Basketball isn’t soccer. Hands matter, Captain Obvious. Share examples.
Hand signal in many ways. Flash an open hand to call for a pass or a fist to signal a back cut. Hold the ball over your head to call for a ball screen, a fist up to signal a screen coming, and a head tap or chest tap to signal whatever.
Recognize the passer by pointing after an assist.
Avoiding fouls is a skill. "Show your hands" lets the official know that you "don’t reach in” or habitually grab.
Earn an occasional rebound by "chopping up" to displace an opponent's arm, especially on free throws.
Use the off hand to "swipe off" overeager defenders.
Ball fake like Rondo. "Now you see it..."
Learn a couple for your toolbox.
"Hand down, man down." Be aware of a defender's hands.
Kobe finds the blue sky.
James Harden uses the defender's arms like a conductor uses a baton. He's like Santa because he knows when your hands are in the cookie jar.
"Know when to hold ‘em." I don't teach players this but to prevent it. The crafty defender in traffic may grab the offensive player's shirt front and pull him down to simulate a charge. Don't allow it.
Summary:
- Hand signal (what's in your inventory?)
- "Recognize the passer."
- "Show your hands."
- Chop up.
- Swipe off.
- Ball fake.
- "Hand down, man down." (use the defender's hands)
- "Know when to hold 'em."
Lagniappe. Pete Newell called it "seeing the game." Lemov restates.
