Basketball moves

Basketball moves are generally individual actions used by players to pass by defenders to gain access to the basket or to get a clean pass to a teammate.

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Michael Jordan performing jab step, pump fake, dribble drive, pump fake and layup in a series.

Dribbling

Crossover Dribble

The crossover is a dribbling technique that involves a motion by which the player, before or while dribbling the ball, changes the dribbling direction by moving or bouncing the ball from one side of the body to the other. It is generally used quickly so the defender's momentum will not be able to stay with the player's new dribbling direction. This move provides the players a space to pass the defender.

The crossover has been popularised by players such as Tim Hardaway and Allen Iverson.

Behind the Back Crossover

The behind the back crossover is a variation of the crossover, whereby the player, while dribbling the ball with one hand, bounces the ball behind his back to the other hand in order to switch the direction of dribbling. It is a more stylised way to evade the defender while protecting the ball.

Under the Legs Crossover

The under the legs crossover is yet another variation of the crossover. It is also known as the between the legs dribble. The move is done when the player dribbles the ball in between his legs from one hand to another. It's an effective way to change the direction of dribbling while protecting the ball from the defender.

Spin Move

A spin move is performed when a player spins his body in an effort to change the direction of the dribble or the layup while evading his defender. The spin move can be used while dribbling or in a post position. Post players usually use the move many times during a game in order to lose the opponent. Guards with better ball handling ability can use the spin move when dribbling. The spin move gets the body in between the ball and the defender to prevent him from reaching the ball. The drawback of the move is that the ballhandler can be disoriented after performing the move.

Hesitation Dribble

A hesitation dribble is a dribbling action with an intentional change of pace or direction, intended to confuse or freeze a defender. The change makes it more difficult for the defender to predict the movement of the ball and so it is harder for him to make a steal. The move is often performed by street players. In the professional league, players like Allen Iverson are known to use this move in order to generate an easy layup or jump shot.

Passes

Bounce Pass

Bounce Pass is a fundamental passing technique. The player passes the ball to a teammate by bouncing the ball off the floor. A successful bounce pass can easily result in an assist because a bounce pass is harder for defenders to intercept. At the same time, a bounce pass is also easier to intercept due to its slower speed. As such, a player is required to use his or her best judgement when determing whether or not to throw such a pass.

Blind Pass

Also known as a no-look pass, the blind pass is performed when a player looks in one direction but passes the ball to his target in another direction. Blind passes are risky and as a result are not often performed. However, when done correctly, blind passes often confuse the defender(s). The blind pass has been popularised by players such as Magic Johnson .

Behind-the-back

Behind-the-back passes are passes dealt to a target behind the passer's back. Usually done to confuse the defender, behind the back passes can either be bounced off the floor or passed directly to a teammate. However, most behind-the-back passes are direct. Chris Webber of the Philadelphia 76ers is famed for using this move down in the paint.

Jump pass

A jump pass is a pass performed while the passing player's feet are off the floor. When done intentionally, it can sometimes confuse the defender, causing him to believe that the passer is shooting instead of passing. However, it at times is done as a result of the player having their shooting lane blocked and often leads to the player turning the ball over to the opposing team.

Two Person Game

Give and Go

"Give and Go" is an offensive play that involves passing the ball (give) and then running (go) to an open spot to receive the ball back, usually near the basket, for an easy score. This play can be effective when the defender pays too much attention to the ball instead of the player who moves after passing the ball.

Pick and Roll

"Pick and Roll" is an offensive play in which a player stops to screen (block) a defender for the teammate handling the ball and then slips behind the defender to accept a pass as the handler makes a move towards the basket. In the NBA, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz are the quintessential pick and roll tandum and used this play to great effect in the 1990's. See pick and roll.

Back Door

A back door play is when a player without the ball gets behind the defense and receives a pass for an easy score. This can be executed if the defenders are unaware of the open space behind them. Also, when a defender overcommits on defense (e.g. tries to steal or deny a pass), they are vulnerable to a backdoor play. Most notably used by Princeton University.

Shots

Bank shot

A bankshot in basketball is a shot using a bounce off the backboard. It is mostly used for medium-ranged jump shots from an angle and layups. It is less used for long-ranged shots or shots from the middle. The purpose of using the backboard is to slow the ball down and increase the chance that the ball would slowly fall into the basket. Other terms for a bankshot are "off the glass". NBA players known for using the bankshot often are Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade, and Scottie Pippen.

Putback and Tip-in

A putback describes a situation where a player secures an offensive rebound then immediately scores a basket. If the player secures the rebound while in the air, to be considered a putback the player can land on the ground before shooting, but cannot dribble before taking the shot. If the player does not secure the rebound but instead taps the ball into the basket, it is considred a tip-in. There is a point where a putback and a tip-in are a matter of subjective difference (eg, a one-handed rebound in the air followed by a score before touching the ground).

Articles on other shots

• Fadeaway
• Free throw
• Hook shot
• Jump shot
• Layup
• Slam dunk
• Teardrop