Passing Basketball

Basketball is a team game and passing is essential, it is also one of the triple threat stance. Passing is entrusting a ball to your teammate, it reinforces the whole team's communication and morale. Its psychological effect is least pronounced but very important. It requires some self sacrifice of personal glory, but it certainly does a greater good to the team. The statistic that is awarded towards a passer is called an assist. And it is a valued stats for point guards.

Passing travels much faster than a playing dribbling it. So if a teammate is ahead and the path is clear, pass it. When you do a pass, it is crucial for the passer and receiver to acknowledge before doing a pass. Eye contact is usually a good way to communicate. It is usually the passer who dictates where the ball is going and who is receiving it. But the receiver can also demand the ball by calling out or gesturing. Just make sure you are in a safe position before demanding the ball.

Passing can also act as an contingency plan when the drive to the basketball fails. If the driver is heavily defended, it is a good idea to ditch the ball out to someone else. The same goes for shooters. If the shooter is confronted, and his only options are shoot or pass, pass it. You will need good awareness if you want to be a great passer.

On the other hand, if a player decided he is the best of the team and stop passing the ball, the team will definitely drown is low morale. Don't do it, it pisses people off. It certainly piss me of. So please don't do it. When a player does that, the team stops to back him up and play as if he is not part of the team. Needless to say the team suffers. Even if that jerk made all the shots, it still hurts the team.

There are many ways to do a pass: You do a overhead pass; when your teammate towers over his opponent; getting yourself surrounded and then ditch the ball where your teammate is opened; bounce pass when you need to avoid an interception. So to speak, you'll need good experience to determine when and how to pass the ball.

Now know that passing is great, but you can't score just by passing. What I mean is that if you or someone in your team is really hot that day, give him the ball. Now am I contradicting myself with all that not being selfish philosophy? Well, depends on what nature of game you are playing. If you are playing for real, don't kid yourself thinking that passing the ball around will get you a win.

Basketball Fake Spin

What is a fake-spin in basketball dribbling?

After mastering the basketball spin-move (i.e. you have an effective and powerful spin move that enables you to get by your defender with a breeze.), it¡¯s time to keep you opponent guessing more. That is, you can feign a spin move and then get by the opponent without actually performing one. In terms of movement, it is essentially doing half a spin-move and while your back is pressing against your defender, you turn back to your originally direction instead of completing the spin.

What do I need for a fake spin in basketball dribbling?

• A tight hook on the basketball: when you perform a fake-spin, your basketball is traveling at a great velocity as if you are performing a spin-move. Yet, the difficulty level is intensified because you have to counteract the ball¡¯s momentum swiftly. Hence, a normal grip is not enough. Instead, you will need a hook grip.
• Exceptional footwork: To execute the fake-spin efficaciously and smoothly, you need to take the right step at the right time. You also have to feel comfortable performing the criss-cross motion with your legs.
• An awareness of opponent¡¯s position: Spin-move is about out-competing your defender for space and planting your feet around your defender. The fake-spin also demands the same thing
• Quick feet: Unlike doing a spin move, having great footwork is not enough for a fake-spin. If you don¡¯t change direction quickly, your defender is going to recover and stay in front of you.

What are the steps for performing the spin-move in basketball dribbling?

(Assuming the player is right-handed)

1. Drive towards your defender with speed
2. When you encounter your defender, give the ball a huge bounce
3. While the ball hangs, heel-pivot* your left foot
4. Push hard with your right toe to rotate your body 180 degrees to the left
5. Swing the ball over to the left also while maintaining a hook grip
6. Now your back should be facing your defender, quickly turn your left shoulder into left shoulder
7. Essentially, you are going back to your original direction
8. Lower your body and drive into the open lane.

What combination series of basketball moves can incorporate into the fake-spin?

• Drive ¨¤ Fake-spin (to the left) ¨¤ Eye and shoulder fake to the left ¨¤ Pull the ball to the right and forward ¨¤ Drive

Difficulty level: intermediate

Comment: This is just the basic move to convince your defender that you are spinning one way. Yet, you must do it sincerely and quickly.

