The Curl
-Sprint hard to set up your defender, then brush shoulders with your screener to completely seal off your opponent. You want to wrap tightly around the arc rather than running in a wide, easily defended circle.
-The most critical fundamental here is planting your inside foot (the foot closest to the basket). As you catch the ball, plant that inside foot firmly, swing your outside leg around to instantly square your shoulders and hips to the rim, and rise straight up.
The Slide
-You move laterally along the three-point line or baseline using rapid, low-center-of-gravity shuffle steps. Do not cross your feet, as this destroys your balance. Keep your hands up and active, framing a target for the passer.
-As you catch the ball off the slide, you use a quick one-two step or a hop to instantly halt your lateral momentum, transferring that energy vertically into your shot pocket.
The Counter Rip
-Catch the ball out on the perimeter or mid-post, dropping immediately into a low, wide triple-threat stance. Keep your feet wide and the ball anchored heavily at your hip.
-Read the defender's top hand or high closing foot. Sweep or rip the ball violently across your body, leading with your elbow. You must execute this either very low (below the knees) or high (overhead) to bypass their reaching hands. Accompany this with a hard cross-step to sell the drive.
-As you launch into the rip, watch the defender's response.
- Stop on a dime—typically using a two-foot jump stop or a sharp drop-step—and snap the ball back in the opposite direction (e.g., executing a double-rip or a hard counter-spin away from their recovery momentum).
- Flow straight from the counter-momentum into your jump shot.
Spin Move Into a Shot
-Drive aggressively toward a spot (like the elbow) with your outside hand to force the defender to move laterally to cut you off.
-Firmly plant your inside foot (the foot closest to the paint). This becomes your anchor. Drop your hips to maintain a low, athletic center of gravity.
-Execute a quick reverse pivot (spinning backward over your shoulder). Keep your head stacked over your center of mass so you do not drift or fade off-balance.
-As you complete the rotation, bring the ball cleanly into your shot pocket and snap your shoulders around to square up to the basket.
-Snap your eyes to the rim the millisecond your head comes around so your brain can gauge the distance before you elevate.
-Jump straight up, absorbing the rotational momentum, and launch into a smooth, fluid release.
Step Back Shot
-Attack the defender with one or two aggressive dribbles to commit their hips and momentum forward.
-Stay in a wide, low stance so you can explode backward instantly.
-Plant your front foot firmly to act as your launching pad.
-Drive hard off that front foot to pop backward and create space from the defender.
-Keep your chest up and eyes locked on the rim while staying balanced.
-Land quickly on the balls of your feet with a shoulder-width base to absorb energy and maintain balance.
-Bring the ball to your shooting pocket immediately during the step rather than executing a lazy, soft gather.
-Get your hands set on the ball early so you don't waste time adjusting your grip upon landing.
-Jump straight up vertically using your strong base, keeping your elbow tucked and finishing with a clean wrist snap.
