Kristian Ferrell
Being crafty in basketball involves a combination of skills, techniques, and strategic thinking. It's about keeping your opponents guessing and being unpredictable in your playstyle. Craftiness in basketball can be developed by improving dribbling skills, such as dribbling with both hands and incorporating hesitations. Players should also learn a variety of shots and be selective about when to take them. Developing a repertoire of non-dribble moves, such as jab steps and pump fakes, can add to a player's craftiness. Changing speeds and using different gears can also keep defenders off-balance. Being able to adapt and make plays when the normal play breaks down is another aspect of being crafty. Ultimately, craftiness in basketball revolves around proficiency in various skills, adaptability, and the ability to keep defenders guessing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dribbling | Learn to dribble with both hands, and shift your weight to the opposite foot when dribbling. |
| Shots | Learn more shots and be selective about when you shoot. The more shots you can make, the harder you are to guard. |
| Hesitation | Practice hesitations. |
| Non-dribble moves | Be crafty with jab steps, pump fakes, and other non-dribble moves. |
| Speed | Change speeds and develop different gears to keep defenders guessing. |
| Stance | Get into a threatening stance, such as the triple threat position, to enable you to react quickly and do something different from what is planned. |
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What You'll Learn
Learn to dribble with both hands
Learning to dribble with both hands is a crucial skill in basketball, as it gives you an advantage over your opponent and makes it harder for defenders to predict your moves. Here are some tips to help you improve your dribbling with both hands:
Start with the Basics
When learning to dribble with your non-dominant hand, it's important to start with the fundamentals. Focus on using your fingertips and fingers to control the ball, rather than your palm. Keep the ball close to your body and try to prevent it from bouncing above your waist. Practice this until it becomes second nature.
Keep Your Head Up
A common mistake many players make is looking down at the ball while dribbling. As you practice, train yourself to keep your head up, scanning the court to see what the defence is doing and where your teammates are positioned. This will help you make better decisions and manoeuvre more effectively.
Practice with Both Hands Simultaneously
Once you've developed some comfort with the ball in your non-dominant hand, try dribbling with both hands at the same time. Keep your elbows behind the ball and force it towards the ground while maintaining your head in an upright position. This will improve your coordination and ball-handling skills.
Develop Your Weak Hand Outside of Practice
Improving your weak hand goes beyond just practice on the court. Try incorporating your non-dominant hand into daily activities such as eating, opening doors, or brushing your teeth. This will help you develop muscle memory and feel more comfortable using that hand in any situation, including on the basketball court.
Master the Triple Threat Position
The triple threat position is a fundamental stance in basketball that allows you to threaten multiple options (shoot, pass, or dribble) as soon as you receive the ball. To achieve this position, spread your feet about shoulder-width apart with a slight bend in your knees. This stance gives you stability and makes it harder for defenders to force you backward.
Change Speeds and Use Hesitations
Like a baseball pitcher, vary your speed and use hesitations to keep defenders guessing. Mix up your movements by walking, jogging, skipping, or sprinting with the ball. These changes in speed and rhythm will make it more challenging for defenders to predict your next move.
Remember, developing your dribbling skills with both hands takes time and dedication. Practice consistently, and you'll soon see improvements in your ball-handling abilities and overall game.
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Master non-dribble moves
Being crafty in basketball doesn't mean you have to perform fancy dribble moves. In fact, the best players are often crafty with jab steps, pump fakes, and other non-dribble moves. Here are some tips to master non-dribble moves and become a more unpredictable and crafty player:
First, learn to secure the ball at your chest, especially after a rebound or when holding the ball in traffic. This will help you protect the ball from defenders. Keep your head up to see the defence, your teammates, and the basket. This awareness will help you make better decisions and execute effective non-dribble moves.
Next, don't be lazy with your dribble. Many players want to dribble as soon as they touch the ball, but this can limit your options and make you predictable. Instead, survey the floor, assess your options, and only dribble if it serves a purpose. There are many effective moves that can be made without dribbling, both on the wing and in the post. For example, you can use jab steps and pump fakes to create space and keep defenders guessing.
