USA Basketball - Master the Step Back to Get Clean Shots
As players play against bigger, stronger, more athletic opponents, they find that offensive moves that were previously successful are no longer as effective. The initial offensive move that allowed players to get by a defender is now cut off by quicker, better athletes. When players find themselves in this situation, they need to develop counter moves in response to improved individual defenders.
When offensive players can't "get by" the defender, they must learn to "get away" from the defender to create space to score. The "Step Back" is a counter move that will help players do just that.
This move is most effective around the basket, in the lane, or inside 15 feet. Once you move beyond that range, it becomes a very difficult and low-percentage shot. It should not be a staple of a player's perimeter offense, but can be an extremely valuable weapon in the paint.
Here are the basic components of the Step Back:
Attack The Defender First
The Step Back is a "counter move. " It is used only after the initial drive is stopped. You must force the defender to stop the drive first by trying to get by him with your drive.
Get Into The Defender
If the defender slides to cut you off, dip the lead shoulder and continue to sell the drive. This forces the defender to fully commit to stopping your initial move, and makes it more difficult for him to react to your counter. You now have him digging in, with his weight back on his heels.
Press Off The Front Foot
Push hard off the front foot to create separation from the defender. Get as much distance as possible to create space to shoot. The direction and angle you move in as you separate will be determined by where the defender is, and where you are on the floor. Typically, the direction is on a 45-degree angle--like a "V." You aren't stepping straight back, and you aren't stepping sideways--but somewhere in between, based on where the defender is positioned.
Land On Back Foot First
Try to land on the back foot first, not in a jump stop. This will create more balance and rhythm on the shot, and allow you to adjust to any reaction by the defender.
Keep Shoulders Forward
As the lead foot comes back, keep the shoulders forward as the shooting motion begins. This keeps players low and athletic on the move and prevents you from fading away unnecessarily.
Straight Up On The Shot
If enough space is created, there should be enough room to get off a high percentage jump shot. If good distance and separation isn't created on the move, players are forced to fade from the defender on the shot. This leads to shots falling short and greatly decreases shooting percentage.
Players at every level will be faced with quick, athletic defenders who are tough to get by on the dribble. When this situation occurs, counter moves become necessary to create space. The "Step Back" is an excellent counter move to develop, and with practice and repetition, this move can provide an answer to those tougher defenders you will face at higher levels.
The Origin Story Of The NBA's Most Deadly Move
James Harden and Luka Doncic have perfected the art of the step-back jumper, making defenses across the league look helpless over and over again. They’re not the ones who invented the step-back jumper. Nor are they the first to perfect an unguardable shot.
Manu Ginobili brought the Euro over from Argentina. Kareem won six championships using the sky-hook. Hakeem was putting defenders to sleep with his iconic Dream shake.
But none of these shots are even close to as popular as the ever-evolving step-back jumper.
In 2019, the move screams Harden or Doncic, but they’re simply redefining a shot that has been used for decades.
So who really started the step-back jumper craze? Who is responsible for driving 4th grade travel basketball coaches crazy?
The truth is, the first time we saw anything like today’s “legal travel” was in the 80’s, and there are a multitude of big names who have a case for bringing the unstoppable shot to the party.
First up, Larry Bird. He entered the league in 1979 with an immediate offensive impact, using his 6’9 frame to get off his lethal jumper. The step-back was definitely in Bird’s repertoire. Just look at this move on Dominique Wilkins.
But Bird wasn’t reliant on the move. He was more fond of the fadeaway, simply leaning back and shooting over them, no explosive step required.
Bird isn’t really taking that important step that step-back specialists rely on. It’s more of a you can’t touch this, I’m going to shoot over you shot.
So while he might have used the shot, it wasn’t his specialty. Eventually the move would find its way to Michael Jordan, but it went through one more iteration in the 80s before his Airness.
