(1) Q: What series of deceptions are possible when in triple threat before the dribble? 

A: Since in 1v1 our options are either to shoot or dribble, we can “fake” shoot (usually called a shot fake) or “fake” dribble drive (usually called a jab step) in order to deceive our defender.

(2) Q: What is the purpose of the shot fake? 

A: Faking a shot will make the on-ball defender believe you are shooting, forcing the defender to come closer to you to block/contest your shot. As they are moving closer to you, or coming higher up out of their defensive stance (even jumping) to contest the shot, you can then dribble past them (to the right or the left) to get closer to the hoop and create space.

(3) Q: What does a good shot fake entail? 

A: Generally, a good shot fake is one that mimics your normal shot; if the shot fake isn’t believable, the defender will know you are not shooting and not react accordingly. (Note: we have not worked on shooting yet, which we will in later sections; however you can use whatever shooting form you are comfortable with at this point from the triple threat position). Generally, a good shot fake involves: 

  • Legs/lower body: staying low/legs bent; this allows you to still have triple threat options after the fake

  • Arms: moving your arms in your normal shooting motion to a point before you would normally release your guide hand from the ball (usually up to at least the face area)

  • Eyes: looking towards the hoop as you would during a normal shot; a tendency is for players to not look at the hoop while shot faking, which informs the defense you aren’t actually shooting. 

  • Pace: perform your shot fake at the same pace as your normal shot; a tendency is to fake too quickly/fast, which does not allow the defense enough time to react.

(4) What if the defender does not react to my proper shot fake? 

A: If you properly mimic your normal shot in your shot fake and the defense does not react, this means you may be able to actually shoot the ball without the defense contesting your shot. The shot fake almost acts as a “test” to see what the defense will respond to; this is called reading your defender to see how they will react.

(5) What is the purpose of the jab step (dribble drive fake)

A: Faking a dribble drive will make the defender believe you will be dribble driving in a certain direction (usually either to the right or the left towards the hoop, since the defender will normally be in front of you), forcing the defender to move in the direction of your jab step. As they are moving in the direction you initiated your fake to, you can then either dribble in the opposite direction (e.g. jab right, dribble left), or return to your starting position for a shot with more space.

(6) Q: What does a good jab step entail? 

A: Similar to a good shot fake, a good jab step generally is one that mimics a normal dribble drive; if the jab step isn’t believable, the defender will know you are not dribble driving and not react accordingly. Generally, a good jab step involves:

  • Legs/Feet: using your non-pivot/lead foot to step-through in the direction you are faking, putting the weight on the balls of your lead foot (heal off the ground so you can move the lead foot quickly). The direction of your jab step is usually the same side as your lead foot (it is usually difficult to jab step in the other direction). 

  • Arms: rip-through in the direction of your jab step. 

  • Eyes: you will usually look in the direction you are jabbing. 

  • Pace: move at a pace similar to your normal dribble drive

(7) Q: What if the defense does not react to my proper jab step? 

A: If the defense does not react strongly to the direction you are faking, this tells you that if you do in fact dribble in that direction, the defense wont move a lot, so you can dribble past them. This again is reading your defender, testing them to see what they will do.

(8) Q: Is it possible to use combinations of shot fakes and jab steps? 

Yes, this can help deceive the defender even more, keeping them off-balance. However you do not need to use too many shot fakes or jab steps; usually only one or two will help you read how the defender will react.

Skills Drills

Skills Drill #1: Shot Fakes 

Each player has a ball. Each player will practice proper shot fakes with no defense (approximately 10 repetitions, or until the form is correct).

Skills Drill #2: Jab Steps 

Same as Skills Drill #1, except each player will practice proper jab steps, utilizing both lead foots.

Skills Drill #3: Combo: Shot Fakes + Jab Steps

Same as Skills Drill #2, except each player will use combinations of shot fakes and jab steps.

Skills Drill #4: Combo: Rip throughs, step throughs, shot fakes, jab steps 

Same as Skills Drill #3, except each player will use combinations of rip-throughs, step-throughs, shot fakes, and jab steps. Once the form is correct with no defense, add a defender.

The defender will play light defense for 5 seconds. Once completed successfully, the defender will then play intermediate defense for 5 seconds, then intense defense (with light fouling) for 5 seconds. Then switch the offensive player and defensive player.