is sure that a team can be built around the center, really claiming the title. As a result, many teams have such a formally starting “fifth” at the base, who gets a penny, knows little, but does not fail, because the opponent has a center of the same format at the base.
The game just went in that direction.
Of course, there are some eternal values. Athleticism, anthropometry, game intelligence, leadership qualities - these things have always been valued, and it's hard to say for which era of basketball they are more important. Today's players are more athletic than their predecessors, but that doesn't mean that athleticism is more important today than it was in another era.
Some things have always been important, and listing them all is boring. There is no point in listing the full list of basketball skills or assembling a basketball monster by stacking Chris Paul's brains, Steph Curry's throw, Giannis Antetokounmpo's athleticism, Kawhi Leonard's claws, and Kyle Lauri's ass.
What is interesting is what characteristics make basketball players the most successful in the current NBA? What qualities are more important today than ever?
What Makes an Ideal 2020 Basketball Player?
Reliable long-range shooting
Some like it, some get annoyed, but three-pointers are the basis of the current era in basketball. Teams continue to increase the number of shooters on the court, the share of long-range shots does not stop growing, and three-point records are broken so often that everyone has already stopped paying attention to it. Any Trae Young is throwing more 3s in January than the entire NBA in '82 to '89, but we're fine with it. We just decided it wasn't fair to the past to compare current long-range shots to what it was before the three-point revolution. Too much has changed too drastically.
Until a few years ago, it was considered normal to open up for a shot at a long middle distance (power forwards especially often did this). A few years ago, it was considered normal to release a squad on the floor, where three people do not pose any threat from behind the arc.
Things are different now. Teams have realized how powerful a three-point shot can be. It is effective on its own, and it allows you to create space for even more efficient passes to the ring.
Each non-thrower is now a space attack on offense, undermining the full power of the attack. And now, most teams are trying to release combinations on the floor, where 4 people have a long-range shot, and the role of the non-thrower is usually given to the center, setting up screens and scoring from under the basket (this is partly why the centers have depreciated somewhat, this is a simple set of skills).
But if you already have a player without a shot in your roster and it's not a center, then problems arise. Either you have to give up the center, like the Houstons did, or look for a fifth with a three, like the Bucks did, or play with a lack of space in the attack, hoping to pick something up with brute force, like the Philadelphia ". In general, the lack of a shot now is a bigger problem than ever.
On the other hand, the presence of an advanced shooter on the contrary opens up more opportunities. Steph Curry with his long dribble threes is able to pull two opponents within a couple of meters of the arc This creates not only a numerical advantage for his partners, but also increases the territory in which this numerical advantage will be played out. All this allows you to compensate for the lack of throwing potential of partners.
Therefore, despite the fact that Igudala and Green often refused to take even open threes (which the opponent readily gave them), they both went out to close matches as part of the super-successful Death Line. And at the start, the Warriors usually had some kind of budget center without a throw and the same Draymond, but again there was no lack of space, although the number of shooters from the “warriors” was not enough.
And this magic also works by revising the significance of a long-range throw. Everyone knows that a three dribbling two meters from the arc is an effective shot when Curry throws it. It's not trickery, it's his basketball, and if you give Steph those throws, he'll take them over and over and he'll finish you off with them.
So the profit from cool shooters and the damage from non-throwing players is stronger than ever today.
Integration into pick-and-roll basketball
The idea of how to initiate an offense has changed many times in the NBA. There were eras of dominant centers when the attack went through the post. There was a "triangle" and variations on the theme of the active movement of the ball and players. Today's attack is a high screen on the ball. In the space created by shooters, pick-and-roll has become the basis of attack.
The number of people who are able and not afraid to throw three from the dribble has grown. Therefore, pick-and-rolls are often played not just on the arc, but 1-2 meters from it, pulling the defense up. And an increase in the number of throwing players around stretches the defense along the edges, preventing painless hedging.
Of course, there are exceptions. Someone is still attacking through the post or trying to move without the ball, and it's not just the teams that don't have a decent point guard who do this. The same Warriors were actively moving without the ball and often loaded Draymond on the middle so that he would find an open one. But when the big moments of key matches come, they just pick-and-roll the opponent to death with a Curry-Green two.
