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How to get past someone 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!

Official Guide to Attacking Your Defender : Basketball

You're all more than welcome to add your own tips and edits, I'd love to learn more about 1 on 1 basketball or getting buckets in general.

ON THE CATCH

As soon as the ball is coming your way, you want to get an idea of how the court is laid out. Look at the court, and look especially at your defender. Ask yourself questions. Is the paint crowded or is it empty? Are you being double teamed? Are there any obvious passes? It sounds like overthinking, but you really just need to keep your eyes up and you'll answer all these subconsciously.

Now that you've got the obvious stuff out of the way, you got to make a move.

  1. Is the defender playing off of you? Pop it. If you can’t shoot well, you need to work on that. Watch pro players, 50% of their points are just off easy shots. Driving to the basket is a lot harder cause there are more variables. The lane has to be open and the paint is much more crowded in high levels of basketball.

  2. Is he playing too tight? Blow by, use your off arm to PUSH THEIR ARM ASIDE. This is very important cause it means they cant cut you off and push you away from the basket. They are temporarily immobilized, but don't be too obvious or rough about it. If the lane isn’t open, dribble into the gap between where your defender was and where one of your teamate’s defender is, so that both defenders follow you and you get a wide open pass.

  3. Is he playing in the middle? You got to get him off you then.

ATTACKING

  1. Pump Fake - Give him one or two pump fakes. If he doesn't bite (assuming your pump fake is believable and you're really selling it) and you're confident in your shot, pop it. If you got him to jump, then you need to drive the second he gets off the ground, you've got an open lane.

  2. Jab - If the pump didn't work in your favor, give him a jab. JAB HIS TOP FOOT. And you're not just gonna put your foot in between him and the basket. You're gonna get him off you. Think about it this way. You're gonna explode to the basket but try not to move at the same time. Explode, but keep your pivot foot planted. You want him away from you and the ball. Hell, yell at him to get off you while you do it. If this doesn't work, then you didn't jab hard enough or believable enough. However, if he's fast enough to catch up to you while you drive, you need to counter and use a combo like jab-pump-drive.

  3. Analyze - Alright, lets look at it. If he can guard your jab, and your pump combos, you've got to put the ball on the floor and get him to move. If you can’t handle the ball, work on ball handling. This doesn’t just mean work on between the legs, behind the back, shamgod, etc., if you look at players like Kawhi, Kobe, and Jordan, they have very basic footwork moves and don’t use many advanced dribbling moves. Ball handling simply means being able to move with the ball as efficiently as if you didn’t have a basketball. For example, can you sprint with the basketball as fast as you can sprint without a basketball? Can you attack a closeout?

If you're being guarded by someone faster or better than you, you've got to exploit his weaknesses. Does he seem to not have any? He does, but for the time being you gotta score. Look at his top foot. Which foot is closer to you? You want to attack in the direction of that foot so that he has to open up his body and slide all the way to meet up with you. Play to your strengths, if you can body him to the basket then go drive. If you can shoot, try to get him off you and use a stepback.

Read your defender's momentum. If his hips are turned and he is following you to the basket and you are side to side with him, a snatchback or a stepback will get an easy jumper, if it doesnt send them flying first. If the layup is open and you can't shoot, you got to get your front foot in front his feet, and put him on your backside so you can cut him off. If you do, there is nothing he can do but foul you. Make contact as well, use that hip and shoulder to bully your defender but dont drop the shoulder. If you're afraid of contact and you're driving to the basket, you will never score consistently. This is something I struggle with. In any situation, if you want to negate the other person's ability to jump or contest a layup, you have to jump into their body. Go at em like a football player. Contact is extremely underrated in basketball, you can use that shoulder to bump someone when you're driving and if you're strong enough, they usually give you about 2 feet of space, enough to finish or give a good pumpfake. Last suggestion, an old trade secret of Kobe's, when you are on defense and your player is driving to the basket with the ball, pinning their inside hand to your hip, as in grabbing their hand and pushing it against your waist, can slow them down so much and completely get rid of their other arm. They also cant explode and jump into you nearly as well.

Good luck with everything and add any comments or suggestions you have. Thanks for reading.

Rules of Basketball

How the rules have changed in your favorite game

How the rules have changed in your favorite game

WE ALL LOVE TO PLAY BASKETBALL, BUT DO YOU KNOW THE RULES EXACTLY?

Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. Then everything was different: playgrounds, baskets, balls…

!!! Read about the evolution of balls in the article:

Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. Then everything was different: playgrounds, baskets, balls…

!!! Read about the evolution of balls in the article:

The history of basketballs

The history of basketballs

What balls are played now and how it happened

The beginning

The rules have also changed a lot during this time. Initially, there were only 13 of them in basketball:

  1. The ball can be thrown in any direction with one or two hands.
  2. The ball may be hit with one or both hands in any direction, but never with the fist.
  3. The player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw the ball from the point at which he caught it, except for a player running at high speed.
  4. The ball must be held with the hands. You can not use the forearms and body to hold the ball.
  5. In any case, hitting, grabbing, holding and pushing the opponent is not allowed. The first violation of this rule by any player shall be called a foul; the second foul disqualifies him until the next ball is scored, and if there was an obvious intention to injure the player, then a disqualification for the entire game. It is not allowed to replace a disqualified player.
  6. Punching the ball is a violation of points 2 and 4, the penalty is described in point 5.
  7. commit no foul).
  8. A point is scored if a ball thrown or bouncing off the floor hits the basket and stays there. Defending players are not allowed to touch the ball or basket while shooting. If the ball touches the edge and the opponents move the basket, then a point is scored.
  9. If the ball goes out of bounds, it must be dropped into the field by the first player to touch it. In the event of a dispute, the referee must throw the ball into the field. The thrower is allowed to hold the ball for five seconds. If he holds it longer, then the ball is given to the opponent. If either side tries to play for time, the referee must give them a foul.
  10. The referee must monitor the actions of the players and fouls, and notify the referee of three consecutive fouls. He shall have the power to disqualify players under rule 5.
  11. The referee must watch the ball and determine when the ball is in play (inbounds) and when it goes out of bounds (out of bounds), which side should be in possession of the ball, and any other action that the referee would normally take .
  12. The game consists of two halves of 15 minutes each with a break of 5 minutes between them.
  13. The side with the most goals during this time period is the winner.

The most important rule change in the history of basketball is the introduction of dribbling. In the original version of the game, this was prohibited by paragraph 3 of the rules.

One of the first changes in the game and the rules was the replacement of the basket with a ring with a net. It seemed to be very inconvenient to climb after the ball every time after a hit. Around the same time, free throws, dribbling appeared, and the composition of the teams was fixed for 5 players on the court at the same time. Before that, in some matches, up to 50 people could be on the court at the same time. All this happened back in 1896-1897.

The emergence of FIBA ​​(International Basketball Federation)

Basketball in the early 20th century became more popular and the rules in each country could be different. This was one of the reasons why FIBA ​​appeared in 1932 year. At the first FIBA ​​Congress, the teams were approved (5 people and 2 substitutes), and it was decided that after each goal there would be a throw-in in the center. This rule was removed after 4 years to reduce the advantage of tall players.

Over the next few years, the main changes were related to the number of personal fouls, the number of players on the bench and the introduction of a time limit for getting the ball into the opponent's half of the court.

More changes came in 1952 after the Olympics. The game became very boring, because the teams held the ball, having received a minimal lead in the score. Everyone understood this and searched for solutions for several years in order to save the life of basketball. At 1954 Danny Biason proposed to the NBA to limit the time for the shot to 24 seconds. At the 1956 Olympics, there was a similar rule: it was necessary to make a throw in 30 seconds. At the same time, to add equality between defense and attack, another rule familiar to us appeared: you need to start dribbling the ball before the supporting leg comes off.

Then the game became similar to the modern one from a technical point of view: dribbling, shots, a three-second zone appeared. In 1979, the NBA added a three-point line, and in 19In 1984, FIBA ​​also added an arc.

!!! An article about the evolution of the three-point shot and interesting facts:

10 interesting facts about the three-point shot.

10 interesting facts about the three-point shot.

Three-pointer evolution and insane records.

Changes in the rules and basketball since 1956 have included the number of free kicks, the situations in which these free kicks are given, and individual and team penalties. Some rules were introduced, and a few years later they were canceled. For example, the "3 for 2" rule: if a player was fouled in the shooting phase, then if one of the first two shots was missed, he could make another free throw. This rule was later removed.

Since the 1990s there have been constant changes: the emergence of alley-oops, changes in the timing and rewriting of the rules of running, which continue to this day.

From the most interesting: if the team has 0.3 seconds or less to throw the ball from behind, then it must be a one-touch throw. It takes at least 0.4 seconds to perform a full throw.

