How to Become a Scoring Threat Off the Ball

Summary

This basketball tutorial focuses on the art of off-ball movement, drawing insights from Euroleague players. It emphasizes the significance of cutting when the ball is in the post and during ball screens, where defenders are often drawn to the ball or double-teaming, creating open lanes. The video illustrates how to exploit these situations with strategic cuts, the importance of positioning below defenders for better visibility, and the timing of cuts when defenders rotate or help. It concludes by stressing the skill of off-ball movement as crucial as passing and shooting, encouraging viewers to hone this often-overlooked aspect of the game.

Takeaways

• 🏀 Off-ball movement is crucial in basketball, especially when the ball is in the post.
• 👀 Defenders often stare at the ball, creating opportunities for offensive players to make cuts.
• 🔄 When a post player is double-teamed, the defense must rotate, leading to open cuts.
• 🚫 Understanding how to cut when two defenders guard one is key to creating space.
• 🛑 Ball screens often result in defenders getting caught staring at the ball, allowing for easy cuts.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Post players can use screens to create backdoor opportunities for easy baskets.
• 📍 The 45° cut is a common tactic used after a ball screen, especially when the defense is focused on the ball handler.
• 👥 Getting below your defender is essential for making effective cuts and losing the defender's sight.
• 🔄 Following your defender's movement can lead to open opportunities, especially when they rotate to help.
• 🎯 Off-ball screens are just as important for the passer and screener to create scoring chances.
• 🏃‍♂️ Anticipating your defender's help or rotation can lead to easy baskets by cutting to the rim.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to teach viewers about off-ball movement in basketball, specifically by analyzing Euroleague players' techniques.

Why is off-ball movement important when the ball goes into the post?

Off-ball movement is crucial when the ball goes into the post because it can result in either help defense, where two defenders guard one player, or off-ball defenders getting distracted by the ball, creating cutting opportunities.

What is the significance of defenders turning to look at the ball?

When defenders turn to look at the ball, it opens up opportunities for offensive players to make cuts because the defenders lose sight of their man, making it difficult to guard them.

What is the 'Full rotate' mentioned in the script?

The 'Full rotate' refers to a defensive adjustment where defenders scramble to pick up new assignments after a double team or help defense situation, which can lead to open cuts for the offense.

How do back screens set on the wing create opportunities for easy baskets?

Back screens on the wing create opportunities by drawing the help defender's attention, leaving them in no man's land and providing an easy back door cut for a layup.

Why are ball screens a significant area of focus for analyzing cuts?

Ball screens are a significant area of focus because they often result in two defenders guarding one player, which can stress the 'tag defender' to help or risk giving up an open shot.

What is the role of the 'tag defender' in a ball screen?

The 'tag defender' in a ball screen is responsible for rotating over to help or 'tag' the rolling player to prevent easy baskets, which can create open cuts for other offensive players.

What is the purpose of the 45 cut in basketball?

The 45 cut is used to exploit the attention of the top tag defender who is focused on the ball, creating an open angle for a layup by cutting to the basket at a 45-degree angle.

Why is it beneficial for a player to get below their defender?

Getting below the defender is beneficial because it puts the offensive player in a position where the defender cannot see them, making it difficult to guard against cuts.

How can post players take advantage of off-ball movement?

Post players can take advantage of off-ball movement by circling under to the other side of the rim when defenders are focused on the ball, creating back door cuts or easy baskets.

What is the key takeaway for players watching this video?

The key takeaway is to always be aware of and react to the movements of your defender during ball screens, as they will indicate when to make cuts to the basket.

Why is it important for players to follow their defender's movements?

Following a defender's movements is important because reacting to their help or rotation can create opportunities for cutting to the rim for easy baskets.

How can off-ball screens be used to get open for cuts?