Kiki Vandeweghe. The son of a former NBA player and 1952’s Miss America entered the league in 1980. Because he was only 6’8”, he was not tall enough to contend with the behemoths of the 80’s, or fast enough to consistently get around them.
His strength was his footwork, so he used it to get a more open look while shooting jumpers. Vandewegh used his front foot to propel himself backwards, creating separation between himself and the defender.
Sound familiar?
Legendary coach Pete Newell dubbed this “The Kiki Move”, but today it is better known as the step-back.
That being said, I’m in favor of reverting back to calling it the Kiki instead of the stepback.
Just imagine an announcer being forced to end his call with “and Harden hits The Kiki.” Drop a comment if you’re with me. It’s obviously not the thing of beauty that this next guy perfected, but he was one of the first, so credit to Kiki.
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Michael Jordan. We can’t make a mini-doc about revolutionizing the step-back without bringing up black jesus, now can we?
While he might not have been the first to use the move, Jordan was the one who perfected it. The once gimmicky shot became an art form.
Jordan used it often on the way to 6 championships. Just tell me this isn’t a thing of beauty.
For a boy that was born in Philly just six years before Jordan was drafted, the shot was enthralling. In the upcoming years, he would do the best MJ imitation we’ll likely ever see.
Kobe Bryant. Now, before anyone starts hyperventilating at the GOAT conversation, this is solely a focus on how close someone has come to shadowing Jordan’s moves.
And Kobe was the best we’ve ever seen. As in, he literally wanted to be Michael Jordan in every way. The moves, the attitude, the look. Everything but quitting basketball to be get cream puff minor league baseball contract.
Bryant relied on the jumper throughout his career, oftentimes increasing the degree of difficulty by having 2 or 3 defenders draped all over him. At his peak, this was no problem for the Mamba. Anything less than three guys on him probably meant the ball was going up from an impossible angle after the picture-perfect move.
While Kobe did the best Jordan imitation, this next guy blazed his own path and created one of the most unstoppable shots in NBA history.
Dirk Nowitzki. The step back was designed to help players get some separation for their jumper, usually by shorter guys. So what happens when a 7-footer masters the move?
A Hall Of Fame career and a shiny championship ring happens.
Dirk modified the older move slightly. He still leaned back and launched the shot, but it was off one foot, with the other slightly bent.
It was a weird, second cousin of the original step back, but it was just as deadly as its relative, if not more.
It frustrated opponents to no end. It was untouchable. He played 21 seasons, and the only record of that shot being blocked on the Internet consists of a one and a half minute long video of three guys blocking it. Three. Ever.
Dirk’s iteration received the biggest compliment of all, when it was copied by one of the greatest to ever play…Kevin Durant.
Dirk’s one-footer will likely be remembered as fondly as the skyhook, the Dream shake, and the Karate Kid’s Crane Kick.
The next man to really rely on his step back is easily the most controversial, and the most hairy. Buckle up for The Beard.
James Harden. Yes, it’s very, very close to a travel. It is almost never called. And its has been one of the most deadly shots in the league for 5 years now.
James Harden has rejuvenated the step back, and surprisingly, made it one of the most efficient shots in the game.
Last season, Harden scored an average of 1.09 points per possession on the step-back three. To put that in perspective, the Golden State Warriors averaged 1.1 points per possession last season. Harden almost matched their efficiency shooting the most difficult shot in the game.
Harden gets a lot of flak for his “zero step” that many think should be counted as the first step en route to a travel. But if the refs aren’t calling it, Harden would be a fool not to keep using it.
Basically, we went from step-back jumper to one-footer, to zero-step-backs or something. Math, and evolution, it’s a hard combo.
Harden takes three steps but doesn't get a run whistle. Why?
Houston's leader is the best at adapting to the new rules.
Photo: Jose Garcia, wikipedia.org
In the first game of the 1/2 finals of the Western Conference with Utah , James Harden managed everywhere: 41 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. In the second game, he scored 32+6+11. Such statistics only indicate that the Jazz have no idea how to stop a beard.
