Helena Frye
Pivoting is an essential yet underrated fundamental skill in basketball that allows players to change direction while maintaining their dribble, protecting the ball from defenders, and creating space to shoot or pass. To teach pivoting, it is recommended to start with the basics of footwork and progress to drills and game-time scenarios. Players should understand the two types of pivots: forward and reverse (or drop-step). The pivot foot remains firmly planted, while the other foot can move in any direction, preferably 180 degrees. Visual aids and practices without a ball can help players grasp the correct footwork and movement. Drills such as Pivot Out of Trouble teach players to pivot away from defenders to buy time and create scoring opportunities. Coaches can also simulate game situations where players pivot after catching the ball or before passing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Footwork | One foot stays firmly planted while the other can move in any direction, preferably 180 degrees. The pivot foot can be the left or right foot. |
| Visual aids | Use cones or markers to help players understand the footwork and movement involved in pivoting. |
| Drill | "Pivot Out of Trouble" is a drill that helps players deal with one of the most challenging situations. It teaches players that they can buy time by pivoting away from the defender. |
| Game situations | Simulate game-time scenarios where players pivot after catching the ball or before passing it. |
| Positioning | Start with the triple threat position. Remind players to be balanced, keep their eyes up, and protect the basketball. |
| Muscle memory | Ask players to freeze in a "statue" position after performing each move to help them remember the correct footwork and build muscle memory. |
| Practice without a ball | Have players line up horizontally and practice each of the four pivots by announcing and demonstrating the desired pivot. |
| Back pivot | A finishing move used by an offensive player who is closest to the basket but has a defender between them. It is used to create space and scoring opportunities. |
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What You'll Learn
- Footwork fundamentals: One foot stays planted while the other moves in any direction, often 180 degrees
- Pivot types: Forward and reverse (or drop-step) pivots are the two main types
- Pivot foot choice: Usually, the non-dominant foot is the pivot foot, but players should practice both
- Drills: Pivot Out of Trouble is a drill that teaches players to pivot away from defenders
- Game simulation: Simulate game scenarios to practice pivoting after catching the ball or before passing
Footwork fundamentals: One foot stays planted while the other moves in any direction, often 180 degrees
Footwork is key to basketball and is an essential skill for players to master. Pivoting is a fundamental part of the game, allowing players to change direction, protect the ball, and shoot or pass quickly.
When teaching pivoting, start with the basics of footwork. One foot, the pivot foot, stays firmly planted on the floor, acting as a pivot point, while the other foot moves in any direction, often spinning 180 degrees. This movement creates space and avoids defenders. A helpful tip for beginners is to imagine there is a nail through the big toe of their pivot foot, keeping it in place. The heel can lift, but the toe must remain on the floor.
Both left and right feet should be practiced as the pivot foot, and players should be reminded to maintain their balance and keep their eyes up. The pivot is often used in conjunction with dribbling, so it is important to teach players to pivot before they dribble, and to ensure the ball is released before the pivot foot is lifted.
The back pivot is an important move to teach, especially for younger players, as it is a dynamic way to improve footwork. It is a finishing move, used to create space and scoring opportunities. Drills such as "Pivot Out of Trouble" can help players understand the importance of pivoting under pressure and how it can buy them time.
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Pivot types: Forward and reverse (or drop-step) pivots are the two main types
Pivoting is an essential skill in basketball, allowing players to change direction while maintaining their dribble, protecting the ball from defenders, and creating opportunities to shoot or pass. There are two main types of pivots: forward and reverse (also known as drop-step) pivots.
In a forward pivot, the player pivots or spins in the direction they are facing. For example, if a right-handed player has their left foot as the pivot foot, they will spin or step forward in a counterclockwise motion. Conversely, a left-handed player with their right foot as the pivot foot will spin or step forward in a clockwise motion.
The reverse pivot, on the other hand, involves the player pivoting or stepping backward. Continuing with the previous example, a right-handed player with their left foot as the pivot foot would perform a reverse pivot by stepping backward in a clockwise motion. For a left-handed player with their right foot as the pivot foot, the reverse pivot would be a counterclockwise backward step.
It's important to note that the choice of pivot foot depends on the game situation and the player's position on the court. Typically, right-handed players use their left foot as the pivot foot, and left-handed players use their right foot. However, players should practice using both feet, as there may be situations where they need to use their non-dominant foot. Additionally, low-post players who have their backs to the basket can receive the ball with both feet planted, allowing them to choose either foot for pivoting based on the defender's position.
When teaching players about pivot types, it's helpful to start with basic footwork and movement. Visual aids, such as cones or markers, can assist players in understanding the mechanics of pivoting. Players should maintain proper positioning, starting with the triple threat position, and focus on keeping their balance, eyes up, and protecting the basketball. Drills such as "Pivot Out of Trouble" can also help players understand the importance of pivoting under pressure and how it can create opportunities to pass or shoot.
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Pivot foot choice: Usually, the non-dominant foot is the pivot foot, but players should practice both
When teaching basketball, it's important to cover the fundamentals of pivoting. This often-undervalued skill is essential for players to master, as it allows them to change direction while maintaining their dribble, protecting the ball from defenders, and creating space to shoot or pass.