• Drive ¨¤ Fake-spin (to the left) ¨¤ Pull the ball to the right without going forward ¨¤ Pull back ¨¤ Jump shot

Difficulty level: upper-intermediate

Comment: This move can be executed after the previous move. After you fake-spin, your defender will anticipate it and jump way back to block your way. In this case, you can perform a pull-back to maximize the distance between you and your defender and then get a clean look for the Jay.

In what situation can I use the fake-spin basketball move?

When your defender:

• Fears your spin move

• Slower than you and have a tough time recovering

• Loves stealing the basketball

• When you are shorter and able to squeeze by him

When the situation is like this:

• There¡¯s an open lane in the paint to spin

• When there are no picks beside your defender

• When the opposing team is playing man-on-man defense

Basketball Spin Move

What is a spin-move in basketball dribbling?

This basketball dribbling move is also called the spinnin'-o-rama. Spin-move is a basketball dribbling move in which you rotate your body around your opponent while applying weight on your opponent. By the looks of it, it seems to be a move of rotating your body 360 degrees. Wrong! It is actually consisted of two 180-degree spins combined together smoothly.

What does it take to do a spin-move in basketball dribbling?

• A strong grip: when you perform a spin-move, your basketball is traveling at a great velocity and a tight grip or a cradle grip is needed to maintain control on the basketball in motion.

• A mind fearless of contact: Many basketball players tend to avoid contact and choose to squeeze by opponents or blow by defenders with speed. Spin-move requires constant body contact for successful execution.
• Exceptional footwork: To execute the spin-move efficaciously and smoothly, you need to take the right step at the right time while twisting your foot at the right angle.
• An awareness of opponent¡¯s position: Spin-move is about out-competing your defender for space and planting your feet in a favorable spot so that you can rotate your shoulder and try to get around your defender while you are applying pressure on your defender to secure your own position

What are the steps for performing the spin-move in basketball dribbling?

(Assuming the player is right-handed)

1. Drive towards your defender and the hoop with speed
2. When you encounter your defender, give the ball a huge bounce
3. While the ball hangs, heel-pivot* your left foot
4. First half-spin: Push hard with your right toe to rotate your body 180 degrees to the left
5. Swing the ball over to the left also while maintaining a tight grip
6. Now your back should be facing your defender, bump into him with your back
7. As soon as you are clinging to your defender with your back, heel pivot again with your right foot
8. Second half-spin: Push hard with your left foot to spin 180 degrees until you are facing the hoop again
9. During the second half-spin, Your right shoulder should be in contact and rubbing off your defender at all times.
10. Leave the ball behind this time and use your left hand to fetch it after spinning.
11. Push hard with your right foot again for a drive.

*Heel-pivot is when you lift your toes and use your ankle (the "ball" of your feet) as the ONLY fixed contact point with the ground so that you can initiate a spin. The purpose of doing a heel-pivot is to reduce the friction between your foot and the ground by decreasing the contact area of the foot with the ground.

The spin-move is seemingly one move. Yet, in fact, it is a combination of two half-spins in a silkily smooth manner. The first stage half-spin is completed with your back to the hoop while moving the basketball sideways. The second half-spin is completed when you turn and face the hoop again.

What are the useful basketball combination moves that incorporates the spin-move

• Drive towards baseline ¨¤ hesitation head fake ¨¤ Drive ONE STEP towards the basketball hoop (bounce hard) ¨¤ Spin move away from baseline ¨¤ Bank shot

Level of difficulty: intermediate

How and why useful? You seemingly entrap yourself at the baseline and force a shot. Defenders will always come closer to apply more pressure. As he comes closer, you spin away. A typical manipulation of the mind. Also, when you spin away from baseline and face the hoop again, it is almost always the perfect angle to bank it. Know your positions

• Drive towards basketball hoop ¨¤ bumps into defender lightly ¨¤ spin move into the defender ¨¤ BIG pump-fake a shot ¨¤ step forward if d jumped ¨¤ floater

Level of difficulty:intermediate

How and why useful? Defenders are often allergic to spin move because it is good at creating space for a shot. Hence, they are likely to jump right after a spin move. Do a pump fake will get them totally off you.

