Amanda Knapp
In basketball, the term breaking ankles is used to describe an offensive player's dribbling move that causes the defender to lose balance and fall. This move, usually a crossover, requires excellent dribbling skills and quickness. The term ankle-breaker is also used in a more general sense to describe anything that causes someone to twist or break their ankle. The phrase has been used in English since the 1840s and is often used hyperbolically.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | When an offensive basketball player performs a dribbling move with the ball, usually a crossover, that causes the defender to lose balance or stumble and fall to the court |
| Synonyms | Crossing someone over, causing a player to stumble |
| Etymology | The earliest known use of the adjective "ankle-breaking" is in the 1840s, in the Literary Gazette |
| Example | "Paul sprints up the court with the ball and pulls a hesitation move on the defender that breaks his ankles and allows him to go in for the uncontested layup." |
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What You'll Learn
- Breaking ankles refers to a dribbling move that causes a defender to lose balance and fall
- A player with excellent dribbling skills and quickness can break ankles
- Breaking ankles can be as easy as a simple fake and dribble against a subpar defender
- An offensive player can use a crossover to break ankles and gain an uncontested layup
- Breaking ankles is slang for causing a player to stumble
Breaking ankles refers to a dribbling move that causes a defender to lose balance and fall
In basketball, breaking ankles refers to a dribbling move that causes a defender to lose balance and fall. This move is usually a crossover, where the player with the ball rapidly switches the ball from one hand to the other, causing the defender to stumble. Breaking ankles is considered a difficult move that requires excellent dribbling skills and quickness, as well as a strong and deceptive crossover.
Some of the most famous players in basketball history known for their ability to break ankles include Allen Iverson and Tim Hardaway. When a player becomes known for their crossovers, defenders tend to give them more room to avoid being crossed up. This can open up more opportunities for the ball-handler, such as a jump shot.
While breaking ankles typically refers to the defender falling to the court, it can also be used more broadly to describe causing a defender to stumble or commit a false step. For example, if the defender steps on the offensive player's shoe, they may recover if it was the other way around. However, the defensive player is still responsible for not stepping on the offensive player's shoe.
The term "breaking ankles" is not limited to basketball and can be used in other sports or even in general to describe something that causes a person to twist or break their ankle. In archaeology, for example, the term "ankle-breaker" is used to describe a narrow drainage ditch that presents a hazard and could cause someone to fall.
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A player with excellent dribbling skills and quickness can break ankles
In basketball, the term "breaking ankles" refers to a dribbling move that causes the defender to lose balance or fall. A player with excellent dribbling skills and quickness can break ankles by performing a strong and deceptive crossover dribble. This move involves quickly changing the direction of the dribble by switching the ball from one hand to the other, catching the defender off-guard and causing them to stumble or fall.
Breaking ankles is an advanced skill that requires a high level of dribbling proficiency and quickness. Players like Allen Iverson and Tim Hardaway are known for their ability to break ankles, using their speed and explosiveness to execute crossovers effectively. Iverson, in particular, was known for his preference to cross from left to right, utilizing his left leg for a quicker explosion.
The key to breaking ankles is in the execution of the crossover dribble. A successful crossover involves dribbling the ball low and quick, minimizing the opponent's chance to swipe the ball. Additionally, the ball-handler brings the opposite foot forward as the ball changes direction, further enhancing the move's effectiveness.
When a player becomes known for their crossover ability, defenders tend to give them more space on the court to avoid being crossed-up. This additional space can create opportunities for the ball-handler, such as opening up the jump shot. However, against a subpar defender with poor footwork, breaking ankles can be as simple as a fake move followed by a dribble past the defender.
In summary, a player with excellent dribbling skills and quickness can break ankles by mastering the art of the crossover dribble. This move can create advantages on the court and is a valuable skill for any offensive basketball player to possess.
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Breaking ankles can be as easy as a simple fake and dribble against a subpar defender
Breaking ankles is a basketball term used to describe when an offensive basketball player performs a dribbling move, usually a crossover, that causes the defender to lose balance or fall. This move requires excellent dribbling skills and quickness, as well as a strong and deceptive crossover. Allen Iverson and Tim Hardaway are two of the most famous players in basketball known for breaking the ankles of even the most skilled defenders.