Off-ball screens can be used to get open for cuts by slipping to the rim when the screener's defender is focused on preventing a screen or is worried about giving up a three-pointer.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Off-Ball Movement in Basketball

The paragraph discusses the importance of off-ball movement in basketball, particularly focusing on post touches and ball screens. It explains how defenders' attention can be drawn to the ball, creating opportunities for players to make cuts. The video uses examples from Euroleague players to illustrate how post players can exploit a defender's focus on the ball to create space for cuts. It also covers how a double team in the post can lead to a full defensive rotation, leaving other players open. The paragraph emphasizes the need to understand these concepts to improve one's basketball game.

05:02

🔍 Mastering Off-Ball Movement

This paragraph delves deeper into the tactics of off-ball movement, such as getting below the defender to become invisible to their line of sight, which is a strategic move to make a cut. It uses various examples to show how this can be applied in different scenarios, including during ball screens and in transition. The paragraph also discusses the importance of following the defender's movement, capitalizing on their rotation or help to make a cut to the rim. It highlights how post players can take advantage of this by circling under the rim against zone defenses. The advice is to always be aware of the defender's position and anticipate opportunities to cut, whether coming off screens or reacting to the defense's movement.

Keywords

💡Off-ball movement

Off-ball movement refers to the actions taken by players without the ball during a basketball game. It's crucial for creating scoring opportunities and is a key focus of the video. The script explains how watching Euroleague players can provide insights into effective off-ball movement, which can elevate one's game. Examples include cutting when the ball goes into the post or during ball screens.

💡Post touches

Post touches are instances where the ball is passed to a player positioned near the basket. The video script emphasizes the importance of cutting during post touches as it often leads to defenders turning to watch the ball, creating open lanes for other players to move and receive passes.

💡Cutting

Cutting in basketball is the action of moving quickly towards the basket or an open space without the ball. The script describes how cutting can be used effectively during post touches and ball screens, as it can catch defenders off guard and lead to easy scoring opportunities.

💡Double team

A double team in basketball is when two defenders work together to guard a single offensive player, often used when the ball is in the post. The video explains that this can lead to other offensive players being open, as the defense has to scramble to cover the newly open man.

💡Ball screen

A ball screen is an offensive play where a player sets a screen (a pick) for the ball handler. The video script discusses how ball screens can lead to defenders being caught staring at the ball, creating opportunities for off-ball players to make cuts to the basket.

💡Tag Defender

The tag defender is a term used to describe a defender who is responsible for helping out on a play, such as when a ball screen is set. The video script explains how the movement of the tag defender can be used by offensive players to make cuts to the basket.

💡45 cut

A 45 cut is a specific type of off-ball movement where a player cuts at a 45-degree angle towards the basket, often from the wing or slot position. The video script uses this term to illustrate how players can exploit the attention of defenders focused on the ball handler or the roll man during a ball screen.

💡Screening

Screening, or setting a pick, is an offensive tactic where a player blocks the path of a defender to create space for a teammate. The video script mentions how screening can be combined with post touches to create opportunities for easy baskets.

💡Help Defender

The help defender is a player who leaves their original assignment to assist a teammate in guarding an offensive player, typically in response to a drive or a post move. The video script explains how the actions of the help defender can create open lanes for other offensive players to cut.

💡Back door

A back door cut is an offensive move where a player, often a shooter, cuts towards the basket from the perimeter, aiming to receive a pass for a layup. The video script highlights how players can use the fear of giving up a three-pointer to slip past defenders for a back door cut.

💡Offensive player

An offensive player is a member of the team with possession of the ball, trying to score. The video script uses the term to discuss how these players can use off-ball movement to create scoring opportunities, such as by cutting when their defender is focused on the ball or helping on another play.

