Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a dynamic sport that involves a combination of quick moves, cuts, and pivots. To excel in the game, players must not only master dribbling and shooting but also understand how to move effectively without the basketball. This aspect of the game is often overlooked, leaving players unsure of what to do when they don't have possession of the ball. Teaching youth players how to move without the ball is crucial to their long-term development and can give them a competitive edge. By focusing on fundamental movement skills, foot positioning, and strategies such as setting screens and using cuts, coaches can empower young players to become more versatile and well-rounded athletes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foot positioning | Knees comfortably flexed, feet shoulder-width apart |
| Head positioning | Balanced, not too far forward or backward |
| Body positioning | Fundamental basketball position |
| Movement | Quick, smooth, and explosive |
| Drills | 2 on 2, 3 on 3, and partner drills |
| Screens | Set up before using, run off shoulder to shoulder |
| Cuts | Back cut, curl cut, V-cut, etc. |
| Spacing | Perimeter players spaced 12 to 15 feet apart |
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What You'll Learn
- Footwork: teach players to position their feet to enable quick moves, cuts, and pivots
- Head and body positioning: explain how head position affects balance and movement, and how to maintain the fundamental basketball position
- Cuts and screens: teach players to use cuts and screens to create space and get open
- Setting screens: explain how to set screens and use them to get open, such as the lateral screen, flare screen, or down-screen
- Movement drills: practice drills to improve movement without the ball, such as driving right or left and having teammates shift accordingly
Footwork: teach players to position their feet to enable quick moves, cuts, and pivots
When teaching youth basketball players about footwork, it's important to focus on the fundamentals that will enable them to execute quick moves, cuts, and pivots effectively. Here are some key points to cover:
Footwork Fundamentals
Start by teaching players the importance of footwork fundamentals. Emphasize that proper footwork will enable them to move more quickly and efficiently on the court. Demonstrate the correct stance, with feet shoulder-width apart, knees flexed, and weight on the balls of the feet. This stance provides a solid foundation for all types of movement.
Pivoting
Pivoting is a crucial skill that allows players to change direction and protect the ball. Teach players how to pivot on one foot, ensuring they understand the rules regarding the pivot foot. For example, the pivot foot cannot be lifted before dribbling. Show them how to use a front pivot to turn and face the basket, and how this same footwork can be applied when cutting from the corner to the wing.
Cuts
Cuts are essential for creating space and getting open. Teach players about different types of cuts, such as the V-cut, front-cut, back-cut, and curl cut. Explain how to use a step-back move to fake one direction before cutting in another, throwing off the defending player.
Agility and Quickness
Incorporate drills that focus on agility and quickness. For example, have players practice moving without the ball, shifting directions as their teammates drive in different directions. This will help them develop the ability to move swiftly and react quickly to the actions of their teammates and opponents.
Passing and Footwork
Passing and footwork are closely connected. Teach players how to use a jab step or ball fake (pass fake or shot fake) to create space for a pass or shot. Explain that by using a little "misdirection," they can open up lanes to drive, cut, shoot, or pass.
Remember, when teaching footwork, it's important to be patient and focus on long-term development. Start with the basics and gradually progress to more advanced footwork techniques as players master the fundamentals.
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Head and body positioning: explain how head position affects balance and movement, and how to maintain the fundamental basketball position
When teaching youth about basketball, it is important to focus on their long-term development rather than short-term wins. This includes teaching them fundamental athletic movements such as running, jumping, landing, skipping, stopping, moving laterally, squatting, lunging, and more.
Head and Body Positioning
The head and body positioning of a basketball player is crucial to their balance and movement on the court. Players should be taught to keep their heads up to read the play and anticipate the next move. This will help them make quick decisions and react accordingly.
Additionally, players should maintain a balanced position, with their knees bent, hands up, and feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. This stance provides stability and allows for quick movements in any direction. The player's body weight should be distributed evenly, with a slight preference towards the pivot foot, enabling smooth and controlled pivoting.
To achieve and maintain this fundamental basketball position, players should focus on the following:
- Keeping their heads up and eyes forward: This helps them maintain awareness of their surroundings, anticipate passes, and make quick decisions.
- Distributing their body weight evenly: By centering their weight, players can quickly shift their direction without losing balance.
- Bending their knees: This lowers their center of gravity, improving stability and enabling quicker and more explosive movements.
- Keeping their hands up: This helps players catch passes, block shots, or play defence. It also contributes to overall balance.
- Maintaining a wide stance: By positioning their feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, players gain stability and a stronger base for jumping, pivoting, or reacting to an opponent's moves.
By focusing on head and body positioning, young basketball players can improve their balance, movement, and overall performance on the court. This fundamental skill will help them become more agile, responsive, and effective players.
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Cuts and screens: teach players to use cuts and screens to create space and get open
When teaching youth basketball players how to move without the basketball, it's important to be patient. Moving without the ball is a difficult skill to master, but it can be done with focus and practice. Here are some tips for teaching players to use cuts and screens to create space and get open:
Teach Basic Cuts
Start by teaching players the concept of a basketball cut, which is an offensive skill used by a player without the ball to create space and get open from a defender. Explain that a cut involves moving from one location on the court to another, often with an initial quick step towards a player with the ball, followed by a cut to the basket. Demonstrate and drill the following types of cuts:
- Backdoor Cut: A quick step towards a player with the ball, followed by a cut to the basket.
- Fade Cut: Moving towards the corner to create an open jump shot opportunity.
- Fill Cut: Moving to occupy an empty spot on the court, such as the top, wing, slot, or corner.
- Blast Cut: A type of fill cut where a player cuts directly towards a vacant space.