In what situations do I perform the spin move in basketball dribbling

Checklist about your defender

• When your defender is plant his feet on the ground and slow in reaction

• When your defender likes to repel any contact you initiate

• When your defender place his arms on the side for coverage but occasionally steals

• When your defender defends by focusing on your arms swinging movement

• When the position of your defender's feet are leveled (i.e. both feet are equidistant from you)

• When your defender focuses on the ball when defending (losing sight of the ball startles him)

Checklist about the setting

• When your team decides to play isolation for you because a double crossover takes time to set up

• When no other defenders are nearby you to perform help defense

• When there is space for you to plant both of your feet firmly after spinning

• When the targeted side of where your double-crossover is finally heading is unpopulated or near a boundary

Behind-the-Back Dribble

What is a behind-the-back in basketball dribbling?

A behind-the-back is a basketball move in which you bring the ball behind your back to the side while the basketball bounces up. Then cross the ball around your legs in the back to your other hand.

What does it take to do a crossover in basketball dribbling?

-Dexterous and long hands: You need them to maintain excellent control when you are doing the crossover around your legs in the back. Long arms keep the distance between the basketball and your defender at a maximum.

-Strong wrist: When you fully extend your arm backwards, the only way you can push the basketball sideways is by snapping your wrist. Hence, having a strong wrist is very important too to execute a quick behind-the-back.

-A natural awareness of the position of the ball: When doing the behind-the-back basketball move. Not only does the defender lose sight of the ball, but the ball handling basketball player will also be unable to keep gazing at the ball.

General step-by-step guide to doing a behind-the-back in basketball

1. Start dribbling at the point or around the perimeter
2. Drive towards one side, (let's pretend you are going right for this example)
3. When your defender commits himself, place the ball behind your back on the side. You can do this in two ways*
4. Bend your knees slightly first, then cross the ball behind your back to the left
5. As soon as you catch the ball on your left, push hard with your right foot to propel your body to the left. It is almost as if you are hopping sideways.

• *i) overtake the ball in position by moving your body a little forward; ii) use the hangtime of the basketball to drag the ball back.

What are the effective basketball moves combination series related to the behind-the-back basketball move

• crossover (to right) > between-the-leg crossover (to left) > behind-the-back crossover (back to right) > drive

• drive > behind-the-back crossover (x2) > hesitation > headfake > drive

• drive > behind-the-back crossover > spin-move > layup

In what situations do I perform the behind-the-back in basketball dribbling

About your defender

• When your defender overplays you one side

• When your defender always attempt to steal but you want to penetrate nevertheless

• When your defender has shorter arms than you do

• When your defender has weak legs that cannot react to sudden changes in momentum.

• When your defender defends by focusing on the ball

About the setting

• When there is an open lane to drive towards the basketball hoop after you perform the behind-the-back

• When no defenders are behind you to steal your basketball

Double Cross-over

What is a double-crossover in basketball dribbling

As the name suggests, it is a basketball move which is constituted of two back-to-back crossovers. In essence, it is a controlled, low, and small crossover followed by a quick, huge crossover.

What does it take to do a double-crossover in basketball dribbling

Exceptional ball-handling skills: This is a must for executing the double crossover because the ball is likely to be still in motion when you are performing your second crossover. You need to develop total control over the basketball before you can attempt to use this move. Ambidexterity is a necessary condition for this move.

Hand-mind coordination: The hardest part of executing the perfect double-crossover is that basketball players tend to wait too long for the ball to stabilize after the first small cross. This will give enough time for the opponents to get back into position even if he bites on your bate cross. To perform this move flawlessly, you need to react very quickly. As soon as your mind realizes that the ball is close to stabilizing, your receiving hand with respect to the bouncing ball should have already started to counteract the force of the first small cross and initiate the second big cross.