And during the quarantine there were many different memory projects where they told how Stockton and Malone tore the league with their pick-and-rolls back then in the middle. Or how Nash, Amare and D'Antoni took those ball screenings to the next level with pre-eminent spacing, Stoudemire's wild athleticism and the Canadian point guard's incredible passing culture. But right now, high pick-and-roll has become as effective and popular as possible. And, of course, the ideal modern basketball player should be able to drive pick-and-roll.
Basically, the skill doesn't seem tricky. For the big ones, it basically comes down to screening, running fast, and trying not to drop the ball. But sometimes the opponent can force you to give the next pass, you need to be ready for this. And now not everyone can do it, for example, Capela could not cope with such tasks. However, a skill once honed to perfection by Draymond has been copied by many. These rollman discounts were performed by Nurkic, and Davis, and Sabonis, and many others, including those who are immensely far from allstar status.
The main burden falls on the person with the ball: you need to fit the opponent into the screen and be able to throw, otherwise no one will come out on your pick-and-roll. And then you need to quickly respond to the actions of the defense, understand what exactly they are giving you and make a decision. The set is quite formulaic - a throw, a pass, a discount for a rollman or a discount for a corner, everything that is so easy to click, for example, Doncic or Harden.
But everything happens quickly. The corners are not always convenient: if you can’t pass from the right hand to the left corner, then they will drive you under this. And the ballhandler is often surrounded by taller opponents, behind whom you can’t see a damn thing.
This is such a blitz: the tasks seem not too difficult, but you answer at speed, and someone else is screaming next to you. And that's something to work with in today's NBA, as the ability to be a pick-and-roll operator has become a key skill.
Versatility in defense
A logical consequence of the growth of shooting potential and more frequent pick-and-rolls was the demand for universalism. The fact is that it is not always possible to play a safety net in an increased space, especially against good teams. The distance between the players becomes too large, the ball moves much faster than the players, and it is no longer possible to rotate. At the same time, the opponent puts barriers on the ball again and again, freeing the ballhandler from his guardian. In such a situation, the defense has only one option - to exchange.
Historically, trading was considered a weakness in basketball, like you're too lazy to climb over the barrier and work on your feet, so you trade. But now this is often the only way not to give the opponent an open throw. As a result, in the later stages of the playoffs (or just in every Rockets game), matchups are very arbitrary. Opponents force exchanges and simply attack through whoever they want.
And this is the problem: after the exchange, the opponent gets a profitable match-up. Someone small defends against the center, or someone slow defends against the guard, but rather both at once. It is already difficult to defend one-on-one in this situation. Therefore, it is very cool if you have a center that can switch to the first numbers, or your defender can trade for someone big.
Now the ability to practice defense against players of different sizes is more in demand than ever.
Draymond Green was called the best defensive player in the NBA, not for his brains and safety net, but for the fact that he switched between all 5 opponents in one possession, and no one could do a damn thing with him. Capela won his contract not for screening Harden, but for his ability to switch to a ball handler in every possession.
Not being a weak point is the key skill in defense today. Be the one whom none of the rivals can trample one on one. And, given that today's centers rarely attack on their own, and today's powerful forwards are not very powerful, then the spread in size of potential rivals is not so breathtaking.
As a result, a decent shot and the ability to defend in 2-2. 5 positions is already enough to firmly sit down in the NBA with a good salary.
Desire to run into an early attack
Early attack is damn effective. Dallas has the best offensive rating this season with just under 116 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com. At the same time, in the early attack, the best teams in the NBA are gaining 119 points per 100 possessions. And the best attack is right there - in fast attacks, when the team is on the move, and the defense has not yet built up. It's a sea of open throws, fouls and dunks.
And so it has always been. But, firstly, now people in the NBA have learned to count and see a real statistical difference in efficiency between static and transition. Until recently, few people recorded these things. Secondly, running around was considered bad form for a long time: according to legend, you can’t defend yourself with it, and therefore you can’t win. But this season, the Milwaukee Bucks are first in the NBA in terms of pace (and second in early offense), and they also have the best defense in the NBA. Because running on the attack at the first opportunity does not mean spitting on defense (surprise).
