Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Basketball: A Game of Separation

Basketball is a game of _________ . Fill in the blank.

  • separation 
  • cutting and passing
  • playing harder and longer than opponents
I. Separate with the ball

   A. Individual dribbling
       i. change of direction
       ii.change of pace (including pure speed)
       iii.combinations
       iv.specialty - e.g. float dribble, negative step, stampede
       v. 'stationary' - e.g. jab, rip, stepback 

   B. Using screens
       i. rejecting screens
       ii.pick-and-roll
       iii.drag screens

II.Separate without the ball. 
   
   A. Individual cutting
       i. face cut
       ii.back cut 
       iii.'head turners'
   B. Team cutting 
       i. simple screens
       ii.complex screens 
          a.stagger - including Iverson
          b.double - including elevator/sandwich
          c.serial - e.g. 'corner rip'
          d.screen-the-screener
          e.screen-the-roller (i.e. Spain) 



Everyone doesn't need everything in their arsenal. More isn't necessarily better. A player should know her strengths and which techniques they specifically embraced. 

Some examples: hesitation/hesi-cross



Drag screens
 

"Head turners" - take advantage.
 


"Corner rip"
 

Lagniappe. Hat tip: Troy Slavin