Two equally strong thighs: To convince your defender that your first cross is sincere, you need to push really hard with one leg. Then, when you perform your second big cross for the win, you need to push equally strong, if not stronger, with the other leg to counteract your original momentum.

General step-by-step guide to doing a double-crossover in basketball

1. Dribble towards your opponent while slightly leaning towards the right
2. Get your opponent to follow you and move slight to your right
3. Do a sudden small cross to the left and swing your shoulder also to the left so that you look more sincere
4. If your opponent jumps right at your lane, counteract your momentum by pushing hard with your left leg towards the right side
5. Perform a vigorous, quick crossover in front to get past your opponent
6. Full steam ahead along the open lane

What are the useful basketball combination moves that incorporates the double crossover

• (Before initiating dribble) Right shoulder fake > Swing ball over to the left > Head fake > Double crossover (left-right-left) > Drive

How and why useful? The constant changes in direction and intention mesmerize the enemy. You have faked 5 directions before you drive. If executed correctly, you opponent will most probably be frozen on the ground. *Notice that (left-right-left) means that your cross the ball from left to right and then from right to left in two crossovers

• Freestyle dribbling > Double crossover (quick and small) > Swing your head as if looking for someone to pass > Double crossover (quick and huge) > Drive

How and why useful? You are creating a situation where your defender will be off-guard because you have conditioned him or her to think that your double crossover has no ensuing actions and you take advantage of it. *The freestyle dribbling is for loosening up your opponents

In what situations do I perform the double-crossover in basketball dribbling

Checklist about your defender

• When your defender is allergic to crossovers (i.e. reacts greatly to crossovers)

• When your defender is one arm length away from you

• When your defender place his arms on the side for coverage instead of stealing

• When your defender is prone to losing balance due to an over-weighted upper-body.

• When your defender defends by focusing on your arms swinging movement

• When the position of your defender's feet are leveled (i.e. both feet are equidistant from you)

• When your defender gives you distance but jumps as soon as you try to square up

Checklist about the setting

• When your team decides to play isolation for you because a double crossover takes time to set up

• When no other defenders are nearby you to perform help defense

• When the targeted side of where your double-crossover is finally heading is unpopulated or near a boundary

Pros-n-cons about doing the double-crossover basketball move

Types Used

What are the effective basketball moves combination series related to the crossover?

• jab-step -> pump-fake -> drive -> crossover

• drive -> hesitation -> crossover -> drive -> finger roll

• crossover to the left -> drive -> pull-back further to the left -> bank-shot

• crossover to the left -> pull-back back to the right -> jumpshot

In what situations do I perform the crossover in basketball dribbling?

About your defender

• When your defender bites at every basketball move you do, fake or not

• When your defender's stance is always with his hands up and never attempts to steal.

• When your defender is physically stronger but you are more agile.

• When your defender has weak legs that cannot react to sudden changes in momentum.

About the setting

• When there is an open lane to drive towards the basketball hoop after you perform the crossover

• When you are at the perimeter area which has a minimizes the risk of a pincer attack

• When the paint is not overpopulated

General step-by-step guide to doing a crossover dribble in basketball

1. Dribble the basketball with your dominant hand (let's pretend you're right-handed for this example).
2. Given the space, approach your defender slowly with small steps, take the time to read your opponent's position
3. When you are two steps from your defender, stop, then take a step forward with your left foot
4. Push semi-hard with the left foot, moving your body to the right side, *lower your shoulder to make your move look sincere
5. Look at your defender's body or feet for signs of buying your fake
6. Counteract the momentum to the right by pushing hard with your right foot and sidestep with your left foot when your opponent is off balance
7. At the same time, switch the ball to your left hand with **a quick, low bounce directly in front of your defender.
8. When you have created the space, Push hard with your left foot and **take a big stride with your right foot beside the defender.

• *By experience, lowering your shoulder while driving gets defenders to follow more effectively because you appear to have committed yourself to the drive
• **keep this bounce as close to yourself as possible to avoid stealing attempts
• ***secure your space by placing your leg right beside your defender so that he will have minimal space to reoccupy your lane.