Additionally, learn to use the triple threat position effectively. Get into a position that makes you a threat to do multiple things as soon as you get the ball. This will keep defenders on their toes and give you more options to score or create opportunities for your teammates.
Changing speeds is also an important non-dribble move. Vary your pace like a baseball pitcher changes pitches to keep the defenders guessing. Develop different gears and practice shifting between them smoothly. This will make you less predictable and harder to defend.
Finally, work on your footwork. Crafty players use hesitations and weight shifts to keep defenders off-balance. For example, when you dribble to your right hand, shift your weight to your right foot. This will help with your hesitations and make your moves more deceptive.
By focusing on these non-dribble moves, you'll become a more unpredictable and crafty player, improving your overall game.
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Change speeds to keep defenders guessing
Changing speeds is an effective way to keep defenders guessing and improve your craftiness as a basketball player. This tactic can be employed by players in any position, but it is particularly useful for guards and point guards. Developing different gears, similar to a baseball pitcher, can keep the defender off-balance and unsure of your next move.
To achieve this, you should practice shifting between different speeds and levels of intensity. For example, you could be walking with the ball, then shift to a slow jog, a controlled yet hard drive, or a full-out open-court sprint. Being able to transition between these gears seamlessly will make you less predictable and harder to defend.
Additionally, you can combine this tactic with other techniques such as dribbling with both hands and using jab steps, pump fakes, and other non-dribble moves. This will further enhance your unpredictability and craftiness on the court.
It is also important to be mindful of your dribble. Avoid wasting your dribble or picking it up without a purpose, as this can cause you to get stuck or turn the ball over. Instead, use your dribble intentionally and efficiently to create opportunities and keep the defense guessing.
By varying your speed and combining it with other skills, you'll become a more versatile and crafty player, making it harder for defenders to anticipate your moves.
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Hold the ball firmly at your chest
Holding the ball firmly at your chest is an important skill to learn in basketball, especially when grabbing a rebound or when holding the ball in traffic. This technique is useful for players of all positions, from guards to forwards and centers. By securing the ball at your chest, you can protect it from defenders and create more opportunities for your team.
To effectively hold the ball at your chest, use both hands to grip it firmly, positioning it under your chin. This two-handed grip ensures the ball is secure and reduces the risk of it being knocked away by an opponent. Maintaining a firm grip is essential, especially when navigating through defenders or when boxed in by the opposition.
Additionally, always remember to keep your head up while holding the ball in this position. This allows you to maintain court awareness by keeping your eyes on the defense, your teammates, and the basket. Being able to survey the court will help you make better decisions and execute more precise passes or shots.
Mastering this skill of holding the ball firmly at your chest will not only improve your ball-handling abilities but also enhance your overall court sense. It will give you more control over the game's flow and open up opportunities for your team to create scoring chances or set up strategic plays.
Practicing this technique is crucial, and with repetition, it will become second nature, improving your performance and contributing to a more crafty playing style.
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Learn more shots
Learning more shots is a great way to improve your craftiness as a basketball player. The more shots you can make, the harder it is for defenders to guard you. It's important to be proficient at shooting in multiple ways, keeping the defense guessing.
One way to improve your shooting is to practice different types of shots, such as 3's, mid-range shots, pivots, baby hooks, hook shots, reverse pivots, floaters, bank shots, pull-up jumpers, step-back jumpers, pump fakes, step-throughs, and shots off the screen. The more variety you have in your shooting arsenal, the more unpredictable you become as a player.
It's also beneficial to work on your dribbling skills with both hands. Being able to dribble with both your left and right hands will make you a more versatile player and improve your ball handling. This will help you get past defenders more easily and create more scoring opportunities.
Additionally, developing different gears and learning to change speeds can be extremely crafty. Varying your pace, like Chris Paul, keeps defenders on their toes. Practice shifting from a walk to a sprint and vice versa, and work on developing a range of speeds in between. This will make you less predictable and give you an edge over your opponents.
Lastly, don't be afraid to be selective with your shots. It's not about taking every shot opportunity, but rather choosing the right ones. This was the key to Westman's shooting success, a Colby point guard. He shared that he doesn't shoot often, but when he does, he knows it's a good shot. This mindset improves his shooting percentage and benefits his team.
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