Houston Head Coach Mike D'Antoni noted that Utah are not alone in this regard.
“There are 28 more teams that can't answer this question [how to stop Harden]. The answer is no. Sometimes he can play badly because he's human, but there's no plan to stop him."
One of the reasons for Harden's invulnerability is the stepback, stepping back throw. The NBA has used this move before (a three-minute cut of Jordan's stepbacks), but Harden uses it so often and bounces back so obviously that there has been controversy ever since his move to Houston in 2012.
Running or not?
Harden clearly sets his pivot foot twice on the step back. This is a travel. #RocketsNation pic.twitter.com/0WYi8wATyF — DΛП (@danWorthington) April 16, 2018
In the first round of 16 game against Minnesota, Harden took two steps back to get past Andrew Wiggins . “It was a normal stepback, everything is allowed,” Wiggins himself said. Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeau didn't report the run either: "It's hard to defend against Harden. In different matches they determine the run in different ways, so we have to be ready for everything. He is good at selling what he does.
But twitter users were unanimous - it's a run.
pic.twitter.com/YARCxHBLb6 — Eliás Olney (@boywithoutaflag) April 16, 2018
Unbelievable travel pic.twitter.com/4tYR0e4yl0 — Gi11y (@Gi11y_) April 16, 2018
90.twitter .com/lJ0nry4Fo6 — Treshaun (@Kvng_tre1998) April 16, 2018
A similar episode was in the regular season match against San Antonio. Harden bounced to the left and threw from behind the arc. Under the video of the moment on the NBA page on Twitter, a comment was made by the Golden State head coach0003 Steve Kerr : "It's a shame. I think the league is so happy with the points that they don't want to counteract it."
Why Steve delete this pic.twitter.com/4oAMgr7KaV — James Margs!! (@JamesMargariti) February 2, 2018
Kerr deleted the tweet and blamed it on his new iPhone - he allegedly wanted to send a private message instead of tweeting. D'Antoni joked about this: “There was no run. I wanted to tweet about it, but sent a message.
Accusations of breaking the rules spread like that. that even the former UMMC and Los Angeles Sparks basketball player laughs at Harden Candence Parker : "When James Harden does 'running man' he doesn't have a run, but when I do an up and under, is that a run?"
"James Harden be doing the Running Man, and that's not a travel?" - @Candace_Parker
#KGArea21 pic. twitter.com/ZgozL6am6s - KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) April 25, 2018
"I don't know if James Harden will be the MVP in 2018, but he already left the MVP by runs. Sorry LeBron - you held on for an incredibly long time, ”wrote the journalist Bill Simmons .
I don’t know if Harden will win the 2018 MVP, but he’s already locked up the 2018 MVP Of Traveling. Sorry, LeBron - you had an unbelievable run. https://t.co/jaXWL5fDY6 — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 26, 2018
But the NBA doesn't think Harden is running. Back in 2009, an amendment unique to basketball was made to the rules of the league. The step during which the player takes the ball in his hands began to be considered zero. That is, after it, you can take two more steps.
Ronnie Nan , 19-year-old arbitrator, explains for BBALBREAKDOWN:
“If you step to the side, back or forward, everything is the same: you take the ball, and then you take the first and second step. When I chaired the umpires committee, I said things like [Harden's shot against San Antonio] didn't need to be worked out in detail. It's a dance. How do you dance a waltz? Anyone who understands even a little about dancing knows that the waltz is one - two - three. And in our case it is zero - one - two. Harden takes the ball, pushes off his right foot, moves to his left and puts his right foot in for a shot."
#JamesHarden is putting on a show!#Rockets
Tune in: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/155wTPcoI3 — NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2018
Judge Zach Zarba NBA) for Business Insider:
“I would ask everyone to look [at the moment] when the ball is picked up. You will see that the supporting leg does not take the first step. This is step zero. And when after a zero step you make one or two, everything is according to the rules of the NBA.
