Basketball movesFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basketball moves are generally individual actions used by players

in basketball to pass by defenders to gain access to the basket or to

get a clean pass to a teammate to score a two pointer or three pointer.

Contents  [hide] 

1 Dribblingo 1.1 Crossover dribbleo 1.2 In and Out Dribbleo 1.3 Hesitation Dribbleo 1.4 Between the legso 1.5 Behind the backo 1.6 Wraparound

2 After the dribbleo 2.1 Euro stepo 2.2 Pro Hopo 2.3 Pro-hop Euro Stepo 2.4 Power Upo 2.5 Pump fake

3 Passeso 3.1 Bounce passo 3.2 Chest passo 3.3 Overhead passo 3.4 Touch passo 3.5 Baseball passo 3.6 Jump passo 3.7 Blind passo 3.8 Behind-the-backo 3.9 Elbow pass

4 Two person gameo 4.1 Give and goo 4.2 Dribble Pitch - Handoff

o 4.3 Pick and rollo 4.4 Backdooro 4.5 Alley-oop

5 Shotso 5.1 Layupso 5.2 Reverse Layup

5.2.1 Finger roll 5.2.2 Tear drop 5.2.3 Power stop/drive 5.2.4 Double clutch

o 5.3 Bank shoto 5.4 Putback and tip-in

6 Triple threat position and related moveso 6.1 Jab stepo 6.2 Pump fakeo 6.3 Drawing contact

7 Posting Upo 7.1 Up and undero 7.2 Hook shoto 7.3 Drop stepo 7.4 Double pivot

8 Shootingo 8.1 Pull-Up Jumpero 8.2 Turnaround jump shoto 8.3 Fadeaway

9 See also 10 References 11 External links

Dribbling[edit]

Main article: Dribble

Dribbling is bouncing the ball continuously with one hand at a time

without ever holding the ball. Dribbling is required in order for a player

to take steps while possessing the ball.Crossover dribble[edit]

Main article: Crossover dribble

In a crossover dribble, the ball handler changes the ball from one

hand to the other using a single dribble. The crossover is a

fundamental dribbling technique in basketball used to keep the ball in

the hand furthest from the defender (preventing a steal) while

maintaining a desired speed and orientation on the court. It is very

efficient when executing a drive. Make the crossover, get around your

defender, and drive to the basket. A crossover functions best when

the ball handler looks and acts like they are headed in one direction,

before crossing over to the other direction. This can often be achieved

by a simple head fake, or a step in that intended direction.In and Out Dribble[edit]

An in and out dribble is widely used as a counter move to a crossover,

whereby the ball handler fakes the crossover, and pushes the ball

back out on the same hand. Jeron Melroy of the Los Angeles Clippers

has used this move to great effect.Hesitation Dribble[edit]

In a hesitation dribble, the ball handler pauses before making their

next move, often a prelude to another dribbling move. This essentially

freezes the defender and keeps them guessing, with regard to your

next move.Between the legs[edit]

This is a commonly used variation of the crossover in which the ball-

handler bounces the ball off of the floor between his legs and catches

it with the other hand on the opposite side of his body. It is used as a

safer way to cross over while directly facing a defender, but requires

more slowing of forward momentum than the crossover dribble. If you

want to do this move, you have to be balance and as soon as the ball

crosses through your legs, you have to switch the positions of your

legsBehind the back[edit]

This advanced dribbling technique involves dribbling the ball behind

the back either once (as a form of crossover) or continuously.

Dribbling once or a few times in this way can be effective in a given

situation, but doing so for prolonged periods of time brings dangers of

losing the ball or a turnover.Wraparound[edit]

The wraparound is like a behind-the-back except instead of the ball

being thrown in a sideways direction and bouncing behind the

ballhandler's back, it is swung further around the back and thrown in a

forward direction, bouncing on the side or in front of the ballhandler's

body. This move is mostly used when a defender lunges toward one

side of the ballhandler's body for a steal. The ballhandler would then

simply throw the ball around his body and quickly pass his defender.

