Kristian Ferrell
Cutting to the basket is a fundamental skill in basketball, allowing players to create space, get open, and score baskets. There are several types of cuts that can be used to effectively move without the ball, including the Iverson cut, Laker cut, V-cut, L-cut, shallow cut, and many others. These cuts involve quick, explosive movements that change speed and direction to lose the defender and get into an open position to receive the ball. The most crucial aspects of a successful cut are athleticism, timing, and the ability to read and set up the defender.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Iverson cut | Offensive player cuts from one side of the court to the other, usually using one or two screens. |
| Banana cut | Player performs a curved cut from one area of the court to another. |
| Laker cut | Offensive player with the ball passes to a teammate and then cuts towards the basket. |
| Shallow cut | Used when exchanging positions with the dribbler, involves cutting underneath and then popping out to the previous position. |
| V-cut | Used to get open against man-to-man defenses, involves taking a few steps towards the middle of the court and then cutting hard back to the ball in a V shape. |
| L-cut | Used to get open on the perimeter, starting on the low block. |
| Dive cut | Any cut towards the basket, often resulting in a layup. |
| Face-cut | Cutting in front of the defender to get on the ball-side, usually resulting in a layup. |
| Deep cut | Cutting underneath the basket from one side of the court to the other, ending in the corner or mid-range. |
| Front cut | Getting on the ball-side of the opponent by jabbing or cutting behind them, then cutting in front. |
| Curl cut | Cutting around a screen, reading the defender, and either curling for a layup or flaring out if the defender cheats. |
| Flare cut | Cutting away from the ball, used when the defender cheats on a curl. |
| UCLA cut | Player at the top of the key passes to a perimeter player and cuts to the block off a high post-screen. |
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What You'll Learn
- V-Cuts: Used to get open for a pass, this is the most common type of cut
- L-Cuts: Generating open space away from the start point, L-cuts are great for getting open on the perimeter
- Iverson Cut: Named after NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, this cut involves moving from one side of the court to the other
- Laker Cut: Involves a pass to a player near the low post, who then cuts towards the basket
- Shallow Cuts: Used when exchanging positions, this cut involves going underneath and popping out to where the player was
V-Cuts: Used to get open for a pass, this is the most common type of cut
V-Cuts are commonly used by wing players to get open against man-to-man defences. It is most effective when started outside the three-point line. To perform a V-Cut, face the middle of the court and the ball. Take a few medium-speed steps towards the middle of the court, then cut hard in a V-shape back to the ball. This movement should be quick and short, creating space in the offence and holes in the defence.
There are two types of V-Cuts: the quick or short V-Cut, and the Jam-Down V-Cut. In the Jam-Down V-Cut, walk your defender down to the block, then plant your inside foot and quickly make the V-Cut back to the ball. Both V-Cuts are best used on the weak side of the offence for an isolation situation.
The V-Cut is a simple concept, but it must be executed properly. It requires planning, appropriate timing, and quickness. It's important to read and set up the defender and know where the ball is. Changing speed and direction as fast as possible, and utilising athleticism to explode into the new position, is crucial.
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L-Cuts: Generating open space away from the start point, L-cuts are great for getting open on the perimeter
L-cuts are an effective way to create space and get open on the perimeter, particularly when starting on the low block. They are a simple yet underrated way to get free and generate open space away from the start point.
To perform an L-cut, a player should start near the baseline or the bottom of the key, with a defender on them, looking at the ball. Taking a few steps towards the defender, the player should then veer off at the last second in the direction they want to go, using the law of physics to escape their defender and generate space. This change of direction must be quick to ensure the defender doesn't have time to react.
The L-cut is often used in conjunction with other cuts, such as the V-cut, to create space and get open for a pass. The V-cut is a common cut used by wing players to get open against man-to-man defences. It involves taking a few medium-speed steps towards the middle of the court, before cutting hard in a V-shape back to the ball. This movement is often followed by an L-cut to create even more space.
L-cuts are a great way to get open on the perimeter and generate space away from defenders, providing players with more room to operate and create scoring opportunities.