Harden uses this trick not only in stepback. To the Eurostep - two steps in different directions - James also adds one more step. The NBA refereeing corps Twitter page conducted a poll: did Harden make a run in this Eurostep.
64% of subscribers answered yes. According to the judges, they were wrong. “This is NOT a run. Look closely: Harden takes the ball with his right foot still on the floor. This does not count as a [first] step. Then he steps on the left foot, and then on the right, and this is the first - the second step.
Naturally, this interpretation of the rules has many opponents. “Taking the ball is a vague concept. I still don't understand him,” Stephen Curry told . “We are forgiven two, one and a half steps. I know that the judges do not want to hear this, but it is so, ”says Vince Carter .
“They go six meters without dribbling,” said Knicks star Walt Frazier , who played in the 60s and 70s. “That's what they're allowed to do today. At some points it's so obvious. During broadcasts, I yell “It’s a run! Watch your feet!" Wilt Chamberlain would have scored 100 points if he had been allowed to play like that. "
Frazier's claims are very reasonable, but there is no chance that the NBA will tighten the rules. The zero step increases the performance of the players and, as a result, their popularity. This loophole in the rules is already used by almost all the stars of the league. For example, Milwaukee forward Janis Antetokounmpo : everyone is amazed at how he walks almost half the court in one run, but few people pay attention to his three steps.
Now the league is only interested in recording the very obvious runs. Officiating Vice President Joe Borgea thinks that in today's hyper-athletic NBA, it's hard to see even four steps or three wrong tackles:
“It seems that everything is simple. The player completed possession, gained control of the ball and proceeded to the shot ring. Now try to watch a player who is racing at full speed, and next to him one or two defenders. [The referee] needs to see if the attacking player has been pushed. And he has a height of two meters, a foot and a ball are separated by a whole meter. And which foot was on the floor when he took the ball? That's what we're facing."
Shooting exercises
replica swiss watches
Basketball is a great team game, the team consists of players whose skill is achieved with great effort. The only person who can understand that you are working hard is yourself. Remember, you only get out of the game what you put into it. Give yourself to her without a trace.
Jump shot
In basketball, an outstanding sniper is a piece item. If you want to be a great sniper, all you need to do is just want to be one.
First, you must improve your skills.
This includes having a good coach and years of training. Secondly, you must improve in game mode.
This means that you must perform throwing drills at the same intensity as in the game. It's far better to hit 100 shots in play than 500 sloppy shots that a good defender would never let you make in a game. Finally, you must understand that working on a roll is like investing in a bank. If you don't deposit anything into your account, you won't receive dividends when you need them.
The sniper must have "throw school". When throwing after dribbling, one of the main features is the last hit of the ball on the court, which must be fast and strong so that it bounces higher, right into your hands - this will help you not waste time handling the ball.
Individual Shooting Exercises
Exercise 1 Attention Concentration
Start close to the ring.
Throw with one hand. Follow correct technique.
Make five from each position. Take a step back and repeat (Fig. 1).
Exercise 2 7 throwing positions and rebound (4 meters)
Jump shot from position 1.
Pick up the ball, dribble quickly to position 7, shoot.
Pick-up, fast with lead back to position 1.
Make 10 rolls.
Repeat the same steps using positions 6 and 2, 5 and 3, 4 (Fig. 2).
Exercise 3 7 shooting positions and a rebound (from behind the three-point line)
1. Repeat the same steps as in exercise 2 (fig. 3).
Exercise 4 Throw after stop
Start from position 1, toss the ball to position
Pick it up, while you have to run around the ball so that you are facing the ring.
Make 10 rolls, then advance to the next position.
Ex.5 Shooting from five positions after a fake move (from four meters or from behind the three-point line)
Start from any position.
