To be an offensive threat, you need to be able to elude your guard whether you have the ball or not. A feint is an act designed to throw your guard off balance, so you can get past him or break free for a shot. Do it by pretending with your head, eyes, feet, shoulders, and body. The fake drive-and-shot is designed to unbalance the defensive player and force him back to make room for the shot. Fake a bounce around the guard, using your front foot to force him back. The offensive player then comes into position for the shot. Any feint will result in some backing action from the guard. The fake shot and drive is a maneuver in which the player with the ball fakes a shot for the basket to lure the guard towards him so he can dribble around him. When faking, keep the ball protected and in position to dribble. The first step should be long with the right foot if going to the right, placing the ball well forward while driving down guard. A double feint is executed by feigning a step forward with a deep step to the right, causing the guard to step back a bit. The offensive man then moves his front foot back a bit and sets up for a set shot. As the guard rises on his toes to stop the shot, the offensive man lowers his body and pushes off his front foot, putting the ball well forward and driving towards the goal. To go to the right side, fake a deep step to the left with your right foot. The shot is rigged, then comes the shot from the right. A left-handed player will use their left foot as the front foot and follow the same technique as above.

When initiating a fake, a player never knows if it will be a single or double fake. This will depend on the guard’s action. Sometimes a guard is compromised on the first forgery. If you don’t get fooled by the first fake, try the double fake. A common fault of many players who execute feints is that they do not allow enough time for the defensive player to “fall for” the deception. Shooting or driving too early simply means the trick is wasted. Tips for haggling:

1. Do not dribble a rebound when you first receive the ball. This robs you of the opportunity to move with it.

2. Keep your head up and your eyes straight ahead so you can get a good view of what the other players are doing.

3. Do not try to dribble in congested areas.

4. Don’t hit the ball, push it towards the ground with your fingertips.

5. When advancing to your frontcourt with the high dribble, make sure there are no opponents nearby who could steal the ball.

6. Learn to keep your body between your shoulder and the ball.

7. Use a high dribble for speed and a low dribble for control and deception.

8. Fake with your eyes, head and body when dribbling. This will add defensive pressure on your man.

9. Throw only when necessary. Excessive haggling is a waste of time. Passing will advance the ball faster than dribbling.

Moving without the ball Players often don’t know how to act offensively when they don’t have the ball. In my experience as a coach, I have found this to be especially true of young players. Too often they do nothing. They stand watching the man with the ball, waving their arms to receive a pass even though he is well guarded. The easiest man to guard is the player who stops and moves slowly and aimlessly. Basketball is a team game and all five players must work as a unit to get the best results.

A player without the ball can do the following:

1. Move at all times to prevent the defense from double-teaming a teammate.

2. Keep half court open to allow plays down the half.

3. Set up a screen for teammates.

4. Be alert to interrupt a potential play.

Situations change with each ball pass. Watch for weaknesses in the defense so you can take advantage of them. It is important to know what you intend to do. Running indiscriminately will only get you out. Never run in a straight line or in circles. An opponent can easily protect you. Deception and change of pace will help you bypass your guard. Learn to cut. Some of the cutting motions will be described and illustrated here. The “L” cut is a straight cut down the sideline with a 90 degree change in direction. The “L” cut is used to square the corners on the fast break.

1. Cut in “L” to the right.

2. Cut in “L” to the left.

The “button hook” is primarily used to cut the basket, but can also be used when encountering a press. The player drives to the basket, stops, and then steps out to receive the pass.

1. Button hook on the right.

2. Left button hook.

The “S” cut starts by cutting in one direction and then returning to the original position. “S” cut. This cut can be used anywhere. Slashing a postman is another way to free yourself up for a shot. 1 passes the ball to 2 and immediately cuts it off. 2 times his cut to push l’s back and uses 3 as a block. Leading from the corner to the outside half of the free throw circle is an offensive setup play. If a pass is received, the corner man can jump shoot or pivot off his right foot and push for a layup or establish post position. 1 comes out of the corner, goes right and left.

The “V” cut is used to change direction and cut for the basket. It is widely used to cut from corners.

1. “V” cut.

2. “V” cut to the left