We regularly discuss the importance of playing without the ball. By definition, cutting is an 'off-ball' skill. You all know how to cut, right? But how many times do we see players unable to separate in key moments?
- Cutting is one of Jay Bilas' Toughness skills ("set up your cut.")
- Cutting requires players to play in space and time.
- Cutting is both an individual skill and a team skill, because many important cuts occur using another player.
- Cutting requires both the ability to change direction and pace.
- Often, you can walk into a cut and burst out.
- Cutting demands the ability to read defenses, and read individual defenders.
- If the defender plays high, go higher and cut low. When the defender plays low, take her lower and go high.
- You have to see what the ball handler is doing. If she isn't looking in your direction, cutting at the wrong time accomplishes nothing.
- When your defender turns her head, you can basket cut freely.
- If the defender plays off and up, attack at her to separate from her.
- Front cuts go away from the ball and then to the ball.
- Back cuts go to the ball and then away from the ball.
- When getting a screen, you must WAIT, WAIT, WAIT and time your cut.
- You must read the defender to come off screens intelligently.
- You can also cut with cut fakes (e.g. upfake (receiving) into a cut)
- You can use your backside to ward off defenders (butt cut)
- Spin cuts create great separation by placing your inside foot (to the ball) between the defender's feet, and then reverse pivoting to the ball.
Cutting is an art requiring balance, conditioning, footwork, and mental skills. Cutting well reinforces Phil Jackson's mantra, "basketball is sharing."