On bent knees and with your head up, you do a throw feint, hit the ball one or two with your right hand, stop and jump.
Get back into position, throw feint, one or two hits with the ball with the left hand, stop, throw.
At each position, 5 attempts (Fig. 5).
Exercise 6 Jump shots after dribbling
Start the exercise from the center of the field, move towards the dribbling ring at game speed, after stopping quickly shoot.
The shot must be taken from a middle distance or from behind a three-point arc. Perform the exercise, both on the right and on the left and in the middle of the site.
Use different types of dribbles: fast, broken, pivots, etc.
Make 5 attempts in each direction (Fig. 6).
Exercise 7 Playing with a virtual opponent
Perform a free throw. If you have implemented it, you get one point. If not, then your "opponent" is three.
You make subsequent throws from any position except the three-second zone, imitating the rhythm of the game. Work on different moves and throws. Each of your successful attempts is estimated at the bottom of the point, unsuccessful at two for the "opponent". The game goes to 11 points.
This is a very good exercise to consolidate what you have learned. Try! Improve! (Fig. 7).
Double shots
Dr. 8 2 players, shot and rebound (4 meters or from behind the three-point line)
The drill starts with a good, clear pass. The player who made the pass from under the basket goes to the place of the thrower.
The player in position 1 catches the ball and shoots.
After the shot, the player runs to the rebound and then passes the ball 1 position and so on.
Each player must make five rolls. The exercise is performed at a fast pace, but the throws should not be sloppy.
Then the transition to another position and everything is the same (Fig. 8).
Exercise 9 Two players, throw and rebound (per result)
The exercise is performed as described above.
The player who made the pass tries to interfere with the shot, but does not block.
Game up to 5 hits.
Then we move to another position, and so on. (Fig. 9).
Exercise 10 Two players, throw and rebound, throw feint
The exercise is performed in the same way as the previous one.
The defender who made the pass tries to interfere with the player in position 1, but does not block the shot.
The attacker makes a throw feint and beats the defender.
Performs a short dribble, stops and throws.
Do 5 times each and change position (Fig. 10).
Ex. 11 2 players, shot after a stoppage (from four meters or from behind the three-point line)
The attacker is in position 1, ready to receive the pass.
The player under the basket passes.
After the throw, the attacker waits for the rebound to be made.
The player receives a pass by making a stop, but already in position 2. Then back.
Make 7 throws, two free throws and switch (fig. 11).
Ex.12 Moving shots (from four meters or three-point arc)
Attacker moves around the perimeter at game speed.
A player passes to the hand farthest from the ring.
The attacker must stop, catch the ball and throw.
Make seven throws, two free throws and change (fig. 12).
Note: The previous exercise has three options.
A) Receive the ball and throw it.
B) After receiving, throwing feint, dribbling in the same direction, throwing.
B) Receives a pass, throw feint, dribbling to the ring in the other direction, stop, throw.
Ex. 13 Various dribbling options and a jump shot
The attacker starts from the center of the field and, dribbling at game speed, moves towards the ring, stops and takes a jump shot.
The player under the basket picks up the ball, the attacker runs to the center of the field, and receives the ball on the opposite flank. Moves with dribbling to the ring, stop, jump shot.
On the right side, dribbling with the right hand, on the left - with the left (Fig. 13)
Note: Use speed dribbling, change of pace, transitions, pivots.
Three players, two balls
Exercise 14 Warm-up exercise
One player throws, another passes, a third rebounds.
Thrower becomes rebounder after seven tries.
Passer - thrower. Picking up - passing (Fig. 14).
Note: various options are possible
1) From seven positions (four meters)
2) From seven positions (from behind the three-point arc)
3) From five points with feints to shoot
4) Throw after stoppage
5) Throw and rebound (constant rotation around the circle)
Double throws: using screens
To use the screen effectively, you must read the defender correctly. You must always see the player with the ball and how the defender defends against you. A player who moves well off the ball and knows how to use screens correctly is very useful offensively. When you watch a match that has good players, notice how well they move off the ball. The hardest thing to defend against is a well-moving attacker.
