How to Play Basketball Blog – Be a Threat
Today we will keep the conversation going in regards to offensive fundamentals. In any dynamic sport you need to be in an athletic position in order to make the most explosive and effective movement. When it comes to being a good offensive player it is all about doing your work early so you can be a threat. The most common way you can show you are ready when you have the ball is to get into triple threat position.
Triple threat position means you are in position to pass, shoot or drive. Anytime you have the ball you need to be ready to do any of the 3 and make that decision quickly. Typically you should know what to do before you catch the ball based on where you are on the court and where everybody else is too. When you catch the ball you want to get low by bending your knees. You also want to have both hands on the basketball so a defender cannot swipe the ball out of your hands. If you can get 1 hand on the ball you can get 2 hands on it. Believe that! You also want to ensure that your head is up and your eyes are surveying the court so you can determine the best action to take.
Now once you catch the ball do not HOLD it! Ball stoppers, or people that catch and hold the ball, drive coaches absolutely insane! When you catch the ball you need to make a decision quickly. When I said you need to do your work early I meant that you should know what to do as you are catching the ball. Your decision should be based on where you are on the court and where your defenders are as well.
When it comes to passing you should have an idea of who is open if you were surveying the court. If a teammate is open give them the ball on time and on target. If you were open would you want your teammate to hold the ball? When it comes to shooting it, if you are open and in your range then you should take the shot. Do you want to score? You cannot score without shooting. Now when it comes to driving you need to evaluate 2 things: where you want to go and where the defense is. If you know this defender is playing your strong hand, can you find a way to move them to your weak side or can you drive past them with your weak hand? When you drive you want to get to an open space in the defense so you can either score or draw the defense to open up a teammate.
Be a threat to pass, shoot or drive when you are on offense. If you are helping your team score on offense then you will always find a way on the court.
You can see the other 3 areas of offense you can improve by ordering a copy of the book here How to Play Basketball: A Guide to Getting Better By Playing Pick-up Games
You are your only opponent
Coach Wilkins
Coach/Owner of Hoops Education
Former D1 Player/Former AAU Coach/Former HS Coach
Author of How to Play Basketball: A Guide to Getting Better By Playing Pick-up Games
P.S. Make sure you follow us on twitter @HoopsEducation
P.P.S. Make sure you like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/HoopsEducation
Leave a Reply