5 WAYS TO GET OPEN FOR SHOTS 🏀
The best players can make shots seemingly with defenders draped all over them. They manage to do this because they create enough space to attempt and unimpeded shot. Below or five techniques that may be used by players to create the space to score when needed.
MOVE
Be advised, Defenders routinely lose sight of their assignments, slack off, stop guarding, or simply 'cherry pick' for easy baskets when they should be focused on defense. In addition, many competitors are poorly conditioned, so late in games the well conditioned athletes that keep moving can take advantage of them. Just like cars, their defenders 'run out of gas' chasing them, and are unable to adequately defend in the clutch at the end of games.
CHANGE OF PACE
When using the change of pace method an offensive player can be in motion, ala Steph Curry. They can then stop on a dime, go in another direction, and receive the basketball for an open shot. The same player could also trot for several steps, then take off in a full sprint and receive a pass for an uncontested layup. These are but two of the various ways pace can be altered for an offensive advantage. The more aggressive the defender is the more susceptible they are to being beaten with random change of pace maneuvers.
BASKET CUTS
Basket cuts can be done in various manners. A player can run behind a defender towards the basket in order to receive the basketball for a layup. This is called a "back door cut". Further, a player can run in one direction, making an abrupt stop, and then sprint in the opposite direction at an unspecified angle for an easy ball reception from a teammate. This is referred to as a "v cut". V cuts are hard to defend because opponents can only react to open court movements, thus limiting their defensive effectiveness. Scorers must be aware of their teammates with the ball, and continually place themselves in a position to receive a pass.
SET PICKS
By consistently screening for teammates high IQ players also set themselves up for opportunities to get open and often uncontested shots. This can occur in two ways; after a pic is used, the screener can pivot or 'roll' to the towards the basket for a return pass and potential bucket; or during the screen his defender may get caught 'cheating' or attempting to double team the ball handler. The double teamed ball handler need only pass the ball to the screener for an open shot or drive to the basket. Each technique can happen at a moment's notice once teammates develop chemistry. Teammates wise enough to appreciate the subtle effectiveness of these moves should immediately add them to their repertoires.
USE PICKS
One of the simplest ways to get open shots is to use pics, or screens. Every player knows of them but they are not used nearly enough in today's game. Furthermore, double pics and down screens seem to be a thing of the past. These pics require patience and selflessness, but they are extremely effective when utilized.
Please note, there is an established process of setting pics that succeeds like clockwork. First, make eye contact with the screening teammate. Although non-verbal, this type of communication works well and it's not easily noticed by most offenders. Next, the potential scorer should run past the screener as closely as possible. If a defender is not allowed enough room to go over the screen then he has only two other options; go below it or follow the player and be out of preferred defensive position. This creates the desired space needed for the offensive player to receive the ball and shoot an uncontested shot, which is the objective.
These strategies work extremely well and can be done consistently without fear of failure. In fact, players that want to be high scorers can use these five techniques interchangeably every game and achieve consistent success.
* Hopefully, you like these tips and see their potential effectiveness if added to your game. These and several more 'high powered' techniques are contained within the pages of How To Get Buckets. The players that are not afraid to read will benefit ENORMOUSLY by getting a copy. For more information click the link below.
