Deception and basketball go hand and hand. The best players deceive players both offensively and defensively, with hands, feet, and eyes. Shot fakes move defenses.
1. The best shot fake is a "shot not taken." Fakes must "sell" the move. The most common 'failed sale' is the move where the player does not look at the rim and alters her shot (usually moving the arms and hands too quickly).
2. Kelly Olynyk has a superb shot fake...eyes on the rim, arm movements not too quick, ball barely above the head, feet set.
3. The shot fake can move your defender or distort zones (north and south reaction to shot fakes, east and west to pass fakes).
4. The higher the ball is moved above the head, the more likely officials are to call traveling. Some say, "ball to the chin." Cause and effect uncertain, but that officiating quirk is described. Whatever your technique, you need to finish the fake balanced to proceed to the next move.
5. The shot fake can lift the defender or closeout and can also be used to draw fouls from off balance defenders.
Chandler Parsons violates the ball above the head rule, but he's the exception.
Stephen Curry uses the shot fake off the dribble into a crossover.