The choice of pivot foot is a critical aspect of pivoting. Typically, a player's non-dominant foot serves as the pivot foot. For example, a right-handed player often uses their left foot as the pivot, and a left-handed player would use their right foot. This setup allows for a more natural and comfortable movement pattern.
However, it's crucial for players to practice using both their left and right feet as the pivot foot. This is because, during a game, players may find themselves in situations where they have no choice but to pivot on their non-dominant foot. By practicing with both feet, they develop ambidexterity and become more versatile on the court.
To help players understand the concept of pivot foot choice, coaches can demonstrate the different types of pivots: the forward pivot and the reverse pivot (or drop step). In a forward pivot, the player spins or steps forward, while in a reverse pivot, they step backward. Players can be instructed to freeze in a "statue" pose after executing each move to help them remember the correct footwork and build muscle memory.
Additionally, coaches can introduce drills such as "Pivot Out of Trouble," where players dribble at a defender, pick up their dribble, and then pivot away from the defender to create space. This drill emphasizes the importance of pivoting in game-time scenarios and reinforces the value of pivoting as a means to buy time and create scoring opportunities.
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Drills: Pivot Out of Trouble is a drill that teaches players to pivot away from defenders
Drills are an essential part of learning the fundamentals of basketball, and pivoting is no exception. "Pivot Out of Trouble" is a drill that teaches players to pivot away from defenders, a core fundamental of basketball for pressure defences. This drill can be used by players of any age, ability, and experience level.
To execute this drill, the ball handler dribbles at a defender and purposely picks up their dribble but in a flexed position. The defender then harasses the ball handler, who must pivot away from the defender (not into them) and keep pivoting away as the defender tries to get to the ball. The pivot remains low, and the ball is kept away from the defender. The coach counts to five so the offensive player knows how much time they have. This teaches the player that pivoting away can buy them time, and five seconds is a long time.
This drill is an excellent way to teach players how to handle one of the toughest situations they may face in a game. It also reinforces the importance of footwork and movement in basketball. Players should be reminded to keep their balance, eyes up, and protect the basketball.
Additionally, coaches can incorporate visual aids such as cones or markers to help players understand the footwork involved in pivoting. It is important to practice both left and right pivot feet, as players may be forced to use their non-dominant foot in a game. The "Pivot Out of Trouble" drill can be combined with other drills and small-sided games to further reinforce pivoting skills and their application in game situations.
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Game simulation: Simulate game scenarios to practice pivoting after catching the ball or before passing
Game simulation is a great way to teach basketball players how to pivot after catching the ball or before passing. Here are some tips and drills to help you get started:
Footwork Fundamentals
Start by teaching players the basics of footwork. Explain that one foot stays firmly planted as the pivot foot while the other foot can move in any direction, ideally 180 degrees, to create space or avoid defenders. A helpful cue is to tell players to pretend there's a nail in the big toe of their pivot foot – the heel can come up, but the big toe must stay planted. Use visual aids like cones or markers to help players understand the movement and practice both left and right pivot feet.
Passing Tag
Passing tag is a fun and interactive drill to teach players about pivoting while passing. In this game, players must pivot in the direction they are passing the ball and protect it from defenders. This drill helps players understand the importance of pivoting to create space and avoid defenders.
Break-Catch-Pause-Pivot
This drill helps players practice pivoting after catching the ball. Organize players into lines and have them practice passing, catching, and pivoting. Start with a basic athletic position and announce the desired pivot. When you slap the ball, command "break," and players quickly move to the FT line and jump-stop. Make a pretend pass and command "catch." After a brief pause, command "pivot," and players execute the pivot. The pauses are crucial to eliminating rushing.
Pivot Out of Trouble
This drill teaches players how to pivot away from defenders to create space and buy time. The ball handler dribbles towards a defender and picks up their dribble. The defender harasses the ball handler, who pivots away from the defender and keeps pivoting as the defender tries to get the ball. The coach counts to five to teach the offensive player about time management and staying calm.
Remember, game simulation and drills are excellent tools to teach pivoting techniques and their application in game scenarios. By practicing these drills and emphasizing the importance of footwork, players will improve their pivoting skills and overall game performance.
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Frequently asked questions
Start with the basics of footwork: one foot stays firmly on the floor while the other can move in any direction, preferably 180 degrees. Use visual aids like cones to help players understand the movement. The pivot foot can be the left or right foot, and they should practice both.
A fun and engaging game to teach pivoting is 'Passing Tag'. In this game, players pivot in the direction of the pass while also protecting the ball from defenders. This game teaches players about pivoting and passing simultaneously.
One essential drill is the 'Pivot Out of Trouble', which teaches players to pivot away from defenders to create space and buy time. Another useful drill is the 'Static 1-on-1', where an offensive player tries to manoeuvre past defenders through dribbling or catching.
The back pivot is a finishing move used by an offensive player to create space and scoring opportunities. It is a dynamic move that can be applied from a shoulder-to-chest position with a defender or the basket. Teaching the back pivot is a great way to improve players' footwork fundamentals and overall success in the game.