Highlights

Importance of off-ball movement in basketball

Learning from Euroleague players' off-ball movement

Cutting opportunities during post touches

Defenders turning to look at the ball creates open cuts

Double-teaming post leads to full defensive rotation and open cuts

Use of screens to create off-ball opportunities

Back screen set on the wing to exploit help defenders

Ball screens causing two defenders to guard one player

Understanding the role of tag defenders in ball screens

Cuts originating from the corner opposite the ball screen

45° cut as an effective off-ball movement

Cleared side ball screens for optimal cutting opportunities

The significance of getting below your defender

Anticipating and following your defender's help rotations

Post players using off-ball movement against zone defenses

Off-ball screens as a tool for creating cutting opportunities

The necessity of being engaged off the ball

Cutting off the ball is as crucial as passing and shooting

Transcripts

hey guys welcome back to the film room

we're covering such an important topic

in this video of how to move off the

basketball and what a better place to do

it than watching some of the best

off-ball movement in the game of

basketball with Euroleague there's so

many tips and tricks that you can pick

up from watching these guys play that

will elevate your game so let's jump

right into it the place we're going to

start is with post touches and the

reason why is because most people know

that when the ball goes into the post

that's when cutting is is really

important and the reason why is because

on post touches you're typically either

going to get somebody to help so two

people are guarding one or you're going

to get an off-ball Defender to get

caught staring at the basketball so

let's talk about why those two things

are so important just by the nature of

where the post player is at when the

ball goes in you're naturally going to

get Defenders turning and staring at the

basketball now the reason that one small

thing is so important is because when

your Defender turns and looks at the

ball that's going to open up

opportunities for you to cut and he has

no idea where you're at and the other

thing we talked about was when two

people guard one this typically happens

when someone goes to double team or fire

on the post and now the ball can get

thrown out where the double team came

from and as soon as that happens the

defense has to do something called Full

rotate which means they have to scramble

and pick up a new man and that's where

Cuts Like These end up being wide open

and these guys have such an elite

understanding of this that they do

little things that you might not even

notice watch how he looks over to the

left as he's passing it just to pull

number 10 a little bit further over to

open up this passing angle and once you

add screening into all of this it really

creates opportunities for you to get

easy buckets as the ball gets thrown

into the post you're going to see this

back screen set on the wing and what the

post player is looking at is this help

Defender right here who gets caught

staring in no man's land and gives up

this easy back door for a layup but

where we're going to spend a lot of our

time is with ball screen

notice how in a ball screen the same

thing happens you get two people

guarding one and you get off ball

Defenders that get caught staring at the

ball now we're going to spend a lot of

our time in ball screens because it's

where the majority of Great Cuts take

place when two people guard one and that

big slips out or rolls to the rim it

puts a lot of stress on this person

right here who's known as a tag Defender

to come over and help or they're going

to give up an open shot this concept is

the primary source of the majority of

offense that you see in Euroleague the

NBA and even in college so if you're

watching this and thinking I see this

happen all the time it's because this is

the way the majority of the World plays

basketball now so for us to have a good

understanding of how to cut and when to

cut we have to understand ball screens

when you run a pick and roll and force

two people to guard one there are these

Defenders back here known as tag

Defenders that are responsible for

making sure the role man doesn't get

easy layups and the way that they're

taught to do this is anytime the ball

gets thrown to the roll man they need to

rotate over or tag the roll man to make

sure that he doesn't get a shot but as

soon as they do that that creates these

opportunities for you to cut to the

basket so you'll see this exact same

situation happen in full speed in this

clip so anytime you're standing in the

corner opposite of a ball screen you

need to be prepared for this notice how

when he comes off of this step up both

of these tag Defenders are locked in on

this man rolling to the rim and the low

tag has no idea that his man is cutting

to the rim for an alleyoop and by the

time you finish this video and the more

you watch basketball you're going to see

this happen all the time watch on this

step up ball screen that both of these

tag Defenders are completely locked into

the ball in the rollman and they never

see this corner cut the ball handler

ends up throwing it to the wing but the

cut is still open and it's not just the

corner man that's able to cut to the rim

a lot of you have heard the term 45 cut

it comes from situations like this this

step up ball screen and this top tag man

is staring at the ball and you're going

to get this 45° angled cut that ends up

being a wide open layup and typically

the best time to 45 cut from the wing or

the slot is during a cleared side ball

