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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.

Comments

3/12/2009 2:20:01 PM
Deezy said:

dis move is mad nasty cuz. i tride it onmy homboy and he couldnt stop me!!! mad props

4/30/2009 3:38:19 AM
Fredd said:

dis da move dat my coach made me do all da time in da games and it worked every time

11/9/2009 11:27:52 AM
MEKO said:

you were right i read this 2 days ago and the next day at the court i tryed it and was rocking everyone that was man enouf to hold me.that move to is my bread and butta thinks

11/9/2009 7:11:05 PM
Brian said:

no problem. break ankles with caution. lol

2/22/2010 6:10:29 PM
John Davidson said:

Hey I just wanted to know what you meant by toe tap, and is the first right step initiated by crossover dribble, or do the steps begin after the soft cross from left to right. I'm seeing it as slight step right, tap the same right foot in the same place, push of the left and explode. Is this correct?

2/23/2010 8:21:14 AM
Brian said:

The toe tap is done during the soft left to right crossover. The toe tap makes the defense think that you've come to a stop, after the toe tap, explode off your left foot, dip your shoulder, and take it strong to the rim.

2/28/2010 3:27:05 AM
John Davidson said:

Thanks alot. This helped me alot. One question though, other stutter step tutorials mentioned taking more: "left, right,left, right making a rat-tat-tat sound". Is it better to take more or stick to the toe tap? Thanks again for helping me out.

3/1/2010 4:12:19 PM
Brian said:

I can just go based on what's made me successful. This move more than any other has allowed me to break down defenders. Think of the toe tap as just a half extension of your right leg. As you cross over from left to right, your right foot is going to extend out to a natural position. What your doing is just cutting that short, so that the defense thinks that you've stopped. By cutting the extension short, you're also allowing you plenty of room to still explode off of your left foot, creating the quickness needed to get by the defender. The left to right crossover happens, a quick toe tap as the ball reaches it's peak in your right hand, then explode, dip the shoulder, and reap the reward of an open lane. GL

3/6/2010 1:51:17 PM
John Davidson said:

Thanks a lot. Works great.

3/8/2010 8:37:59 AM
Brian said:

No problem

5/21/2010 7:49:37 AM
Kyle Pilapil said:

woah works perfect thanks

5/21/2010 10:12:07 PM
Brian said:

good to hear kyle

6/19/2010 4:51:31 AM
hany tolba said:

this beateful Thanks

11/20/2010 3:28:51 PM
gaurang said:

i completely dont get this move

11/22/2010 11:30:04 AM
Brian said:

Alot of people have asked for an instructional video. There might be one in the works. Just keep your eye out.

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