
Cherry-picking in basketball is a strategy where one player, the cherry picker, remains near the opposing team's basket, waiting for their teammates to pass them the ball for an easy basket. While cherry-picking is a legal tactic in organised basketball, it is frowned upon by many players and is considered a violation in some amateur leagues. The cherry picker gains an advantage by exploiting the opposing team's failure to designate a player to mark them. However, if the opponents steal the ball, the cherry picker's team becomes vulnerable on defence as they are left with a 4v5 disadvantage. Cherry-picking is an uncommon strategy in professional basketball, but it has been used by notable players like Wilt Chamberlain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Cherry picking is a tactic in basketball where one player, the cherry picker, stays near the opposing team's basket, while the rest of their team is on defense. |
| Advantage | The cherry picker gets an advantage for an easy basket if the opponents fail to designate a player to stay with them. |
| Disadvantage | If the opponents steal the ball, the cherry picker will be out of position, making it harder for their team to defend. |
| Vulnerability | Cherry picking leaves the team vulnerable to a 4v3 in favor of the other team. |
| Scoring | Cherry picking can be effective when used as a surprise tactic or when a team is trailing and needs to score quickly. |
| Defense | The cherry picker does not play defense with the rest of the team. |
| Scoring | Cherry picking can give a 5-on-4 advantage to the team that uses this tactic, making it easier for the cherry picker to score an uncontested basket. |
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What You'll Learn
- Cherry picking gives the cherry picker's team a 5-on-4 advantage
- Cherry picking is uncommon but legal in organised basketball
- Cherry picking can leave your team vulnerable if the opponents steal the ball
- Cherry picking is an effective surprise tactic when a team is trailing
- Cherry picking is frowned upon because the cherry picker isn't playing the complete game

Cherry picking gives the cherry picker's team a 5-on-4 advantage
Cherry-picking is a basketball tactic where one player, known as the cherry picker, remains near the opposing team's basket while their teammates play defence. This strategy aims to give the cherry picker an advantage for an easy basket if the opposing team fails to assign a player to mark them.
The cherry-picking strategy gives the cherry picker's team a 5-on-4 advantage when attacking. This makes it easier for the cherry picker to score an uncontested basket. However, if the opposing team steals the ball, the cherry picker will be out of position, making it harder for their team to defend against a potential fast break.
The success of cherry-picking relies on the opposing team's inability to adapt their defence. If the opposing team assigns a player to mark the cherry picker, the strategy becomes less effective. In this case, the cherry picker's team may switch to a different strategy, such as having two cherry-pickers or bringing the original cherry picker back into the defensive play.
Cherry-picking is a valid strategy in organised basketball, although some amateur leagues may penalise it as a violation, resulting in a loss of possession and any resulting points. While it can be an effective tactic in certain situations, it should be used sparingly and strategically. It should not be relied upon as a primary method of scoring, as it can leave a team vulnerable on defence.
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Cherry picking is uncommon but legal in organised basketball
Cherry-picking is a tactic in basketball where a player, known as the cherry-picker, remains near the opposing team's basket, while their teammates play defence. This strategy aims to give the cherry picker an advantage for an easy basket, assuming the opposing team does not assign a player to mark them.
Cherry-picking is a rare strategy in professional basketball, although it is legal in organised basketball. Some amateur leagues, however, consider it a violation, penalising it by ending the cherry picker's team's possession and discounting any points scored from the move.
The cherry picker can either wait on their offensive end for a pass from a teammate or sprint towards their own basket as soon as their opponents attempt a shot. This can give the cherry picker's team a 5-on-4 advantage, making it easier for the cherry picker to score an uncontested basket. However, if the opposing team steals the ball, the cherry picker will be out of position, making it harder for their team to defend.
Cherry-picking should be used sparingly and strategically, as it can leave a team vulnerable on defence. It can be effective as a surprise tactic or when a team is trailing and needs to score quickly. Former NBA player Wilt Chamberlain was known for using this strategy during his career.
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Cherry picking can leave your team vulnerable if the opponents steal the ball
Cherry-picking is a basketball tactic where one player, known as the cherry-picker, stays near the opposing team's basket, while their teammates play defence. This gives the cherry-picker an opportunity to score an easy basket if their teammates can pass to them. This strategy can give the cherry-picking team a 5-on-4 advantage, making it easier for the cherry picker to score.