And thirdly, running is now easier. Because it's easier to win defensive rebounds and break through. The fact is that teams in recent years have simply stopped fighting for offensive rebounds. Previously, the percentage of rebounds in defense was at the level of 66-68%, but at the junction of zero and tenths it rose to 73%, and now it has reached 77%.
It can be said that the attacking teams just do not fight for offensive rebounds in order to have more chances to return to the defense and not miss a highly effective counterattack. But everything is not so clear. For if no one goes to rebound in the attack, then the defending team may not send people to the shield, but send them into the breakthrough right at the moment of the throw, which simplifies the early attack. In general, the earlier you run to the defense, the earlier the opponent can run to the attack.
Now, if a defensive player approaches a shooter at the top of the arc and jumps in an attempt to catch a shot, then that defender just keeps running forward. He knows that the partners will most likely take the selection, and there will be a great opportunity to be the first at someone else's ring.
AD with the touchdown pass for LeBron dunk! Lakers up on the Knicks#LakeShow #washedking pic.twitter.com/2gCzekCI7n
— LakeShow Highlights (@LA_HighLights24) January 23, 2020
Every opportunity to make a quick attack is used. Therefore, now the guys who create these chances are very relevant. Giannis and Siakam are running faster than any opponent capable of defending against them. Westbrook carries the ball from ring to ring. Curry and Simmons are great with the ball and space in the early game. Jokic and Love throw touchdown passes across the court. LeBron is a complex threat in tragedy, he is so good here that he excelled not only in early offense, but also in defense against such attacks. These people add to their value by creating early offensive opportunities.
Of course, the NBA is still not 2K, where fast attacks are half of the team's points. But the share of transition in the game is constantly growing. Three years ago, it did not exceed 19% for the most running teams, and today, early offense makes up almost 22% of all Toronto attacks. The leaders in this regard may not make much progress in the near future, but the lower classes should catch up, so the transition in the NBA will only be greater and the demand for overclockers will not go anywhere.
Ability to make friends with other superstars
Okay, it's not exactly a basketball skill, but it's important. And he's definitely more important than ever.
In recent years, players have changed teams quite often in search of a better life, and viewers are constantly watching the free agent market and eagerly waiting to see which star will require the next trade.
The result of this movement of talent was the formation of several tandems. And while super teams like the Warriors and the Heat may never be seen again, there are plenty of clubs with star duos in the NBA now.
In this regard, lone stars are in a losing position. Who will drag the game if you have a bad evening? Who will keep the team afloat when you're on the bench? Jokic ran 65 minutes in last year's playoff game simply because Denver couldn't do anything without him. Did you see Jokic before quarantine? For him, 65 is one minute for every kilogram of excess weight. But there was no way out, there was no one else to rely on.
Therefore, the formation of a star duo is already becoming the norm. Miami is signing Butler, and we're wondering who the Heat will take on as their second star. Toronto's Siakam is progressing wildly, and we're starting to count how much free money they'll have in the Summer of Giannis. Would we be discussing The Summer of Giannis itself if its second star was someone brighter than Middleton?
Free agents ready to leave candidate teams, players demand trade 3 years before the end of the contract.
These variations work just as well as crossover one above. It really comes done to a personal preference and whichever one you feel most comfortable with.
A jab step causes a defender to back-up and puts their weight on their heels, which could give you enough room to shoot. Both of these moves can create “mini-closeout” situations. A closeout is when a defender believes the offensive player is moving backwards in some fashion or about to shoot the ball so they essentially lunge, leap, or step forward. When the defender does one of these things all of their momentum is moving toward the offensive player, when the momentum is moving one way, it takes much longer to stop or to change direction, allowing the offensive player to more easily go past the defender. Basketball is largely a game of misdirection (trying to get someone go one way, and going the other). Non-dribble can and should be used frequently in conjunction with a dribble move.
The key in using a combination of moves is simple. Get the defender moving one way, and going the other way.
As the long step is taken, the left foot should stay planted and the player should keep their body between the defender and the ball. The jab step can be used just before a pass so you have room, to create space to shoot, or to get a defender off-balance in order to go by them (jab step and go).
