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.

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).

Luol Deng Teaches Spin Move

Luol Deng teaches how to spin around the defender correctly, what to pay attention to, and how to finish. He starts by saying: “basketball is a game of reaction.” Have your defender react to your first move to beat him with your counter-move.

1. Have your defender lean to one side.
2. As soon as he leans, spin to the other side.
3. Put the ball away from the defender to protect it.
4. Then, look up towards the basket. See help defenders coming. See you teammates. See if you have a shot for yourself
5. It is not good enough to beat one guy and be happy with it. You have to learn to react to what’s happening next (basketball is still a team game!).
6. Speed is important, but what’s even more important is being smart about it. You have to have your defender lean to one side, then you change speed to beat him.

Behind the Back with Tobin Anderson

Tobin Anderson, from Five Star Basketball Instruction, teaches behind-the-back change of direction move.

1. Step in the direction of the dribble first. Protect the ball with the foot pointing in that direction.
2. Stay low, lower than defender. Too many players go low, then immediately high. You MUST stay low until you’ve beaten your defender.
3. First move, opposite the direction of where we really want to go, should be slow enough for defender to buy it. We want to give the defender time to react.
4. After behind-the-back move, EXPLODE by your defender and brush shoulders to prevent him from recovering. Don’t go wide around him, but go north-south and beat him to the spot.

Half Crossover (In and Out) with Tobin Anderson

Tobin Anderson, from Five Star Basketball Instruction, breaks down in-and-out move (also known as half crossover).

1. Big, hard step with the foot opposite to the hand which handles the ball.
2. Swing the ball in and out with the dribbling hand, have the defender jump to the move.
3. Second step, with the foot on the ball handling side goes by, NOT wide, by the defender.
4. Go low on the first step, the go even LOWER on the second step… until the defender is beaten.
5. Eyes are up all the time to see what the defender is doing, but also to be aware of what’s happening on the court.