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We find that a lot of players are inconsistent on drives with their decision making and reads.
We also find that most players don’t know what to look for while driving…
So what exactly should they be looking for?
Time for a thread
We also find that most players don’t know what to look for while driving…
So what exactly should they be looking for?
Time for a thread
1/ Give them a cue!
Our brain builds instincts based on the visual cues around us. Once we know what to look for and gain experience seeing it, the reaction becomes a reflex.
Here is the cue we use to teach decision making on drives… Chest/Shoulder reads
Our brain builds instincts based on the visual cues around us. Once we know what to look for and gain experience seeing it, the reaction becomes a reflex.
Here is the cue we use to teach decision making on drives… Chest/Shoulder reads
2/ A/B decisions
Chest/Shoulder reads break down what players are looking for on drives into an easy to digest & understand package. If A is in front of you… do this — if B is in front of you, do that. This is why players can master it quickly once they know what to look for.
Chest/Shoulder reads break down what players are looking for on drives into an easy to digest & understand package. If A is in front of you… do this — if B is in front of you, do that. This is why players can master it quickly once they know what to look for.
3/ Drive on your line
First we need them to understand “Line of Attack.” This is an imaginary line from the eyes to the rim, and great attackers stay on this line while driving.
Average players drive in loops and arcs.
First we need them to understand “Line of Attack.” This is an imaginary line from the eyes to the rim, and great attackers stay on this line while driving.
Average players drive in loops and arcs.
4a/ Running through the woods
Imagine you are running through the woods and directly in front of you is a tree trunk. What are you going to do?
Now imagine instead what is in front of you are some small branches.
Your reaction to these 2 things will be drastically different.
Imagine you are running through the woods and directly in front of you is a tree trunk. What are you going to do?
Now imagine instead what is in front of you are some small branches.
Your reaction to these 2 things will be drastically different.
4b/ Now take that analogy and use it on court. The defender is a tree. If you see the tree trunk on your line of attack that is a “chest read.” If you see branches on your line that is a “shoulder read.”
Your decisions in these two situations are drastically different.
Your decisions in these two situations are drastically different.
4c/ If you see a tree trunk in front of you on your run thru the woods you won't keep running, you will figure out something else to do. Just like in basketball, if you see a tree trunk (chest) you can’t keep going, that will be a charge. You need to find something else to do.
4d/ But if you see branches you will run right through them, snapping them as you go. On court branches are a “shoulder read.” We can’t let shoulders, arms or legs stop our attack to the basket. BREAK THE BRANCHES!!
5/ Become a reading machine…
Not a guessing machine!
Elite playmakers always make decisions based on what they see, not because they are taking a guess.
At our summer sessions with @PGCbasketball, we spend the week building players who are reading machines!!
Not a guessing machine!
Elite playmakers always make decisions based on what they see, not because they are taking a guess.
At our summer sessions with @PGCbasketball, we spend the week building players who are reading machines!!
6/ Separate your powers!
Great playmakers separate the power to do (dribble) from the power to see (scan the court to read the D). If you can’t attack w/your eyes up you can never read, only guess.
Building a game ready handle where you don’t need sight of the ball is a MUST!
Great playmakers separate the power to do (dribble) from the power to see (scan the court to read the D). If you can’t attack w/your eyes up you can never read, only guess.
Building a game ready handle where you don’t need sight of the ball is a MUST!
7a/ What do I do when I see chest read?
Pass... if the chest is a help defender then you are guarded by 2 players, which means someone is open!
Pass... if the chest is a help defender then you are guarded by 2 players, which means someone is open!
7b/ Change Direction... use a dribble move, jump stop, spin move or eurostep to get around the D!
7c/ Shoot... develop a floater or pull up jumper so that when the defense shows a chest you can shoot before you get to them.
8/ What do I do when I see a shoulder read?
KEEP GOING!!!!
Stay on your line of attack and get all the way to the rim. Don’t let a shoulder or arm force you to pass.
KEEP GOING!!!!
Stay on your line of attack and get all the way to the rim. Don’t let a shoulder or arm force you to pass.
9/ Analyze your decisions
In between pickup games, on the sideline, or while watching film analyze your decisions.
Did you have a chest/shoulder and what decision did you make? Was it the right one?
Study your game constantly & you will be a reading machine before you know it!
In between pickup games, on the sideline, or while watching film analyze your decisions.
Did you have a chest/shoulder and what decision did you make? Was it the right one?
Study your game constantly & you will be a reading machine before you know it!
