Offensive Basketball Moves

Offensive basketball moves help in scoring baskets and open shots against the opposing team. These moves can be categorized as outside and inside moves, which a player performs on the perimeter and post respectively. While practicing, the player should keep his feet apart at a shoulder width distance, body must be low, hands raised at the chest level and close to the body. If the player is right-handed, he should keep the ball to his right and vice versa.

Types of Offenses in Basketball

The different types of offenses are as follows:

• Free Form Offense: It includes motion and passing game offenses. While practicing, the coach should not only stress on the rules, but should be able to explain to his players that why these offenses are practiced. Players must have a clear idea of who the shooters, penetrators and passers are. They should understand their roles, teammates roles, and play together to strengthen the team spirit. Free form offense is adaptable but difficult to play as it is unpredictable.
• Continuity Offense: It includes the flex and shuffle offense. This offense can wear down defenses, run the clock down and can get shooters into different areas to get their shots. It is effective especially when there is no shot clock. This pattern can be continued until the opponent team breaks down.
• Called Play Offense: This offense has a definitive entry and end. It has an end objective with multiple scoring options on the way to that end. A player has to handle the ball only in those areas where he can be effective. Due to the large number of predetermined passes and cuts, players require dedication and practice. UCLA High-Low Post is an example of called play offense.
• Quick Hitter Offense: It involves one or two passes and a cut which should be accurate and precise. It contains a large number of individual plays. Quick hitter offense is used mainly in combination with a shot clock.
• Zone Offense: Its attributes are quite similar to the man offense, but in zone offense you attack specific areas, whereas in man offense you attack the players. Cuts are not as important as positioning and spacing. It comprises of a wing outlet, a post outlet, a reversal outlet and an opposite outlet.

Basketball Offensive Moves

The type of offense you choose should not only be beneficial for your personnel, but something you are comfortable with. The different types of offensive moves are:

• The Drive: The drive is one of the most basic moves of offensive basketball. It's a swift move made by the player towards the hoop by by-passing the defender. After the drive, the player should concentrate on the shot as he'll be congested by other players. If he can't get his shot off, he should pass the ball to a teammate who is at a better scoring position. The opposing defender can back up if the drive is frequently used and the player will lose any advantage over the defender. If this happens, the player can get his drive back by using the outside shot.
• The Jab Step: Depending upon the defensive player's reaction, a player can go for a jab step which can be a drive or jump shot. While making a jab step, the player's first step should not be very long. He should keep himself in a crouch position with his knees bent. This will give him more power to make a drive or jump shot.
• The Rocker Step: It's a quick head-and-shoulder fake, begins with the jab step and used to set up a drive. The player should stand in a proper basketball position with the ball in his hands at his waist level. By taking short, hard steps, he should move towards the defensive player and fake the dribble by bringing the ball down outside his knee. When the defensive player moves towards him, he should drive past him by using the same jab foot.
• The Crossover Step: The crossover step is mainly used when the defensive player tries to overplay the opponent to his strong side. To make a crossover step in the left direction, the player should take a short, hard jab step with his right foot towards the defensive player. Then, by taking a long step, he should cross it over the outside of the defender's right foot. He should move his leg by cutting off the defender's shoulder and swing the ball from his right to left. Finally, he has to push the ball out behind the defender with his left hand and should make sure that the ball passes the defender's hips. By reversing these steps the player can make the crossover step towards the right side.
• Step-through Move: While executing this move, the player should make a one-count stop and a fake jump shot. While moving towards the left, he should take a quick step to the side of the defender with his right foot and proceed towards the hoop.
• Live Ball Move: This move starts from the triple-threat position and enables the player to move in any direction either to dribble, pass or shoot. It attacks the front foot of the defender and directs the player towards the hoop.
• Dead Ball Move: It is an important move and performed at the end of the dribble, when the player is within the shooting range.

Offensive moves can be used in different ways and in different situations to outfox the opponent. While performing these offensive moves, it's important to maintain a crouched position, otherwise you will lose the power and quickness which makes these moves effective and accurate.