Stutter Step

This is my bread-n-butter move. I have gotten by many defenders over the years with the Stutter Step. If mastered, it is extremely deadly, also setting youself up for the various counter moves you can use once done successfully. The key to the move is the "set-up". Usually if going to the right, I will use a soft between-the-legs crossover from left to right to set-up the Stutter Step. The goal of this set-up dribble is simply to make the defender think you have no intention of going North-South with the dribble. He relaxes, becomes flat-footed for that brief moment when he thinks he has you contained, then you explode by him. Timing is important, the set-up is important, and obviously the execution is also important.

Here is a breakdown going to the right: As you go from left to right with your set-up dribble, your head-n-shoulders should "square-up", much like the hesitation dribble, you are selling to the defender that you have come to a stop. Once the ball is crossed over to your right hand, the right foot extends forward slightly, but not completely. You need to save room for the explosion you are about to unleash. What I do, is a quick "toe-tap", before fully extending the right foot passed the defender, pushing off the left foot, which has created a North-South explosion point. While the toe tap is occuring, the ball is reaching it's max height in my right hand, making it appear as though my dribble is stopped. That is when you explode off the left foot, get your left shoulder around the defender, and explode to the rim. Again, timing is everything. Practice this move, getting the set-up, the head-and-shoulders, and the eventual explosion by the defender timed perfectly. You will have one EXPLOSIVE first step if you do.