For example if you are on the right side of the floor with your left foot as your pivot foot, you would step to the inside of the defender (as well as past the defender) with your right foot. The crossover step is best used in conjunction with another move such as a jab step to tone side then a crossover step to the other, or a shot fake to get the defender up in the air followed by a crossover step past the defender.
Do not pick up your dribble, but take a slightly higher dribble still keeping your hand over top of the ball. For added effect bring the off hand should move toward the ball to give the impression of picking up the dribble. This should cause the defender to lunge toward the ball handler, as the defender shifts their momentum toward the ball handler, the ball handler should dribble forward past the off-balance defender. This should leave the offensive player with the choice of an open pass or shot.
e. crossover, inside out, etc…)
This forces the defender to be in a bad position being stuck behind you. This is the type of cut you would see on a “give and go”. This can be set-up by taking a couple slow steps in the opposite direction of where you are going, then cutting HARD in front of the defender.
For this example we will imagine a swingman is on the right wing trying to pop out to the three point line to catch the ball. To execute a v-cut this player will walk right up to and into their defender placing their inside (right) foot in front of that player. At the same time they step in front of the defender they should place put their thigh and butt into the defender, then push off that right foot hard to pop out to the three point line.
What is often more likely to happen is the point guard will catch the pass from the wing after their cut, which forces the other big man’s defender to help…which results in a simple pass form the cutting guard to the guy that defender was guarding, and an easy hoop.
The “screener” is the person setting the screen. The screener must plant their feet and not move their body into the defense. Because the screener is unable to move, it is up to the player using the screen to run their defender into the screen. First the offensive player using the screen should “set-up” the screen. Setting up a screen can be done in several ways. This can be done by faking one way prior to going the other, or by walking the defender to the level of the screen before coming off it. When finally arriving at the screen, the offensive player should get into a position that is low and explosive…it should be a position in which they are ready to explode out of. (Some coaches teach players to “grab ankles”, this means the player getting screen should get low enough to grab the ankle of the screener.) Additionally, the player should just barely make contact or “brush” the screener. Brushing the screener assures that there is not enough space for the defender to squeeze through.
For more advanced information on screens, screening, and other screening related topics check out the moves and the miscellaneous sections.
Bouncing the screen is done by approaching the screen as if it were to be used, but then quickly making a move in the opposite direction. A dribble move can also be used, particularly a spin move.
And the player executing the fake handoff should spin back around the other way and take the ball to the basket (or square up for a jump shot).
Why know this? To understand how the team is initially built and, accordingly, how the game itself works. 
This is due to the fact that they are usually slightly smaller than the power forward and center in height and build, but have the accuracy, ball control and basketball IQ of defensemen. 
Lou Williams actually got his second career start when the league decided that a clear distinction between first and second numbers was unnecessary . 
We just decided it wasn't fair to the past to compare current long-range shots to what it was before the three-point revolution. Too much has changed too drastically. 
And at the start, the Warriors usually had some kind of budget center without a throw and the same Draymond, but again there was no lack of space, although the number of shooters from the “warriors” was not enough. 
In the space created by shooters, pick-and-roll has become the basis of attack. 
Or how Nash, Amare and D'Antoni took those ball screenings to the next level with pre-eminent spacing, Stoudemire's wild athleticism and the Canadian point guard's incredible passing culture. But right now, high pick-and-roll has become as effective and popular as possible. And, of course, the ideal modern basketball player should be able to drive pick-and-roll. 
And then you need to quickly respond to the actions of the defense, understand what exactly they are giving you and make a decision. The set is quite formulaic - a throw, a pass, a discount for a rollman or a discount for a corner, everything that is so easy to click, for example, Doncic or Harden. 
The distance between the players becomes too large, the ball moves much faster than the players, and it is no longer possible to rotate. At the same time, the opponent puts barriers on the ball again and again, freeing the ballhandler from his guardian. In such a situation, the defense has only one option - to exchange. 
Therefore, it is very cool if you have a center that can switch to the first numbers, or your defender can trade for someone big. 
5 positions is already enough to firmly sit down in the NBA with a good salary. 
Because running on the attack at the first opportunity does not mean spitting on defense (surprise). 
These people add to their value by creating early offensive opportunities. 
And while super teams like the Warriors and the Heat may never be seen again, there are plenty of clubs with star duos in the NBA now. 
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