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Protecting the basketball is an essential skill for any player, especially when driving to the basket. Losing the ball to a defender can be frustrating and can cost your team valuable points. Learning techniques such as the running back, swinging the ball high, and faking passes can help keep the ball safe and prevent it from being knocked out of your hands. These skills are crucial for any ball handler, especially the team's point guard, as they drive towards the basket.
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What You'll Learn
Keep the ball on your outside hip
Keeping the basketball protected is crucial, especially if you are your team's point guard. One effective way to do this is to keep the ball on your outside hip, a technique that is best used when the help defender is late dropping off and you want to prevent your defender from gaining possession. By positioning the ball on your outside hip, you ensure that your defender can only access it by reaching through you, which would result in a foul.
To execute this move effectively, tuck the ball close to your body as you enter the lane, with one arm above the ball and the other arm below it. This "running back" position provides complete protection for the ball. It is important to be aware of your defender's positioning and to time the move accordingly.
Additionally, you can swing the ball high over your shoulders as you drive, which can help you avoid the defence as most defenders tend to reach low for the ball. This technique pairs well with the Euro step move. You can also employ a ball fake to freeze the defence, such as faking a kick-out pass or a behind-the-back pass, which will prevent defenders from getting too close and hindering your progress.
Remember, when using these techniques, it is crucial to avoid travelling. With any layup, you get two steps, and this is when you want to cradle the ball using the "running back" technique. By mastering these skills, you can improve your ball protection and reduce the chances of having the ball knocked out of your hands before scoring.
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Tuck the ball close to your body
One of the most important techniques in basketball is learning how to protect the ball when driving to the basket. This prevents the opposition from stripping the ball from you and helps you score points for your team.
A key way to do this is to tuck the ball close to your body. This technique is often referred to as the "running back". As you enter the lane, hold the ball with one arm above it and one arm below it, keeping it protected and making it difficult for defenders to reach it. This is a crucial move to master, especially if you are your team's point guard.
When executing the "running back", it is important to keep the ball close to your body at all times. This makes it harder for defenders to knock it loose. Keep your arms tight against your body and use them to shield the ball. This technique is most effective when combined with quick, agile footwork, allowing you to change directions swiftly and throw off defenders.
Additionally, you can vary the height at which you tuck the ball. Most defenders will reach low for the ball, so swinging it high over your shoulders as you drive can help you avoid their reach. This technique is particularly useful when using the Euro step to get to the basket. Remember, the key is to keep the ball protected and out of the defender's reach.
By tucking the ball close to your body and utilising the "running back" technique, you can effectively protect the basketball and increase your chances of scoring. This move will help you become a more confident and skilled player, improving your overall performance on the court.
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Swing the ball high
One of the most important things to remember when driving with a basketball is to keep the ball protected. This is especially crucial if you are your team's point guard. A good technique to use when entering the lane is to swing the ball high. By doing this, you can avoid the defence as most defenders will reach low for the ball.
To execute this move, keep one arm above the ball and the other arm below it as you enter the lane, tucking the ball close to your body. This ensures that the ball is completely protected. As you drive to the basket, swing the ball high over your shoulders. This technique is particularly effective when using the Euro step.
It is also a good idea to vary the height at which you carry the ball. While swinging the ball high can be an effective way to protect it, keeping the ball low to the ground at other times can also throw defenders off and increase your chances of scoring.
Additionally, you can combine this technique with a ball fake to freeze the defence. Faking a kick-out pass or a behind-the-back pass will usually cause the defence to hesitate, giving you more space and time to make your move. This can be an effective way to keep defenders from getting too close and hindering your progress.
By utilising this move, you can improve your ball protection and increase your chances of scoring for your team. Remember to practice this technique in drills and games to become more skilled and comfortable with it.
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Fake the kick-out pass
Faking the kick-out pass is an effective way to protect the basketball and create scoring opportunities. The kick pass, also known as the kick-out pass, is an offensive move where a player with possession of the ball throws it to a teammate near the perimeter of the court. This move is often used after dribble penetration or when a player is influenced by double-team defensive action.
Faking this pass can be a crafty way to achieve offensive objectives. It involves pretending to throw the ball to a teammate but then keeping it to perform another action, such as an authentic pass or a scoring opportunity. This fake action can cause the defender to momentarily shift out of their proper defensive stance, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. For example, the player with the ball could then pass it below the defender's high hands or create dribble penetration towards the basket.
Additionally, faking the kick-out pass can be useful in specific game situations, such as during an inbound throw-in or low post feed, or when facing on-ball pressure near the baseline or sideline. It can also be effective against defenders with below-average defensive skills and footwork, as they may be more likely to fall for the fake and shift out of position.
Overall, faking the kick-out pass is a strategic move that can help protect the basketball and create advantageous scoring opportunities for the offensive player and their team.
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Avoid travelling
Travelling is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player moves their pivot foot or takes more than two steps without dribbling. To avoid travelling, players must master their footwork and understand the pivot foot rules.
Firstly, players should establish their pivot foot correctly. This is done by landing on one or both feet simultaneously, ensuring that the pivot foot is not dragged or lifted before dribbling or passing. Practising pivot drills can improve muscle memory and help players avoid travelling.
Secondly, players must be mindful of their steps when moving with the ball. They are allowed two steps after gathering possession before a travel violation is called. Therefore, players should be cautious and avoid taking more than two steps without dribbling.
Additionally, players can use a jump stop when necessary. This involves stopping with both feet simultaneously to avoid travelling. If a player is in an unstable position and takes a small step to regain balance, it may be deemed a travel violation, so a jump stop can help prevent this.
Another way to avoid travelling is to watch slow-motion replays of professional basketball games. By studying the footwork and movements of experienced players, newcomers can better understand the travel rules and improve their own gameplay.
In conclusion, to avoid travelling in basketball, players should focus on perfecting their footwork, understanding the pivot foot rules, and being mindful of their steps. By practising drills and studying professional games, players can improve their technique and reduce the risk of travelling violations.
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Frequently asked questions
Protecting the basketball is important to ensure that the ball is not knocked out of your hands or stripped by defenders before you can take a layup and score.
It is especially crucial to protect the basketball if you are your team's point guard.
One tip to protect the basketball when driving to the basket is to keep the ball on your outside hip. This ensures that the defender can only get to the ball by reaching through you, which is a foul.
Another technique is to execute the "running back". Tuck the ball close to your body with one arm above the ball and one arm below it, making the ball completely protected.
You can freeze the defense by faking the kick-out pass or the behind-the-back pass (Rondo). This will keep defenders from getting too close and hindering your play.