Derrick Fisher made similar throws:

And here is a small selection of videos of how they throw in 0.2 seconds:

Do you want to take your first steps in basketball or improve your basic skills? We have a Basic Basketball Skills workout for you. See the schedule and sign up:

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Coach: Yuriy Bespalov

- Professional player of the INANOMO 3x3 team;
- Champion of Russia 3x3 2019, 2021;
- Winner and medalist of the MOFB championship;
- MLBL Summer League MVP 2017;
- Multiple participant of Moscow Open;
- Champion of Moscow 3x3 2017;
- MVP GrunisCup 2017.

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Professional Guide

Updated by

Basketball player is a professional basketball player. Such a team game is popular, first of all, in the USA. In Russia, it is somewhat inferior to football and hockey, but still quite in demand. By the way, the ProfGid career guidance center has recently developed an accurate career guidance test that will tell you which professions suit you, give an opinion about your personality type and intelligence.

  • Professional knowledge
  • Famous basketball players
  • Examples of companies with basketball vacancies
  • See also:

    Brief description: what is a basketball player?

    The basic rules of basketball are usually known to everyone: two teams enter the field, the one with the most points wins. Points are given for hitting the ball into a basket hanging at a height of 3.05 meters from the floor. The number of points that is counted for each hit depends on the distance from which the throw was made. In the process of moving around the field, players must dribble the ball, beating it off the floor, and not hold it in their hands.

    Features of the profession

    A professional sports career requires a lot of energy, effort, time and dedication. A basketball player must always be in good shape, his salary and popularity largely depend on the performance of his performance on the field, and he must work closely with other team members. The main duties of a basketball player are as follows:

    • Daily attendance at training.
    • Compliance with the regime of the day and nutrition.
    • Participation in matches.
    • Participation in non-match events of the club.
    • Regular medical examination, following the recommendations of the doctor and trainer.

    A basketball player must be prepared for the fact that he will periodically have to change the clubs he plays for, participate in international competitions from his country, and even during the match, cooperate with different groups of players (frequent substitutions are very common in this game).

    Pros and cons of the basketball profession

    Pros
    1. Prestigious profession with a decent salary.
    2. Opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
    3. Opportunity to travel, communicate with representatives of different countries and peoples.
    4. The joy of victories and the support of fans.

    See also:

    Cons
    1. The need for talent or extensive experience to gain recognition and sign expensive contracts.
    2. Negative emotions from defeats.
    3. Occupational diseases (herniated disc, knee problems, Schlatter's disease).
    4. Age restrictions on career length.

    Important Personal Qualities

    In order to successfully fill a basketball position and be successful in this field, an athlete must be in very good physical condition, must not have serious chronic diseases, must have excellent stamina, concentration, movement speed and reactions, perfect coordination. Most often, very tall athletes become successful basketball players. Analytical thinking, the ability to follow the strategy developed by the coach, make decisions quickly, and work together with the rest of the team will also not interfere.

    Basketball training

    Russian universities and colleges do not offer basketball training as such. You can learn how to play basketball in sports schools, and then improve your skills in basketball clubs. In parallel, you can get a sports education (including to successfully work as a coach after completing a career in big-time sports). In this context, the specialty "Physical Education" in colleges (code 49. 02.01) or the same name in universities (code 49.03.01). A certificate is sufficient for admission to a secondary school, in addition to it, the results of the Unified State Examination in the Russian language, biology and physics are required for admission to the university.

    Courses

    Stremlenie Basketball Club

    It is necessary to think about where to get the profession of a basketball player, if you have the appropriate inclinations, from childhood. Therefore, most basketball schools offer training for children and teenagers. One of these schools is the Stremlenie basketball club, where individual and team trainings are held. Members of the club also take part in competitions.

    Best universities for basketball players

    1. MSPU
    2. RGSU
    3. MGOU
    4. RGUFKSMiT
    5. RGUFK them. P.F. Lesgafta
    6. RSPU im. A.I. Herzen

    Read also:

    Place of work

    Basketball players play for basketball clubs, national teams. At the end of their careers, they work as coaches (both in adult clubs and in children's sports schools).

    Salary of a basketball player

    The level of income of such an athlete directly depends on his talent, experience, professionalism and fame. The more useful a basketball player can bring to the club, the higher the salary will be offered to him.

    Basketball player salary for October 2022

    Salary information provided by hh.ru portal.

    Russia 100000-250000₽

    Career growth

    Building a career for a professional athlete is about improving your skills and getting more and more lucrative offers from clubs. With age, it may also involve a change from activity to coaching.

    Professional knowledge

    1. Human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.
    2. History of physical culture.
    3. Psychology of physical culture.
    4. Management of physical culture and sports.
    5. Biomechanics of motor activity.

      Learn more