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Iverson Cut: Named after NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, this cut involves moving from one side of the court to the other
The Iverson cut is a basketball manoeuvre named after NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, who used this cut to create space and generate scoring opportunities. The Iverson cut involves an offensive player moving from one side of the court, usually from a wing area, to the other side, typically the opposite wing. This cut can be used with one or two screens set by teammates, or it can be performed without screens.
To execute the Iverson cut, the player starts on the right side wing with another teammate at the top with possession of the ball. The player then moves across to the left side wing, using screens set by teammates in the high post elbow areas. As this happens, the player with the ball can dribble towards the middle, attacking the rim with the help of a pick set by the teammate in the high post area. The player performing the Iverson cut can then receive the ball and has multiple scoring options, such as shooting at the rim or passing to an open teammate.
The Iverson cut is a valuable tool for creating scoring opportunities and can be used by players with strong shooting or dribbling skills to get open for a jump shot or to attack the basket. It can also lead to isolation actions, providing additional options for the offence. The versatility of the Iverson cut makes it a powerful weapon in a team's offensive arsenal, allowing them to create advantageous situations and keep the defence guessing.
The Iverson cut is a fundamental movement in basketball that can be practised and utilised by players of all levels. It is a great way to create space, confuse the defence, and generate high-percentage scoring chances. By mastering the Iverson cut, players can improve their offensive capabilities and become more versatile threats on the court.
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Laker Cut: Involves a pass to a player near the low post, who then cuts towards the basket
The Laker cut is a basketball offensive strategy that was famously used by the Los Angeles Lakers during their Showtime Era dynasty, where they won five championships.
The Laker cut involves an offensive player in possession of the basketball, usually positioned near the wing, passing it to another player near the low post. The passer then immediately cuts toward the basket and may receive the ball again from the low post player for a scoring opportunity. This strategy is effective because it disrupts the defence, with the offensive player moving into the gap between defenders.
The Laker cut can be performed on the high side or the low side. The high side Laker cut is generally preferred as it promotes good basketball spacing and further disrupts the defensive team's scheme. The low side Laker cut occurs when an offensive player moves towards the basket, adjacent to the baseline on the low side of the frontcourt. This variation is less common as it can result in a double team or defensive dig, leading to a steal or turnover.
The Laker cut is a basic yet effective basketball cut that can create scoring opportunities and disrupt the defence. It is an important strategy for players to master, especially when used in combination with other offensive techniques.
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Shallow Cuts: Used when exchanging positions, this cut involves going underneath and popping out to where the player was
Shallow cuts are an important offensive skill in basketball, allowing players to move without the ball and create space to get open from a defender. This technique is particularly useful when exchanging positions with another player.
To execute a shallow cut, a player makes an underneath cut, going under their teammate, and then pops out to where that teammate was previously positioned. This movement can be used to interchange positions with the person dribbling the ball, keeping the defender occupied. It can also be used to relocate to the other side of the floor. For example, if you are on the right wing and the point guard dribbles towards you from the top of the circle, you can make an underneath cut through the lane and pop out on the left side of the floor.
Shallow cuts can be used against both man and zone defences. They are an effective way to create space and scoring opportunities, as the defender often loses sight of the player cutting, especially if they are focused on the ball and other players.
When performing a shallow cut, it is important to have your hands ready to catch the ball and be in a position to shoot or be in a triple-threat position. Once you catch the ball, you can rip-through low and hard to swing your front foot past the defender's front foot and use a quick, low, and explosive first step to get past them.
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Frequently asked questions
A V-cut is a common type of cut used by wing players to get open against man-to-man defences. It involves taking a few medium-speed steps towards the middle of the court and then cutting hard in a V-shape back to the ball.
The Iverson cut is performed by an offensive player who starts on one side of the court, usually near a wing area, and cuts through to the opposite side. It is often used with screens set by additional players but can also be done without them.
A shallow cut is a perimeter cut used when exchanging positions with another player. It involves cutting underneath and then popping out to the previous position of the other player.
A front cut is used to get behind an opponent who is overplaying the ball. You can create space by using a quick jab step or a small cut to get them to move back, and then you cut in front of them towards the ball.
A backdoor cut is a type of cut that requires good passing skills. The player with the ball must set up their defender, quickly change direction, and explode towards the basket to create an easy lay-up opportunity.