- Slice Cut: Moving across the lane from one side to the other to create a scoring opportunity.
- Slot Cut: Cutting to the basket through a slot area on the court.
- Split Cut (Post Split Action): When a player near a perimeter area passes the ball to a teammate and then cuts towards the basket.
- Iverson Cut: Moving from one side wing to the other, often using screens set by additional players.
Teach Basic Screens
Introduce the concept of a basketball screen, which is when an offensive player attempts to block or delay a defender to create space and separation for a teammate. Explain that screens can be on-ball (directly involving the player with the ball) or off-ball (occurring anywhere else on the court). Teach players how to set screens and how to use them to their advantage when they have the ball. Some common types of screens to teach include:
- Back Screen: An off-ball screen set behind a teammate's defender, allowing the offensive player to cut towards the basket.
- Cross Screen: When a player cuts to the opposite side of the floor to set a screen, often creating a scoring opportunity for a teammate.
- Double Screen: Two players set a screen side-by-side, making it harder for the defender of the player receiving the screen.
- Down Screen (Pin Down): The screener faces their chest towards the baseline, causing the player receiving the screen to cut away from the hoop.
- Drag Screen: An on-ball screen set by a trailing offensive player in transition.
- Flare Screen: An off-ball screen that allows a player to cut away from the ball to the perimeter for an outside shot.
- Flat Screen: A screen set for the player with the ball, with the screener's back facing the basket.
- Flex Screen: Set on the weak side of the floor, allowing the offensive player to cut along the baseline.
- Hammer Screen: A variation of the back screen set on the weak side, allowing a teammate to cut to the corner for an open shot.
- Horns Screen: Two off-ball players set an on-ball screen on either side of the ball-handler's defender.
- Ram Screen: An off-ball screen that immediately becomes an on-ball screen, creating difficulty for the defender.
- Staggered Screen: Two players set a screen for a teammate, but they are not side-by-side.
Drills for Using Cuts and Screens
Once players have a basic understanding of cuts and screens, teach them how to use these skills effectively to create space and get open. Here are some tips and drills:
- Set-up Before Using a Screen: Teach players to take a step back from the screen to fake their intended direction, then rub off the screen to throw off the defending player and create space.
- Run Shoulder to Shoulder: When using screens, there should be no space between the player and the screener, making it hard for the defence to slide through.
- Move with the Ball: Teach players to move in the direction of the ball. If a teammate drives middle, shift to create space for them to pass.
- Timing is Key: Players should not move or fill spots until the person with the ball has penetrated the defence.
- Ghost Screen: A fake screen where a player slowly moves towards a teammate, then sprints to an open space on the court.
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Setting screens: explain how to set screens and use them to get open, such as the lateral screen, flare screen, or down-screen
When teaching youth to move without the basketball, it is important to focus on long-term development and foundational skills. This includes basic athletic movements like running, jumping, and moving laterally, as well as fundamental basketball skills such as passing, dribbling, and shooting.
Now, let's discuss setting screens, which is an important tactic to create opportunities for your teammates to get open for a pass or shot. Here are some common types of screens and how to use them:
Lateral Screen or Cross-Screen
In this type of screen, one guard crosses laterally or sideways to set a screen for another guard or perimeter player. Alternatively, a post player can screen away for another post player. If the cutter basket-cuts, the screener can pop out on the perimeter. If the cutter moves towards the 3-point arc, the screener should seal and slip the screen, looking for a quick pass.
Flare Screen
A flare screen is when an offensive player (the screener) sets a screen on the defender of a teammate (the cutter) who is moving away from the basket, often near the three-point line. The cutter sprints towards the perimeter, using the screener's body as a shield to get open for a pass or shot. This move can catch defenders off guard as they are typically focused closer to the basket. Effective communication between the cutter and screener is crucial, using both verbal and non-verbal cues.
Down-Screen
The down-screen is usually set low, near the block or baseline, for another player. The screener typically faces the basket with their back to the ball. After screening, they pivot and face the ball. The screener should be stationary, with their body vertical and square to the defender. Their chest should be in line with the defender's shoulder and hips.
Remember, when setting screens, it is important to make contact with the defender without committing a foul. Setting screens is a great way to free up your teammates and create scoring opportunities.
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$25
Movement drills: practice drills to improve movement without the ball, such as driving right or left and having teammates shift accordingly
When teaching youth about basketball, it is important to focus on their long-term development rather than short-term wins. Coaches should first ensure that their players have a solid foundation of athletic and movement skills. This includes basic movements such as running, jumping, skipping, stopping, moving laterally, squatting, and lunging. Basic passes, such as chest, bounce, and overhead passes, should also be taught.
Once these fundamentals are in place, coaches can introduce drills to improve movement without the ball. One such drill involves teaching players to drive right or left and having teammates shift accordingly. This is a fundamental principle that can be practiced from all five spots on the court.
For example, if a player on the wing drives to the baseline, their teammate at the top should move to fill the corner spot, creating a passing lane. This is called "baseline drift," and it allows the player with the ball to make a pass, and the receiving player can then shoot. This drill can be practiced in slow motion and then gradually increased to full speed.
Another variation of this drill involves the player with the ball driving middle, with their teammate shifting to the opposite side to move without the ball. This movement should be in the same direction as the ball, so if the player with the ball goes left, their teammate should also shift to the left. This keeps the defense off-balance and opens up space for the offense.
In addition to these drills, coaches can also incorporate other exercises to improve movement without the ball, such as cone drills, ladder drills, and sprint exercises. Players should also be taught to recognize when to cut, rotate, or set screens during a game to further refine their movement.
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