Making The Stand-Still Fake

To execute the stand-still fake, start at the midcourt line.  You want to appear relaxed and uninvolved in the action.  Turn your body away from the action slowly.  While you are on the floor, you are paying close attention to everything.  You are just waiting for the right moment to make your cut.  When you are ready, sprint forward to the top of the key and come back to midcourt.  Repeat the fake four times and vary your timing and speed.

To make the step-away fake: This fake works well in tandem with the stand-still fake.  Start at the midcourt line and take several slow steps in the opposite direction that you plan to cut to.  Now, cut forward to the top of  the key.  Repeat this drill four times.  

Making the Cut Off of a Pick

In this drill, there will be two offensive players and one defensive player.  The cutter and the defense line up under the basket on the right side.  The defense stands right beside the offense.  The pick is set up at the right side highpost.  The cutter runs by the pick in the same direction that the pick faces.  You are cutting out for the ball. You want to rub or bang shoulders with the pick as you pass by so that the defense does not slide in between the cutter and the pick.  Run the drill with both offense and defense moving at medium speed.  Repeat the drill four times on one side and switch sides.

Making the Step-Behind Fake

The step-behind fake is used to try and let the defense forget about you.  There is one offensive player and one defensive player in this drill.  The offense start beside the defense down near the basket.  The offensive player takes a step behind the defense.  When the defense turns to look, the offensive player sprints forward to the top of the key.  Repeat this drill four times.

Faking and Cutting to the Ball

You begin with two players five yards apart.  The receiver begins by a using a fake and then cutting to the ball.  The passer throws an overhead pass after the fake at the start of the actual cut.  The receiver has their arms outstretched and hands ready to catch the ball.  The receiver catches the ball, takes two steps and stops moving.  Repeat this drill four times. Now, have the receiver alternate their pivot foot.

The 3-Second Drill

This three second drill will help improve your basketball skills.

You begin by having two players stand on each side of the lane.  Have the receiver stand on the right side and the passer stand on the left side.  As the receiver steps into the lane, they should count out loud so that they can be heard: "One, Two, Out."  As the receiver says "Out," they are to step out of the lane.  The receiver should jump into the lane ready to catch the pass.  The passer should pass the ball before the receiver moves out of the lane.  If the ball arrives after the receiver jumps out of the lane, the players have to repeat the drill.  This drill should be done three times and then you should switch sides.

Moving To the Ball

Moving to the ball is crucial in any game. Practice this drill to improve your technique. Begin with two players five feet apart.  The receiver runs slowly and directly toward the passer.  The passer throws the ball or rolls the ball directly toward the receiver.  The receiver jumps to arrange their feet before grabbing the ball.  The receiver must grab the ball first and then slow down.  The first foot down is the pivot foot and the second foot is used to stop your momentum.  Pass the ball back to the passer.  Repeat the drill four times with each foot.

This next drill will teach you how to effectively jump to the ball.

You begin with two players five feet apart.  The passer begins by faking an overhead pass and throwing one.  The receiver stands sideways with the foot closest to the ball being the pivot foot.  The fake is a signal to the receiver to pivot around and forward.  The receiver then moves their back foot ahead of their pivot foot and jumps toward the passer as far as possible with their arms outstretched and ready to receive the ball.  The receiver should catch the ball before landing.  The receiver should change the side that they are facing after three catches.

Proper Foot Position When You Catch the Ball

This drill will teach you the proper foot position when you catch a basketball:

Begin with two players about five feet apart.  Start from a standing position with your right foot forward.  Your hands should be ready to receive the ball and your arms should be outstretched.  From this position, take a short jump in the air just before you catch the ball.  You want to catch the ball while you in the air.  Your landing should be on your pivot foot (backfoot) first.  Catch the ball and pass it back to the passer.  Repeat the drill three times with the right foot forward.  Switch to your left foot as your lead foot and repeat the drill.

Where should your foot be when grabbing the ball from your left or right?

Begin with two players five feet apart.  The passer rolls the ball on the ground three yards to your right.  The receiver goes after the ball.  Before picking the ball up, the receiver jumps up slightly to arrange their feet in the proper order.  This time you want to land on the front foot first and then bring the back foot down.  Repeat this with each pivot foot three times.

Quick Pivots

When you are wanting to make quick pivots or fast cuts, and keep your balance at the same time, it is important to keep on the balls of your feet. Since you have to be on the balls of your feet to move anyway, by playing on them, you will make your move more quickly.

Balance

Balance is one of the most important things to remember in the game of basketball. To have good physical balance you should have a wide base of support by keeping your feet at least shoulder width apart. A good bend at the knees and the waist will also help. Now, try to keep your head just above the midpoint between both feet . In this position you have the most physical balance possible.

How To Pivot

The pivot is a fundamental skill that can get a player relief from pressure defense, and can be a great skill to have to begin an offensive move. To pivot, turn on the ball of your foot. Once you choose your pivot foot, it must maintain contact with the ground until you dribble, shoot or pass. (You can go airborne to shoot or pass) If your pivot foot moves and you do not dribble, shoot or pass, it is a violation called traveling, and the ball is awarded to the other team. A reverse or back pivot is when you turn backwards and when you turn forwards it is called a forward or front pivot.

V-Cut

A "V-Cut" will help you get away from your defender to catch a pass. To make a V-Cut you should take a couple of steps in one direction, and while your feet are a little closer together,plant your foot, and QUICKLY push off in the other direction with a BIG step to get away from the defense.

L-Cut

When executing an "L-Cut" you start at the block on the edge of the free throw lane and walk your defender up the side of the lane. When your teammate is ready to deliver the pass you step into the defender, make contact, and change speeds quickly by pushing off of your inside foot to pop out to the wing.

Positive footwork

Once you have recieved a pass and faced the basket, you have probably established a pivot foot. That foot may no longer move until the ball leaves your hand when you dribble. POSITIVE FOOTWORK is a term that describes your "free" foot. Regardless of the manner in which you square up, your free foot should remain slightly in front of your pivot foot. This allows the offensive player to remain in charge and gives the ability to attack the defender. A player should not allow the free foot to end up in a position BEHIND the pivot foot, as this will give the defender an opportunity to apply pressure and "belly up" to the ballhandler, putting the ballhandler on his back foot and retreating from the basket.
Once a foot is free, that is the only foot that the player can fake or step with. "The foot that moves is the foot that goes!"