Playing Without the Ball

There is only 1 ball and 5 players. Everything being equal, that would mean each player would have the ball 20% of the time when their team is on offense. However, we all know that things are not equal. Generally, guards have the ball more than forwards, and forwards have the ball more than the post players. But, suffice it to say, most players play more time on offense without the ball than with the ball. Teaching players on how to play without the ball is often overlooked and under taught.

So what are players doing when they don’t have the ball in their hands?

• They fill lanes to run on the break.
• They cut.
• They set screens, or they come off screens.
• They could be posting up.

Hopefully, they are not just standing around. There is not a lot to say to a player who is standing still, other than to tell the player to be prepared to move or to receive a pass, like in a spot-up situation. When a player is waiting to receive a pass, they should be ready to catch the ball and get into the Triple Threat position as quickly as possible. Ideally, this should happen simultaneously upon the catch with the player ready to shoot, pass or dribble. Sometimes this does not happen due to the good defense, or the offense not being ready, or the pass being inaccurate.

When a player is standing still, it is pretty easy to be ready to catch a pass, though many times they are not. When a player is moving it is more difficult to be ready quickly. As a player moves (with or without the ball) it is very important to be able to stop on balance, whether it is to go straight into a shot, or to get into the Triple Threat position.

Receiving a Pass

Generally, stopping on balance is accomplished by planting one foot and bringing the other foot into proper position by “slapping” the floor with the second foot at approximately a 60% degree angle. This angling of the second foot provides an additional brace for stopping and allows the player to square up quickly, and on balance. As the first foot makes contact with the floor, the player’s center of gravity is lowered by flexing the knees and lowering the buttocks. I do not think players should come to a stop by landing on 2 feet. I think it is too easy to lose one’s balance coming to a jump stop this way. The exception to that is if a player is around the basket. Then, I think a jump stop can be advantageous .

Receiving a Pass on Fast-Break

If a player is running and sprinting up the floor, on a wing, they should try to stop by planting the inside foot (the foot closest to the basket) and bringing the other foot up, “slapping” the floor with it, and squaring up his body to the basket. Ideally, they square up simultaneous with the catch, leaving both feet as a potential pivot foot. As the player catches the ball, they should be in a Triple Threat position, or get into it quickly.

Using an example to clarify, if a player is running on the right wing (facing the basket), as they catch the ball, they should plant their left foot (inside foot), and square up with their right foot (outside foot ).

Receiving a pass out on the floor

A player comes out onto the floor, either on their own or coming off a screen by a teammate, and as they come towards the ball, in anticipation of in an open shot opportunity, the player wants to catch ball on the balance and ready to go into a shot. The player does that by planting their inside foot, and squaring up with their outside foot with their legs flexed, on balance, ready to go right into a shot, or a dribble drive.

If a player doesn’t use proper foot and leg work, as they catch, they may be off-balance. Being off-balance, often leads to an off balance shot or a turnover. Or, they will have to take time to get on balance, which could lead to a lost shot opportunity.

Using an example to clarify, if a player is coming out from the baseline to the right wing, as the player catches the ball, they should stop by planting their right foot and swinging their left foot around, “slapping” the floor with it as they square up to the basket.