After the dribble[edit]

Euro step[edit]

Main article: Euro step

The Euro step (sometimes "Eurostep") is a move developed in

European basketball in which a player, after picking up his dribble,

takes a step in one direction, and then quickly takes a second step in

the other direction before attempting a layup. It is an attempt to evade

at least one defender before attacking the basket.

Šarūnas Marčiulionis, a Lithuanian, is generally credited with bringing

the move to the NBA. It was popularized in North America by Manu

Ginóbili, an Argentine who arrived in the NBA from the Italian league,

and has since been used by many US-born players, such as Dwyane

Wade and James Harden.Pro Hop[edit]

The combination of a euro step and a jump-stop, the pro-hop is a

move in which a player picks up their dribble with a synchronized right

hand dribble/right foot step, or... a synchronized left hand dribble with

left foot step. The player then rips the ball to the opposite side of their

body while landing on a jump-stop. The pro hop's ability to split

defenders, or throw an opposing defender off rhythm through 'change

of direction speed' is a move popularized by Shantay Legans, former

point guard for University of California at Berkeley.Pro-hop Euro Step[edit]

It is a pro-hop, without landing on a jump stop. Player picks up their

dribble with a synchronized right hand dribble/right foot step, or a left

hand dribble with left foot step. Player then rips the ball to opposite

side of their body (behind the back if skilled), takes two steps, and

finishes with a reverse layup.Power Up[edit]

The power up is a move in which the player lands on their outside foot

then inside foot, and powers up toward the basket. An effective move

because of its balance and power resulting from a two-foot gather and

take off.Pump fake[edit]

The pump fake is used when the player with the ball pretends to shoot

by bringing the ball up in a shooting motion then bringing it down

quickly to unbalance or misdirect the defender.

Passes[edit]

See also: Assist (basketball)Bounce pass[edit]

The bounce pass is a fundamental and very effective passing

technique. This pass consists of one player passing the ball to a

teammate by bouncing the ball off the floor with great energy.

Because the ball will be at ground level as it passes a defender, a

successful bounce pass can easily result in a scoring assist because a

bounce pass is harder for defenders to intercept. Still, a bounce pass

may be intercepted due to its slower speed. Thus, a player must use

his best judgment when he decides whether to make such a pass. The

move has to be executed perfectly because a bounce pass may be

kicked by rapidly shifting players and might be a difficult catch for the

intended receiver.Chest pass[edit]

This pass is performed best by stepping towards your target with one

foot, then throwing the ball out towards their chest with two hands

while turning the hands over, ending with the thumbs pointing down. It

is best used in the open court and on the perimeter.Overhead pass[edit]

An overhead pass is another fundamental passing technique. It is

used by snapping the ball over the head, like a soccer throw-in. This

pass is especially effective in helping to initiate a fast break. After a

defensive rebound, a well-thrown overhead, or outlet, pass can allow

a breaking offensive player to quickly score without even dribbling by

catching the ball near the basket.Touch pass[edit]

A touch pass is an advanced passing technique in which a prior pass

or a loose ball is immediately redirected to another player by tipping or

slapping the ball. This is the quickest pass in basketball and is

therefore very effective when executed correctly.Baseball pass[edit]

The baseball pass or lance pass is a long pass in which the passer

throws the ball with one hand, as if it were a baseball or a football. It is

infrequently used, mainly to set up last-second plays off a baseline

inbounding situation.Jump pass[edit]

A jump pass is a pass performed while the passing player's feet are

off the floor. When done intentionally, usually when a teammate gets

open during the shot, it can sometimes confuse the defender, causing

him to believe that the passer is shooting instead of passing. At times,

however, it is done as a result of the player having their shooting lane

blocked and often leads to the player turning the ball over to the

opposing team. This kind of pass is risky to execute, and the chances

of perfectly passing the ball to an open teammate are considerably

low, as it leaves the offensive player very vulnerable to turnovers.Blind pass[edit]

