Introduction

For my blog I have decided to break down the complexity of reading and breaking down your opponent using the fundamentals and mechanics you have learned over time.  After learning the first skill you can add on the 2^nd  and 3^rd skill.  Lets gets started by learning the terms first and then proceeding to the skills.  Have Fun!

Terms

 Mechanics- branch of physics that analyzes the actions of forces on particles and mechanical systems.

Angle of Projection- the direction at which a body is projected with respect to the horizontal.

Balance- ability to control equilibrium.

Center of mass - point around which a body's volume is equally balanced and at which the buoyant force acts.

curvilinear- along a curved line.

Extension- the act of straightening a limb.

Flexion- the act of bending a limb.

Angle of Attack- angle between the longitudinal axis of a body and the direction of the fluid flow.

Force- push or pull; the product of mass and acceleration.

Lift- force acting on a body in a fluid in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow.

Center of Gravity- point around which a body's weight is equally balanced, no matter how the body is 
positioned.

Linear- along a line that may be straight or curved, with all parts of the body moving in the same direction at 
the same speed.

Linear Momentum- quantity of motion, measured as the product of a body's mass and its velocity.

Power- rate of work production, calculated as work divided by the time during which the work was done.

Hamstrings- the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus.

Quadriceps- the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius.

 Range of Motion- angle through which a joint moves from anatomical position to the extreme limit of segment motion in a particular direction.

Sagittal Plane- plane in which forward and backward movements of the body and body segments occur.

Stability- resistence to disruption of equilibrium.

Equilibrium -  when the resultant force and moment acting on a body are zero.

Acceleration The rate of change of velocity with respect to time, mathematically the second time derivative of displacement and the first time derivative of velocity (See 4.4). Acceleration is also a vector quantity that may take positive, negative, or zero values.

Moment - The turning effect produced by a force. Calculated  as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance between the point of appli­cation of the force and the axis of rotation. In vector terms, the calculation is the vector (cross) product of force and distance

Weight - The force that results from the action of a gravitational field on a mass. Weight can be thought of  as the force an object exerts on a stationary supporting surface placed perpendicular to a gravitational field (and by Newton's third law as the force the surface exerts on the object).

Inertial  Forces -  The product of the mass of a body and its acceleration or the moment of inertia and the angular acceleration


Energy The capacity for doing work. In any system, this capacity cannot be destroyed, but energy can be transformed from one form to another

Triple threat

is the position when a player facing a defender receives a pass but has not dribbled yet. The offensive player's feet are slightly wider than shoulder width and slightly on the balls of his feet, his knees flexed, with both hands on the basketball in front of him or almost resting on his thigh, presenting the defender with an opponent able to move in any direction. One foot is held as the pivot and the other slightly ahead. From this, the player can choose from three options: to jump-shoot, to dribble (drive) past the defender or to pass it to a teammate.

Jab step

also known as side step is performed when a player holds onto the ball before dribbling while his non-pivot leg performs a routine jabbing. This move is used to test defender's defensive weaknesses and stance. A combination of the pump fake, the drive, the shot and the crossover drive can be performed along with the jab step to lure the opponent out of his defense. When he does this, the defender falls off from his defensive stance, creating a space between him and the defender, allowing him to take a quick jumper or a drive to the basket

A pump fake (shot fake)

is a pretend attempt at a jump shot, restrained before the feet leave the ground. The pump fake is a fundamental move in basketball, used to cause defenders to jump or be shifted off-balance.

In a crossover dribble

The ballhandler changes pace to confuse or freeze a defender. This is done by changing the ball from one hand to the other via a dribble. Although a crossover does not have to be on a defender, the point of it is to change direction (and speed) to get by a defender.

Dribble

bouncing the ball 

Jump Shot
an attempt to score a basket by jumping, usually straight up, and in mid-jump, propelling the ball in an arc into the basket. It is accomplished by the player bringing his or her elbow up until it is aligned with the hoop, then sent towards the hoop in a high arc. It is considered the easiest shot to make from a distance. The purposes of the jump are to make it more difficult for the defender to block, and to put more power behind the shot.

