You get the ball in your hands, you're close to the hoop, and there's just one defender in front of you ... Are you ready to put down a strong move and score?
What is your answer?
Even though team-work is essential in basketball, awesome one-on-one moves are what separate you as the great basketball player, the go-to-guy, the scoring machine.
There are 3 key points to know before attempting any move:
You don't have much time or space in a basketball game. You HAVE to make a strong move and either score or pass with 2 to 3 dribbles. You need to get in scoring position or in a passing position without wasting time, space, or energy.
Quickness and footwork are very important. You don't have to be fast, but you need to move quickly. This doesn't require strong muscles; it requires quick reaction time in the brain.
You have to be in proper basketball positioning. This means that you turn and face the basket - feet shoulder width apart – feet pointed towards the basket - knees flexed - both shoulders pointed towards the basket. If you're right-handed, keep the ball on your right hand side; if you're left-handed, keep it on the left-hand side. (Re-read this tip, proper positioning is very important)
Ok, the move I wanna help you perfect today is "The Drive". Good, strong driving ability can help you break-down defenses, score more points, and get more assists...
The Drive
Basically, when you drive, you get past your defender and move towards the basket with speed & quickness. Being good at driving has many advantages. You can get easy lay-ups or find your teammates in a good position to score. Half the time, you'll even get fouled.
To help you understand the drive, let’s take a look at what Sidney Moncrief, a true basketball legend, says about it:
"When I receive the ball I can set my man up for a drive by using ball, shoulder, or head fakes. Depending on the position of my defender, I can also fake a jump shot, get my man in the air, and go around him."
"When my man does go for one of my fakes, I push off my pivot foot, take a long quick first step toward the hoop, as I put the ball down hard on the floor just past the hip of the defender. When the ball is put down, I lift my pivot foot, push past the defender's shoulder and go for the hoop."
Beautifully said Sidney.
Now, you shouldn't OVERUSE the drive. When you start driving too much, you become predictable. Your defensive man can read you and he starts backing off, and the rest of the defense can read you and start trapping...
You have to be DECEPTIVE, or in other words, the defense should never know what you're gonna do next. That’s why you need to have a decent outside shot. When you drive past your defender a couple of times, he'll start backing off. When he backs off, you take an outside shot. After hitting a few shots, the defense will play you tight again, and you can go back to the drive.
The key is to keep switching between the drive and lay-up, drive and pass, and taking the outside shot... and the defense will always stay confused.
Many players get the ball stripped and stolen from them when they drive. This is because they don't protect the ball with their body...
Here's how to protect the ball:
1. Turn your trunk, or your abs, away from the defender.
2. Move the ball from the front of your body to the side of your body, and repeat this cycle as long as you have the ball on the floor.
3. When you pick up your dribble, and you're ready to take your two steps, flare your elbows out and hold the ball strongly with your palms.
Okay, so to recap, here's the main points that you need to remember about driving:
1. Square up with the basket (Your feet and shoulders should point towards the basket)
2. Keep low with your knees flexed (This helps you stay quick)
3. With the ball in your hands, push hard off your back foot and take a long, quick 1st step towards the basket.
4. Take your dribble before you leave your back foot and make it a hard dribble that you can control.
5. Protect the ball by using your body and your elbows (without swinging the elbows)
Keep working on this over and over and over again. This helps you develop a quick first-step and good footwork, both of which are very important in basketball.
Practice these mechanics and techniques in your off time, with or without a defender. Practice it often!
Now, when you start becoming good at driving, then the next thing you need to focus on is scoring and passing...
Always concentrate and keep your eyes on the defense. Often times, as you drive, another defender will pop in front to stop you, and there's someone on your team that’s open. Here's where you can start picking up assists.
Good court-vision starts with keeping your head up and eyes open. You always have to concentrate on either scoring or passing, and nothing else...
Most of the time, however, you should commit to the shot. So, you need to work on scoring first and passing second. The only time you wanna pass is when another defender steps right in front of you and you're double-teamed. Otherwise, it’s better to commit to the shot and CONCENTRATE on scoring.
Now, there are many ways for you to score, but my favorite is the mid-range and short-range Pull-Up shot. The Pull-up shot is deadly.
There are also many more killer offensive moves, such as the Jab-Step, Rocker-Step, Wide Cross, Slick Behind-the-Back, Low-Post moves, it’s your choice in the end.
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