Also known as a no-look pass, the blind pass is performed when a

player looks in one direction but passes the ball to his target in

another direction. Blind passes are risky and infrequently attempted,

but when done correctly, can confuse the defense. The no-look pass

has been popularized by players such as Pete Maravich, Isiah

Thomas, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jason Kidd, Rajon

Rondo, Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Ricky Rubio and Steve Nash.Behind-the-back[edit]

Behind-the-back passes are passes dealt to a target behind the

passer's back. Usually done to confuse the defender, behind the back

passes can either be bounced off the floor or passed directly to a

teammate's chest. However, most behind-the-back passes are

direct. Earl Monroe was famous for this move. Steve Nash uses this

move often, and Chris Webber is famed for using this move down in

the paint.Elbow pass[edit]

Introduced with much hype by Jason Williams, the elbow pass is one

of the most difficult trick passes to execute. The elbow pass serves as

a devastating complement to the behind-the-back pass and can be

used with various no-look elements. Most effective on a fast-break,

the elbow pass entails what appears to the defender to be a simple

behind-the-back pass, but as the ball crosses the passer's back, the

passer hits it with his elbow, redirecting the ball back toward the side it

started on and hopefully leaving the defender(s) amazed and out of

position. Williams was able to pull off this pass at a full sprint during a

Rookie All-Star game, but most players have trouble hitting the ball

with their elbow while standing still.

Two person game[edit]

Give and go[edit]

"Give and Go" is an offensive play that involves passing the ball (give)

and then running (go) to an open spot to receive the ball back, usually

near the basket, for an easy score. This play can be effective when

the defender pays too much attention to the ball instead of the player

who moves after passing the ball. This is also known as a "One-Two"

in street ball.Dribble Pitch - Handoff[edit]

The dribble pitch or the handoff, is an offensive play, whereby the ball-

handler passes to a player (often a bigger player) and runs by him to

collect the ball, whilst the big sets a screen.Pick and roll[edit]

Main article: Pick and roll

"Pick and Roll" is an offensive play in which a player stops

to screen (block) a defender for the teammate handling the ball and

then slips behind the defender to accept a pass as the handler makes

a move towards the basket. In the NBA, John Stockton and Karl

Malone of the Utah Jazz are the quintessential pick and roll tandem

and used this play to great effect in the 1990s. Steve

Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire  when playing for the Phoenix

Suns proved to be extremely effective at the pick and roll throughout

the 2000s. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan of The San Antonio

Spurs and Blake Griffin and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles

Clippers are currently among the best pick and roll tandems.

From the initial position of the pick and roll maneuver, the player who

receives the ball has many different options as to whether he/she

passes it, or fakes and then goes for a jump shot. These variations

typically include the pick and pop, where by the roll man instead of

heading to the basket trails behind and is wide open for a jumper,

hence the 'pop', as well as slipping the screen, whereby the defender

of the screener attempts to cheat and get ahead of the screener, at

which point the screener does not set a screen, but merely slips by,

leaving him open as his defender trails behind.Backdoor[edit]

A backdoor play is when a player without the ball gets behind the

defense and receives a pass for an easy score. This can be executed

if the defenders are unaware of the open space behind them. Also,

when a defender strongly commits on defense (e.g. tries to steal or

deny a pass), they are vulnerable to a backdoor play. This play is

most notably used by good shooters like Ray Allen of the Miami

Heat or Rip HamiltonAlley-oop[edit]

Main article: Alley oop (basketball)

Aaron Harrison assists on an Aaron Gordon alley oop at the 2013 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

An alley-oop is an offensive play which involves one teammate lofting

the ball up near the rim in anticipation of another teammate jumping

up to catch and dunk it. Because this move requires both teammates

to know what the other is thinking, the alley-oop is a rare but exciting

play. The Los Angeles Clippers, led by point guard Chris Paul, and big

men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, are known for their

spectacular alley-oops; they have earned the name "Lob City" as a

result.

