Video and Tips: How to Move without the Ball and Get Open Shots
To score more points, your goal is simple... You want to use a variety of movements to get enough space for a wide open uncontested shot.
To get open, you'll want to use a variety of cuts and screens. You can learn about the dozens of different screens and cuts, by reviewing these offensive diagrams.
Once you have a basic understanding of different cuts and screens, you should learn some basic guidelines and tips that apply to all screens and cuts.
Here are some universal tips to help you move without the ball and score more points:
Set your man up before using the screen. In other words, before rubbing off a screen, take a step away from the screen and fake like you're going the other direction. Then you can rub off the screen. This will get your defender off balance and give you more space.
Run off screens shoulder to shoulder. There should be no space between you and the person setting the screen. This makes it difficult for the defense to "slip" through and take away your shot.
Read the defense! One of the best skills you can learn as a player is how to read the defense. If your defender cheats over the screen, then you can flare the other direction so the defender gets stuck behind the screen. If the defender denies you the ball and overplays the passing lane, then back door them cutting hard to the basket. These are just a few examples. Learn the different ways you can read the defense. This will make you a better player!
When cutting, vary your speed. In other words, you might want to take a few steps one direction at half speed, then quickly change direction sprinting off a screen. This keeps the defense guessing and off balance.
Know where your teammates are at. This comes with experience and game awareness. The better you know your teammates and your offense, the easier it will be for you to find them and use their screens.
Never stand still for more than two seconds. If you're a great shooter, keep moving. Don't stand in one spot for more than two seconds.
We suggest that you check out this excellent video by Rip Hamilton that shows you how to move without the ball. He also shows a few simple drills:
What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...
Awesome, I have to work with a couple of perimeter/wing players (gr. 9 girls) and this video and basic tips are perfect to reinforce to the players.
Thank you!
Tiffany Tucker says:
2/12/2008 at 11:31:44 AM
Thanks for that demostration! This will be awesome to show my team because it feels like that only believe in what the pros tell them to do.
dondi says:
2/12/2008 at 5:10:35 PM
Hi! I would just like to commend and praise you for a wonderful newsletter you have been sending me. It has been of great help to my coaching profession. The drills and videos give me added knowledge for my team. Thank you very much!!!
marc says:
2/14/2008 at 2:45:46 AM
it very good, i hope they will be more video drill to follow.. it really helps me in training my basketball team..
Jay D. says:
10/26/2008 at 12:21:42 PM
thanx this was my biggest problem thanx so much for the help
Kevin says:
1/18/2009 at 11:14:58 PM
i played last year in my school team gr 8 i move alot and bcoz i was bigger than other players was made to play forward most of my teamates stood still watching the ball and the handler tht was long ago tho never got the ball much
Charlie says:
4/16/2009 at 12:12:20 PM
I love this video with Rip Hamilton. When I first started playing B-Ball, I had no idea how to play without the ball. You play 80% of the time without the ball. So it is critical to learn how to use screens. This video is awesome. Show me more!!!!
King says:
6/25/2009 at 3:19:35 PM
This video is great. I got a house league game today and i have been struguling getting the ball and getting the ball open. Im going to try this today and ill write back how i did.