Exercise 15 Back screen and snatch
The player imitates opening and screening behind his back, makes a dash to the corner of the court.
Throw to near hand.
Attacker catches the ball and shoots.
The attacker picks up his shot, passes to a partner and returns to his original position.
Make seven attempts and change (Fig. 15)
Note: do not back away when dashing, turn and run, but do not lose sight of the ball.
Ex. 16 Screening behind the back, "false" screening
1. Attacker starts on the base of the trapezoid and moves up to imitate the screening.
2. After the imaginary breakout runs, the screening attacker rises to the ball and prepares to receive the pass.
3. Having caught the pass, he immediately makes a throw.
4. Make seven attempts and change (Fig. 16).
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An attacker imitates a defender aiming for a screen and quickly rises to the ball.
The player must be ready to receive the ball.
The attacker catches the ball and makes a quick throw.
Make seven attempts and change (Fig. 17)
Exercise 18 Screening the ball carrier, moving away from the ring
The attacker screens the ball carrier.
The ball carrier passes through the screen aggressively.
Instead of backing into the basket (deuce), the screening attacker moves away from the basket and prepares to receive the pass.
Having caught the ball, he immediately makes a throw.
Make seven attempts, then switch.
Exercise 19 Barrier at the base of the trapezoid - opening to the flank
The attacker takes the player under the ring, breaks shoulder to shoulder through the barrier and makes a dash to the flank.
When catching the ball, the player must turn to the ring.
Use different throw options: just throw, and dribbling to the right or left after a throw feint. Change after five attempts (Fig. 19).
Exercise 20 Barrier at the base of the trapezoid - opening into the corner of the court
The attacker leads the player into the three-second zone, pretends that he will break through to the flank through the barrier, the defender starts running around the shielder through the three-second zone.
An attacker rushes into the corner of the court and the defender hits the screen.
Next, the same as in the previous exercise (Fig. 20).
Exercise 21 Screen at the base of the trapezoid - dash inward
The defender is chasing you, not falling behind until the very screen.
Then you run through the screen as close to the screener as possible and break into the three-second zone or foul line area.
This will create more balance and rhythm on the shot, and allow you to adjust to any reaction by the defender. 
The once gimmicky shot became an art form.
Yes, it’s very, very close to a travel. It is almost never called. And its has been one of the most deadly shots in the league for 5 years now.
This is a travel. #RocketsNation pic.twitter.com/0WYi8wATyF 
Harden bounced to the left and threw from behind the arc. Under the video of the moment on the NBA page on Twitter, a comment was made by the Golden State head coach0003 Steve Kerr : "It's a shame. I think the league is so happy with the points that they don't want to counteract it." 
twitter.com/ZgozL6am6s 
When I chaired the umpires committee, I said things like [Harden's shot against San Antonio] didn't need to be worked out in detail. It's a dance. How do you dance a waltz? Anyone who understands even a little about dancing knows that the waltz is one - two - three. And in our case it is zero - one - two. Harden takes the ball, pushes off his right foot, moves to his left and puts his right foot in for a shot." 
The NBA refereeing corps Twitter page conducted a poll: did Harden make a run in this Eurostep. 
" 
[The referee] needs to see if the attacking player has been pushed. And he has a height of two meters, a foot and a ball are separated by a whole meter. And which foot was on the floor when he took the ball? That's what we're facing." 
It's far better to hit 100 shots in play than 500 sloppy shots that a good defender would never let you make in a game. Finally, you must understand that working on a roll is like investing in a bank. If you don't deposit anything into your account, you won't receive dividends when you need them. -Step-5.jpg/aid43486-v4-728px-Play-21-(Basketball)-Step-5.jpg)
The game goes to 11 points. 