Shots[edit]

Layups[edit]

Main article: Layup

A layup is a two-point attempt made by leaping from the ground,

releasing the ball with one hand up near the basket, and using one

hand to tip the ball over the rim and into the basket (lay-in) or banking

it off the backboard and into the basket (lay-up). The motion and one-

handed reach distinguish it from a jump shot. The layup is considered

the most basic shot in basketball.

An undefended layup is usually a high-percentage shot. The main

obstacle is getting near the rim and avoiding blocks by taller defenders

who usually stand near the basket. Common layup strategies are to

create space, releasing the ball from different spots or using an

alternate hand. A player tall enough (or with sufficient leaping ability)

to reach over the rim might choose to perform a more spectacular and

higher percentage slam dunk (dropping or throwing the ball through

the basket from above the rim) instead.

As the game has evolved through the years, so has the layup. Several

different versions of the layup are used today. Layups can be broadly

categorized into two types: the underarm and the overarm. The

underarm layup involves using most of the wrist and the fingers to 'lay'

the ball into the basket or off the board. The underarm layup is more

commonly known as the finger roll. Notable current NBA players who

rely heavily on the underarm finger roll are Mike Bibby and Dwyane

Wade.

Finger-rolls today have many forms, including the Around the World

which involves a complete circle around the player before the layup

and a variety of faking in the approach to the rim. A classic example is

a play by former Kings point guard Jason Williams during his time with

Sacramento, in which Williams brings the ball behind his back with his

right hand, in a fake of a back pass, and then brings it front again with

the same hand for the finish (reminiscent of Bob Cousy who pioneered

the move).

The other layup is the overhand shot, similar to a jump shot but from

considerably closer range. Overhand layups almost always involved

the use of the backboard. Players like Scottie Pippen (formerly of

Chicago) and Karl Malone (formerly Utah) have used this move to

great effect.

In addition, another variation of the lay-up is the wrong-foot layup.

Typically, this move can be seen by inexperienced players with poor

footwork, however, when done intentionally, a wrong-footed layup can

deceive a defender into mistiming his block attempt. In a normal layup,

the left foot is used to step off when laying in with the right hand, and

vice versa. However in a wrong-footed layup, the right foot is used to

step off when laying in with the right hand. This also helps to shield

the defender from reaching across to block the shot; in reaching

across however, the defender will likely get called for a defensive

foul. Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs relies heavily on the wrong

footed layup, largely due to his smaller size and deceptive quickness.

Reverse Layup[edit]

Isaiah Hicks does a reverse layup at the 2013 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

A reverse layup is a layup that is finished on the opposite side of the

court's split-line, than the player began the attack on.

Finger roll[edit]

Main article: Finger roll

A finger roll is performed when a player shoots the ball with one hand

during a layup and then lifts his fingers, rolling the ball into the basket.

The rotation produced provides the ball with a soft touch, and the ball

will roll around the rim and then drop into the basket. Former San

Antonio Spurs guard George "The Iceman" Gervinwas known for

having one of the best finger rolls in the game along

with Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain.Michael Jordan and Scottie

Pippen are other notable practitioners, while former NBA star Jason

Kidd is renowned for his smooth finger rolls as well.

Tear drop[edit]

The tear drop, also called a runner or a floater, is usually performed by

undersized players (mainly point guards). A player usually starts the

layup procedure a good distance away from the basket. The ball is

generally released earlier and in a higher arc than the normal layup.

The ball should be away before the taller defender has the chance to

block it. The purpose of this shooting move is to make the defender

miss blocking the ball as the ball is released from the hand one

moment sooner than expected. It is so-named because the ball drops

down from the high point of the arc like a falling tear drop. Gary

Payton of the Seattle SuperSonics and John Stockton of the Utah

Jazz during their primes, the former in the mid-to-late 90s and the

latter in the early-to-mid 90s were considered to have the best tear

drops in the game. Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs andStephen

Curry of the Golden State Warriors frequently use the tear drop with

great success.[1] Antawn Jamison  of the Los Angeles Lakers has one

of the most highly effective tear drop shots in the league despite being

a power forward. Ben Gordon of the Charlotte Bobcats, Juan Carlos

Navarro of FC Barcelona, Steve Nash of the Los Angeles

Lakers,Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, Rajon Rondo  of

the Dallas Mavericks, J.J. Barea from the Dallas Mavericks,

and Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls are currently known for the

tear drop move.