 Layup

 A two point attempt made by leaping from below, laying the ball up near the basket, and using one hand to tip the ball over the rim and into the basket or to bank it off the backboard and into the basket The motion and one-handed reach distinguish it from a jump shot. The layup is considered the most basic shot in basketball

Slam Dunk

A type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim.  This is considered a normal field goal attempt; if successful it is worth two points

Jab step into jump shot

Stance Phase

In the stance phase you want to be in triple threat which is the position when a player facing a defender receives a pass but has not dribbled yet and has the option to pass dribble or shoot in the sagital plane. The offensive player's feet are slightly wider than shoulder width and slightly on the balls of his or her feet, knees flexed, with both hands on the basketball in front of him or almost resting on his thigh. It is most important to maintain form to have a well balanced center of gravity
                                                                             Novice

Expert

Preparation

Here is where you want to size up your opponent. By looking at the defender you can decide which foot you will use to make the jab step with. 

Action Phase

Once reading your defender, you will do a jab step also known as side step. It is important to have the right angle of attack extending your leg causing your opponent to become off balance disrupting the defenders equilibrium and creating enough space to shoot a jump shot. Lifting the arms and Flexing the arms simultaneously creating a shooting form. While creating this Range of Motion in the upper body, you will use the Inertial Force created in your legs to jump in the air and use energy to shoot the ball.  Also you want to distribute your weight appropriately and not lean too foward causing your center of gravity to become off. When enough space is created for you to take a jump shot, Go ahead and SHOOT!

Recovery Phase

After releasing the shot you want to follow through. Also in recovery phase in an in game situation you have the options after shooting, to follow your shot in case you miss and you can get the rebound or to get back on defense in defensive stance

Cues:  Jab step, create space, follow through, get back on defense

Jab step, shot fake, one dribble, jump shot

Stance Phase

In the stance phase you want to be in triple threat which is the position when a player facing a defender receives a pass but has not dribbled yet and has the option to pass dribble or shoot in the sagital plane. The offensive player's feet are slightly wider than shoulder width and slightly on the balls of his or her feet, knees flexed, with both hands on the basketball in front of him or almost resting on his thigh. It is most important to maintain form to have a well balanced center of gravity

Preparation

Here is where you want to size up your opponent. By looking at the defender you can decide which foot you will use to make the jab step with. 

Action Phase

Once reading your defender, you will do a jab step also known as side step. Triggering your opponent to become off balance. However, by repetition of the skill  the defender may anticipate and recovers quick enough not allowing you to take a shot you can then shot fake and then take one dribble passed the defender creating space for you to take a jump shot.

Recovery Phase

After releasing the shot you want to follow through. Also in recovery phase in an in game situation you have the options after shooting, to follow your shot in case you miss and you can get the rebound or to get back on defense in defensive stance.

Cues:  Jab step, pump fake, create space, follow through, get back on defense.

Jab step, shot fake, one dribble, crossover into layup/dunk

Stance Phase


In the stance phase you want to be in triple threat which is the position when a player facing a defender receives a pass but has not dribbled yet. The offensive player's feet are slightly wider than shoulder width and slightly on the balls of his or her feet, knees flexed, with both hands on the basketball in front of him or almost resting on his thigh.

Preparation

Here is where you want to size up your opponent. By looking at the defender you can decide which foot you will use to make the jab step with.

Action Phase

This phase is the most complex where all basic fundamentals come into action. Once reading your defender, you will do a jab step also known as side step. Prompting your opponents stability to become off balance, if the defender recovers quickly enough not allowing you to take a shot you can shot fake and then take one dribble passed the defender.  Now if you didn’t create enough space to get your shot attempt off because the defender recovers in time you can also change direction and cause the forward movement of your body to change from Linear to Curvilinear. By changing pace your Linear Momentum has decreased.  A crossover dribble as another source to create space and to make your opponent off balanced. After successfully cross over dribble  depending where you are on the court and positioning of the defender you can now accelerate moment toward the basket for a layup or slam dunk, using the force and power generated by your quadriceps and hamstrings.

Recovery Phase

After Dunking the ball you will want to get back on defense in a defensive stance.

Cues:  Jab step, pump fake, change direction, create space, get back on defense

Drills

Jab series
Can work out vs a cone, chair, garbage can etc,

Jab same side layup
Jab cross into non dominant layup
Jab pump fake into shot and then add one dribble shot
Jab one dribble jump shot right side then left side
Jab one dribble step back


cross over drill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6J55SAHfE
34 seconds