screen and that's where there's no one

in the strong side corner you can see

the big man is rolling and the low tag

is coming up to help so this backside

plug Defender is responsible for two

people and as he sinks to the Baseline

that 45 Cuts wide open so as working on

getting better at this timing is

everything as he comes off this middle

ball screen both of these Defenders are

focused in on this rle man and the 45

cut actually Loops underneath the rim

and nobody even sees him so here's the

biggest key takeaway that you should get

from this video anytime there is a ball

screen happening and you are opposite

the ball in the perimeter get your eyes

to your Defender because they're going

to tell you exactly what you're supposed

to do and we're going to break that down

into two parts part number one is you

need to get below your Defender what I

mean by that is this look at the

defender in the corner on the top side

if you were to draw a line through his

feet this is where he's at and the

offensive player is below the defender

line and the reason that's important is

because of what we already learned that

when you're below the defender they

can't see you and it's really hard to

guard someone that you can't see and

that isn't just for ball screens that's

in any situation anytime that you can

get below your Defender it's a great

opportunity to cut because they lose

vision of you so you need to be mindful

of this all the time when you're on the

court look at this topside corner he is

below his man and on this drive if he

were to cut Baseline he'd be wide open

but as soon as the ball handler spins

and number seven stares at the

basketball this 45 cut is wide open

because he got behind his Defender and

this will work in transition as well now

most wings are taught to run to the

corner which I believe in but as soon as

he recognizes is that this Defender is

staring at the ball and he gets below

him he just breaks it off cuts to the

rim and again another easy layup here

are a few more examples of guys just

getting below their Defender and making

Great Cuts to the

[Music]

rim

and post players you're able to take

advantage of this as well on middle

drives when you're in the room or the

dunker or short corner you can Circle

under to the other side of the rim and

it's the same concept as getting below

your Defender and this will work against

zone defense as well specifically

against two3 Zone often times these Wing

Defenders get caught staring uphill and

so this is your back door or cutting

area and the most ideal time to do it is

on dribble penetration or if the ball

hits the high post the second part is to

follow your Defender anytime that your

Defender decides to go and help or

rotate if you're able to react to his

movement by cutting to the rim right as

he leaves that's going to open up

opportunities so as soon as this

Defender goes to help at the high post

follow him by cutting to the rim and

that opens up these looks and this is

why you have to be engaged off the ball

as this stepup screen happens in front

of you focus on this top Wing or slot

area

as soon as the defender rotates to help

on the pick and roll the offensive

player literally follows him right to

the rim for a lamp and this same

principle works on post touches as the

ball gets thrown into the post notice on

the Flight of the ball this big is

rotating and as matchup just follows him

and runs straight to the rim and that's

what opens up this dunk so again keep

your eyes on your matchup you'll see

right here that there's a ball screen

that's being set at the top and this big

is going to set a flare screen for his

man into the corner but as soon as his

Defender goes to help he literally

follows right behind him and gets this

wide open dunk and this works for post

players really well because typically

your matchup is a rim protector so as

soon as somebody drives to the basket

your guy is usually going over to stop

him and if you can anticipate it you're

going to get really easy buckets but you

do have to have some feel on this read

here's a good example on this ball

screen when the big slips this bottom

tag is going to rotate over and help now

if you're in the corner and you're a

really good shooter maybe you stay to

get a catch and shoot three or if you

feel like your man is late on the tag

and he's going to get an easy dunk you

can stay put now the last area we have

to cover is off ball screens because

it's equally as important to start with

if you're the passer in these situations

you should always get your eyes to the

screener Defender because if they don't

help and a good screen is set that's

what actually opens up these cuts and if

you're the guy coming off the screen you

should always be looking for opportun

unities to slip to the rim so here's a

down screen being set for a good shooter

and this Defender is worried about

getting hit on this screen and giving up

a three and because Marco knows that he

uses it against the defender and slips

to the basket and gets an easy layup and

banelli is masterful at doing this he

knows his Defender is so afraid of him

coming off of a screen to get a three

that he's always looking for these

opportunities to back door and his

teammates know he's going to do it as

well here's a few more clips of guys

using off ball screens to get open on

these cuts to the

[Music]

basket cutting off the ball is as much

of skill as passing and shooting it

takes a lot of practice please don't

fall into the Trap of thinking you're

only effective offensively with the ball

in your hands thanks for coming through

we'll see you next time in the film room