Quentin was skilled. He could shoot. He could finish. He was a solid ball handler.

But it always seemed like he was playing on his heels… literally.

When he would catch the ball, he would immediately stand up straight. He’d usually combine that with putting the ball above his head (what we affectionately called the Statue of Liberty pose).

Or he’d put the ball right in front of him (also known as the pregnant lady).

Either way, he was immediately vulnerable and on the defensive. His skill no longer mattered.

The irony was that the solution to his problem was a skill that’s much simpler to learn than shooting or finishing.

However, just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s common. And without it, your game will be stuck in neutral.

So, what is it? The rip through. Read on to find out:

• 3 benefits of effective rip thrus

• 5 keys to an effective rip through

• 3 ways to incorporate rip thrus into your practice sessions

Why Ripping Through on the Catch Changes Everything

Why is something as simple as a rip-through so important? Because it’s the key that unlocks your other skills.

Here’s why:

• Rip throughs create space.

  Ripping through forces the defender to give you space and squares you up to the hoop. This allows you to shoot, dribble, or pass.

• Rip throughs generate momentum.

  When you rip through, the ball's movement and your body's movement help you explode in the direction you’re ripping. This gives you an extra burst to help you beat your defender.

• Rip throughs reduce turnovers.

  When you rip through, you are naturally stronger with the ball. A proper rip through uses your entire body, making you strong with the ball. This eliminates the turnovers that come from catching and holding passively.

Rip Thrus Done Right: 5 Keys To Ripping Thru Effectively

• Make sure the ball is on your hip in a power position (three points of contact with the ball, feet wide, knees bent).

• Lead with your elbow to generate force.

• Rip below the knees or above the head, not across the waist, where the defender’s hands usually are.

• Step across when you rip to protect the ball.

• If attacking, add a long pushout dribble to get by your defender.

3 Simple Ways To Incorporate Rip Thrus Into Your Training

• Stationary rips

  Stand in an athletic stance. Rip the ball from left to right 10x below your knees. Repeat going right to left. Do the same thing above your head. Make sure you are engaging your core to generate force.

  Then add a step. This makes the rip through more game-like. Repeat the same sets and reps, but add a step in the same direction you are ripping the ball. Practice both a cross step (for example, your left foot stepping across as you rip to your right) and an open step (stepping with your right foot as you rip right).

• Start your off the dribble drills with a rip through

  Most players start off the dribble drills with a live dribble. Attacking off a live dribble is an important skill. However, in my 21 years of coaching, I’d say that over 90% of players start more drives off the catch than by breaking their defender down off the dribble.

  Why? Because breaking down a defender off a live dribble is really hard, doing it off a catch and rip is easier. Does your training reflect this reality?

  For instance, if you’re practicing one dribble pull-ups, toss the ball out to yourself on the perimeter to simulate catching a pass. On the catch, rip through and take one hard dribble into your shot. That’s the type of pull-up you’re most likely to get in games.

  The Witchita State Guard Attack Series is a great example of this.

• Play 1v1 off a rip through

  Have a workout partner start on the block. As you sprint up to the wing, they pass and make a good closeout.

  On the catch, you can shoot. If you don’t shoot, you must immediately rip through and attack.

  If you hold the ball, it’s an automatic turnover.

  

  Play from various spots on the floor.

  Mix up catching and ripping, go right and left.

Simple Skill, Big Result

After we identified his problem, Quentin committed to fixing it. Using some of the drills above, he worked on his rip-through daily.

All of a sudden, he went from a player who couldn’t get room to breathe to one who defenders couldn’t stay in front of.

The following year, he made All-Conference. Who knows, maybe mastering this basic fundamental can do the same for you. It’s worth finding out.

These types of game-ready skills are the exact things we work on at our Breakthrough Basketball Camps. No fluff, just stuff that translates directly to games!

Check out our camp schedule to find camps near you!

Gain the Edge to
Stand Out on the Court

Breakthrough Basketball Camps help players improve their skills and decision-making while building the confidence to shine on and off the court. Trusted by over 150,000 players nationwide, our camps provide:

• Experienced coaches who know how to teach every level

• Skill development in shooting, ball handling, and all-around play

• Game-like situations that build confidence under pressure

• A positive, motivating environment parents can feel good about

• Beginner, Youth, and Advanced Camps - Ages 6 to 18

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