Power stop/drive[edit]

Power drive is a continuous shooting move in which a player stops

dribbling and makes a huge leap forward, while securing the ball in

both hands from the dribbling hand, then making a layup. The move is

generally used as a layup because the huge movement coming from

the leap provides the momentum for the player to jump forward for a

layup. The move is a great way to squeeze the player under the

basket for a fast layup.

Double clutch[edit]

A double clutch is a move associated with a layup or a dunk; it is a

change of ball position in mid-air (similar to the "up and under" move,

but performed while the player is in the air). It is effectively used by

many players, especially those who are more athletic.Bank shot[edit]

A bank shot in basketball is a shot that relies on the ball bouncing off

the backboard and into the basket. It is frequently used for mid-

range jump shots from around a 45° angle and layups. It is not

commonly used for long-range shots or shots from the middle or near

the baseline. The purpose of using the backboard is to try to hit the

backboard at an angle, thus slowing the speed of the ball and

increasing its chances of falling into the hoop. Researchers at North

Carolina State University found that bank shots may be 20 percent

more effective up to a distance of about 12 feet than direct shots.[2] Another term for a bank shot is "off the glass." NBA players known

for using the bank shot often areSam Jones, George Gervin, Tim

Duncan, Dwyane Wade , Dirk Nowitzki, Scottie Pippen, and Kobe

Bryant.Putback and tip-in[edit]

A putback describes a situation where a player secures an offensive

rebound, then immediately scores a basket. If the player secures the

rebound while in the air, for the shot to be considered a putback, the

player can land on the ground before shooting, but cannot dribble

before taking the shot. If the player does not secure the rebound but

instead taps the ball into the basket, it is considered a tip-in. There is a

point where the difference between a putback and a tip-in is subjective

(e.g., a one-handed rebound in the air followed by a shot before

touching the ground). A putback jam is a spectacular alternative to the

tip-in, where the ball is slam-dunked off the rebound in the same

motion. Josh Smith andKenyon Martin are the perfectors of the

putback jam. It is also a primary source of scoring for All-Star

center Dwight Howard, who led the NBA in dunks in the 2008–2009,

2009–2010 and 2010–2011 seasons.

Triple threat position and related moves[edit]

Triple threat is the position when a player facing a defender receives

a pass but has not dribbled yet. The offensive player's feet are slightly

wider than shoulder width and slightly on the balls of his feet, his

knees flexed, with both hands on the basketball in front of him or

almost resting on his thigh, presenting the defender with an opponent

able to move in any direction. One foot is held as the pivot and the

other slightly ahead. From this, the player can choose from three

options: to jump-shoot, to dribble (drive) past the defender or to pass it

to a teammate. There are also options to get the defender out of his

defensive stance by using jab steps and pump fakes.Jab step[edit]

A jab step, also known as side step, is performed when a player

holds onto the ball before dribbling while his non-pivot leg performs a

jabbing forward or side motion. This move is used to test defender's

defensive weaknesses and stance. A combination of the pump fake,

the drive, the shot and the crossover drive can be performed along

with the jab step to lure the opponent out of his defense. New York

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is well known for taking the jab step,

as was 13-year pro Kiki Vandeweghe. When he does this, the

defender falls off from his defensive stance, creating a space between

him and the defender, allowing him to take a quick mid-range jumper,

a three-pointer, or a drive "to the lane."Pump fake[edit]

