Great Tips on Offensive Basketball Moves

For a player to be a real threat when they have the ball, they must work on their Basketball Offensive Moves! By working on these moves players will be much more comfortable and confident with the basketball – and more of a scoring threat!

I think the best feeling in basketball is being able to make a great move to get around your defender and then driving to the hoop for a shot or pass to a teammate. That is a great individual accomplishment which leads to team success. I don’t think it gets any better than that!

These Basketball Offensive Moves are moves that you will make on the perimeter (outside moves) and moves you will make on the post (inside moves). I would encourage you to practice both inside and outside moves, regardless of your position or size. This will make you a better all-around offensive player and will make you much harder to defend.

Basketball Moves For Success

1. Live Ball Moves.

• Are made when the offensive player is still able to use their dribble.
• These basketball offensive moves start from the triple-threat position. This is a good, balanced position that enables you to move quickly in any direction and to either dribble, pass or shoot.
• These moves will be made by using the dribble to get past the defender and go toward the basket.
• These moves should be made quickly, should attack the front foot of the defender, and should go directly toward the basket.

Some of the most common live ball moves are:

• The direct drive is used to get past the defender with the dominant foot.
• The hesitation move is made by taking a jab step at the defender with the dominant foot and, if the defender doesn’t react to that, then an explosive step past the defender to the basket.
• The crossover move is made by taking a jab step toward the defender with the dominant foot and then crossing that foot over to the other side in front of the defender. You then explode past the defender toward the basket.

2. Dead Ball Moves.

• Are made at the end of the dribble when you are within shooting range.
• These basketball offensive moves are important; however, it is best to keep your dribble alive as long as possible to be more effective with the basketball.

Some of the most common dead ball moves are:

• The jump shot is taken within shooting range and under control.
• The shot fake and jump shot is used to fake the defender with a good fake and then take a good, under control shot.

3. Playing the post.

• Starts with a good powerful stance.
• You should have a wide base, low center of gravity, elbows out, upper arms parallel to the floor, and your hands up and ready for the ball.
• Post players must be aggressive, must want the ball, and must know that there is going to be a lot of contact and bumping at their position.

Some of the most common post moves are:

• The post shot is the basic shot for post players. This shot is taken in the free throw lane and usually does not require the dribble.
• The power move is usually made toward the baseline but can be made toward the middle. The move is made away from the defender. If the defender is playing you high, your power move is low-toward the baseline. If your defender is playing you low, your power move is high-toward the middle.This basketball offensive move is made by taking a drop step and sealing off the defender. At the same you take one power dribble toward the basket, come to a quick stop and explode up to the basket for the shot.
• Facing moves can also be made. These moves are used when you turn and face the defender. From here you can take a jump shot, shot fake and jump shot, or any other outside moves that you have perfected.

For more great tips and drills to help the youth basketball player improve their basketball offensive moves, please visit our page on Youth Basketball Drills.

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I hope you found these tips on Offensive Basketball Moves to be helpful and informative. Remember – to be a threat when you have the basketball on offense, you must be able to make various moves. This makes you much harder to guard and makes you that much more valuable to your team.

If you need more great information on these basketball offensive moves or other basketball topics, I would suggest you purchase some good basketball books and videos. These will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about the game of basketball.