When going up against a subpar defender with poor footwork, breaking ankles can indeed be as easy as a simple fake and dribble. This is because a simple fake can cause the defender to lose balance, and a quick dribble can then take the offensive player right past them. A hesitation dribble is a great example of this, where the ball handler can hang onto the ball for a moment to assess their defender, before making a quick move to burn them.
It's important to note that the eyes and body can also be used to trick defenders. For example, staring in the direction of a fake move before exploding in the opposite direction can be very effective. Similarly, facing the chest and shoulders in the direction of the fake can also deceive the defender.
Another key to breaking ankles is the speed and drastic nature of the directional change. The quicker the directional change, the less time the defender has to recover. A violent change in direction, such as from side-to-side or forwards to backwards, can be extremely effective in breaking ankles, as it convinces the defender that the offensive player is going in one direction, only to be left behind when the player changes direction.
Therefore, while breaking ankles requires a high level of skill and deception, it can indeed be as easy as a simple fake and dribble against a subpar defender.
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An offensive player can use a crossover to break ankles and gain an uncontested layup
In basketball, the term "breaking ankles" refers to when an offensive player performs a dribbling move, usually a crossover, that causes the defender to lose balance or fall. A crossover dribble is a manoeuvre in which a player dribbling the ball rapidly switches the ball from one hand to the other to change direction. This technique is used to create space between the offensive player and the defender. The crossover can allow the player a clear path to the basket for an uncontested layup.
A layup is a close-range shot, typically taken within the lane area directly over the front of the rim or off the backboard. It is considered the most basic shot in basketball. When performing a layup, the offensive player jumps in the air using one or both feet to shoot. This makes it harder for a defender to block.
There are two main types of layups: the underarm and the overarm. The underarm layup, also known as the finger roll, involves using the wrist and fingers to "lay" the ball into the net or off the board. The overhand shot is similar to a jump shot but from a much closer range. Overhand layups usually involve using the backboard.
To perform a crossover, the player dribbles the ball on one side, then makes a wide step in that direction with a head fake. If the defender is deceived, the player can then switch to dribbling with the other hand and surpass the defender. This move requires excellent dribbling skills and quickness.
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Breaking ankles is slang for causing a player to stumble
"Breaking ankles" is a slang term used in basketball to describe a player causing their opponent to stumble or lose their balance. The term is used when an offensive player performs a dribbling move, typically a crossover, that causes the defender to lose balance and fall. Breaking ankles requires excellent dribbling skills and quickness, as well as a strong and deceptive crossover move.
The phrase "breaking ankles" is derived from the literal meaning of causing someone to twist or break their ankle, which has been used since the 1840s. In the context of basketball, it is used hyperbolically to describe the action of causing a defender to stumble or fall. This can be achieved through a variety of dribbling techniques, such as a simple fake and dribble or a more complex crossover move.
Some of the most famous basketball players known for their ability to "break ankles" include Allen Iverson and Tim Hardaway, who have broken the ankles of many skilled defenders. Breaking ankles is considered a highly skilled move that can create opportunities for the offensive player, as defenders may give them more room to dribble to avoid being crossed-up.
While the term is often used to describe a successful dribbling move, it is important to note that simply causing a defender to stumble may not always be considered "breaking ankles." Some basketball enthusiasts reserve this term for more impressive or decisive moves that result in an uncontested shot or layup.
In conclusion, "breaking ankles" in basketball slang refers to causing a defender to stumble or lose their balance through skilled dribbling moves. It is a figurative expression that adds excitement and recognition to exceptional offensive plays that create advantages for the ball-handler.
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Frequently asked questions
"Breaking ankles" is a slang term used in basketball to describe when an offensive player performs a dribbling move, usually a crossover, that causes the defender to lose balance and fall.
A player must have excellent dribbling skills and quickness, as well as a strong and deceptive crossover move.
Yes, players like Allen Iverson and Tim Hardaway are known for their ability to 'break the ankles' of even the most skilled defenders.
While it is not necessary, having the skill to 'break ankles' can be advantageous as it can create more opportunities for the ball-handler to make uncontested shots.