A pump fake (also called a shot fake) is a feigned attempt at a jump

shot, restrained before the feet leave the ground. The pump fake is a

fundamental move in basketball, used to cause defenders to jump

(known in basketball slang as "lifting" the defender) or be shifted off-

balance. Its main applications are in the low post area, where a player

is much more likely to have his or her shot blocked. On the perimeter,

it is useful in creating open lanes to the basket by "showing" the ball

enough to entice a defender to attempt to block or steal it, allowing the

dribbler to penetrate easily. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are

known to be masters of the pump fake.Drawing contact[edit]

An offensive move intended to produce a foul call on the defensive

player. A typical strategy is to drive into a defensive player whose feet

are not stationary. When the two players make bodily contact, a

blocking foul can be called on the defensive player. If the defensive

player has a set position (i.e., both feet are stationary and arms are

not in a downward motion), the contact can result in a charging foul

against the offensive player (this is known as taking the charge for the

fouled defensive player). Another way of drawing contact is to pump

fake and then jump towards the defender, make contact and then

shoot; this gets you to the foul line. If you make the basket (often

made in the paint), you get the basket and one foul shot.

Posting Up[edit]

To "post up" is to establish a position in the low post, the area near the

basket below the foul line, usually in order to take advantage of a

smaller defender. The offensive player usually faces away from the

basket, so that his body can protect the ball from the defender. From

this position, options such as spinning or backing down the defender

to close in to the basket for better scoring opportunities become

available.Up and under[edit]

The up and under is a move consisting of two parts: a shot fake (the

up) and a step-through (the under). First the player with the ball fakes

a shot by thrusting the ball above his head as if to take a shot, then

when the defender jumps in an attempt to block the shot, the offensive

player steps by him and attempts a clear, unguarded shot.

Generally used by post players, Kevin McHale was considered a

master of this move.[3]

Mason Rocca making a hook shot for Eldo Napoli , 2006

Hook shot[edit]

Main article: Hook shot

The hook shot is one of the most effective inside moves, but it is also

quite difficult to execute. A hook shot begins when the player puts his

body between the ball and the opponent. He then releases the ball

towards the basket with his outside hand in a "hook" motion. The hook

shot and variations such as the jump-hook and skyhook are effective

because they are very difficult for the defender to block, although it is

harder to hit the shot with precision. The advantage the hook shot

offers is the space it creates between the offensive player and his

defender. This extra space can reduce or eliminate the advantages

enjoyed by a taller defender. The hook shot is most often used by post

players because it is difficult to make the shot from a

distance. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the NBA's all-time leading

scorer by using his almost indefensible skyhook.Drop step[edit]

Also called a "reverse pivot," the drop step is a move in which the

player posting up takes a back step on the side of a defender behind

him and spins to that side to gain leverage.Double pivot[edit]

The double pivot involves faking twice on one direction with the ball.

Shooting[edit]

Pull-Up Jumper[edit]

A pull-up jumper is an offensive move, where the ball handler in the

act of dribbling, 'pulls up' to shoot the basketball. This is especially

effective as the defender is not able to react in time to affect or block

the shot. This move is widely used by players in the NBA, such as

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and LeBron James of the

Cleveland Cavaliers.Turnaround jump shot[edit]

When a player posts up, in order to shoot he has to turn around to

face the basket. This can be done by turning in the air, timing the jump

shot when the defender is not likely to jump and challenge the shot.

Though a fade-away version of this move was perfected by Larry

Bird and Dirk Nowitzki, players such as Michael Jordan, Kobe

Bryant, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kevin Garnett are also well known for

it.Fadeaway[edit]

Main article: Fadeaway

A fadeaway shot is a variation on a set jump shot in which the shooter

attempts his shot leaning backward, creating the effect of "fading

away" from his defender. This makes it more difficult for the defender

to contest the shot. The fadeaway usually has less range than a

regular jump shot, because the ball has backwards momentum due to

its inertia, making it somewhat tougher to project the ball over long

distances. Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane

Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Karl Malone, and Steve Nash are famous for

their use of the fadeaway. Wilt Chamberlain was criticized for his

frequent use of the fadeaway jumper, since the follow-through usually

carries the shooter away from the basket and out of rebounding

position.