Spin Move by Paul Pierce

If you want to learn a particular move, watch the best. Here’s a spin move by Paul Pierce from Game 6 agains the Pistons during Playoffs 2008. This may be Paul’s signature move, or one of two-three moves that he relies upon late in the games. Pay attention to his body balance and footwork, but also the finish. Also, notice how, in the middle of his spin, Pierce suddenly raises the ball to avoid being stripped or blocked.

Steve Nash On the Art of Passing

Steve’s guidelines for different types of passes and what is important to become a great passer:

• Chest pass: Always be on balance and put a back spin on the ball.
• Bounce pass: Ball needs to go half way and a third of the way to the teammate.
• Alley oop: Right timing and throw it in the air so that it comes down soft.
• No-look pass: Behind the back pass just to create an angle. With behind the back pass you get the same efficiency as with chest pass without the need to spin around.
• In one-on-one situations you need to be a scoring threat – that opens up space to your teammates.
• The most important weapon is to be able to pass with the left hand and with the right hand.

Dwight Howard Teaches Rebounding

• You always have to find your man and box out. Make contact, get low, and drive him out. Use your hands too.
• Always be ready and look for the ball off the rim.
• Will and effort to go and get every rebound possible.
• When you get a rebound, secure the ball tightly from the little guys trying to steal it. Pivot out opposite from where the rim is.
• Breaking the box-out. Tap the guy in front on either side of the body and go quickly to the opposite side. Sometimes, you can spin off him to get into position. Another move to use is SWIM move. Dwight explains how to do it.
• Be aware where the shooter is shooting from. The ball is likely to go to the opposite side of the rim.
• It’s all about the WILL and hard WORK.

Emeka Okafor Teaches Shot Blocking

Emeka points out the most important skills to be a great shot blocker.

• Timing. You are blocking as soon as the ball leaves the scorer’s hand.
• Body control. You don’t want to block the shot and give a foul. You want to be on your feet as long as needed, don’t go for the head fakes, have PATIENCE!
• The real job of the shot blocker is to ALTER shots, not block them in the first place. You want to project certain awareness to the opposing team that you are somewhere near to force them to alter the way they shoot. As long as the person misses it, the shot blocker has done the job.
• It is much more difficult to block your own guy’s shot as compared to weak side defense. With your own guy is aware of you and will try to create space. Not a lot of body contact is allowed.
• The most difficult shot to block is one-on-one fast break. The timing has to be especially right because you typically have a smaller guard coming at you.
• How hard you want to block the shot? Most times you want to just tip it to yourself or your teammate. There are times, though, when you want to block it as hard as possible, because you want to intimidate and send the message across.

Shane Battier Teaches How to Take a Charge

Things a player needs to be a great charge taker:

• You have a great vision. You have to know where basketball is on the court at all times.
• You need great anticipation. You have to know in a split second whether the player going to the hoop is out of control.
• You need courage. They hurt as much as it looks on TV.
• Awareness is important. If your feet are backwards just a couple of inches – it’s a foul, not a charge.
• You need to beat the player to the spot, put yourself into square stance, then go down and slide on the floor (use the sweat on your back).