However, cherry-picking can leave a team vulnerable if the opponents steal the ball. If the cherry picker is lingering near the opposition's basket, they are out of position to help their team defend. This means the opposing team can take advantage of the cherry-picking team's reduced numbers and score themselves.
To avoid this vulnerability, some strategies suggest that the cherry-picker should return to defence if the opposition moves the ball towards them. This way, the cherry-picking team avoids being caught out with fewer players defending their basket. Another tactic is to have a second cherry-picker waiting on the opposite sideline. This means that if the first cherry-picker is unable to receive the ball, the second cherry-picker can receive a long pass and score.
Cherry-picking is a legitimate strategy in organised basketball, but it is frowned upon in some amateur leagues, where it may be penalised by a loss of possession and any resulting points. It is also a tactic that should be used sparingly and strategically. While it can be effective as a surprise move or when a team is trailing, it should not be relied upon as a primary method of scoring points.
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Cherry picking is an effective surprise tactic when a team is trailing
Cherry-picking is a basketball tactic where one player, known as the cherry-picker, remains near the opposing team's basket, while their teammates play defense. This strategy aims to give the cherry picker an advantage for an easy basket if the opposing team fails to assign a player to mark them. While cherry-picking is a legal move in organised basketball, it is generally frowned upon and considered unsportsmanlike.
However, cherry-picking can be an effective surprise tactic when a team is trailing. If a team is behind with limited time remaining, they may choose to employ cherry-picking to quickly score a basket and get back in the game. The element of surprise can be crucial in making this strategy work. If the opposing team does not immediately recognise and adapt to this tactic, the cherry picker can gain an easy, uncontested basket, helping their team close the gap in the score.
Former NBA player Wilt Chamberlain was known for using cherry-picking as a strategy during his career. By staying near the opposing team's basket, he could take advantage of a quick pass from a teammate for an easy basket. This strategy can be particularly effective when used sparingly and at strategic moments in the game.
That being said, cherry-picking does come with risks. If the opposing team steals the ball, the cherry picker will be out of position, making it harder for their team to defend. Additionally, relying solely on cherry-picking as a primary method of scoring is not advisable as it can leave a team vulnerable on defence. It is important for players to understand the risks and use cherry-picking sparingly and effectively as a surprise tactic when their team is trailing.
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Cherry picking is frowned upon because the cherry picker isn't playing the complete game
Cherry-picking is a tactic in basketball where a player, known as the cherry picker, remains near the opponent's basket while their teammates play defence. This gives the cherry picker an advantage for an easy basket if the opponents do not assign a player to stay with them.
Cherry-picking is frowned upon because it is seen as an incomplete way of playing the game. The cherry picker is not contributing to the defence, leaving their team vulnerable to a 4v3 or 5v4 advantage for the opposing team. This means that the cherry picker is not playing the "complete" game and accumulates statistics for points scored that exaggerate their prowess. Teammates may regard the cherry picker as less than a full teammate or a complete athlete, or resent the points the cherry picker is credited with.
Cherry-picking is uncommon but legal in organised basketball. It is a tactic that should be used sparingly and strategically, such as when a team is trailing and needs to score quickly. It can be an effective surprise tactic, forcing the opposing team to adjust their strategy and drop one offensive player back for defence.
Cherry-picking is also a strategy in video games that simulate basketball, as well as in sports such as water polo, where it is called "sea-gulling", and ice hockey, where it is known as "loafing".
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Frequently asked questions
Cherry-picking is a tactic in basketball where one player, known as the cherry-picker, remains near the opposing team's basket while their teammates play defence. This gives the cherry-picker an advantage for an easy basket if the opposing team does not assign a player to stay with them.
Cherry-picking is seen negatively because the cherry-picker is not playing defence with their team, leaving them vulnerable to a 4-on-3 situation. This means that if the opposing team steals the ball, it will be harder for the cherry-picker's team to defend their basket. Cherry-picking also results in exaggerated statistics for the cherry-picker, as they are not playing the "complete" game.
Cherry-picking should be used sparingly and strategically. It can be an effective surprise tactic after a time-out or when a team is trailing and needs to score quickly.
Cherry-picking is legal in organised basketball, but it is considered a violation in some amateur leagues, resulting in a loss of possession and any points scored.











































