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Basketball: Triple Threat Position And The Jab Step
It’s called a basketball Triple Threat position because when you receive a pass, you will have three options: passing the ball, shooting the ball, or driving forward. It’s called a “threat” because your defender won’t know which to expect, giving you a huge advantage. The basketball Jab Step is a very common follow up to the Triple Threat, which we will cover below. Read on to see how to catch the basketball in Triple Threat position, use the basketball Jab Step, and your options afterward. Step 1: Getting in Position As soon as you receive a pass, but are too heavily defended to make an immediate move, the Basketball Triple Threat position should be used. Here’s how the Triple Threat position is done: you’ll want to firmly grip the basketball with both hands, put your elbows out, and hold it low and next to your body while bending your knees. It’s fine to move the ball to the left or right to keep the ball away from surrounding players, but keep the ball close with your elbows out. Holding the ball in this position will effectively prevent your opponents from stealing it while providing no hint to your next move. Be aware of your pivot foot. In basketball, you are allowed to pivot around on one stationary foot: this foot is called your pivot foot and it cannot move or slide. If you caught the basketball in Triple Threat position with both feet on the ground, you can choose which will become your pivot foot and which foot you’ll move. However, it’s also common to have one foot already moving as you catch the pass. In this case, your one stationary foot will automatically be your pivot foot, and an attempt to move it while holding the ball will get you called for traveling. Step 2: Faking and the Jab Step The power of the Triple Threat is that the defender now has to guess what position to guard you in, and “committing” to one stance for too long will allow you to make a different move, catching him off-guard. This is where the Jab Step comes in. The basketball Jab Step is done by quickly moving, or “jabbing,” your non-pivot foot towards your defender to look as though you’re going to drive. Paying attention to your defender’s reaction during the Jab Step is key. If he backs up, he’ll be giving you space, which may buy you time to shoot, pass, or move in another direction. Another kind of fake is a fake shot or pass, which may lure him into a higher blocking stance, so you can move around him. By combining a string of Jab Steps and/or shooting and passing fakes, you’ll just have to watch for your defender to “commit” to a defensive position so you can make your move. Learning to find and take advantage of an opening between Jab steps and fakes just takes a bit of practice. Step 3: Make Your Move Finally, the Triple Threat has been set up, your opponent is off-guard (possibly through a Jab Step or other fake), and you’re ready to choose what you will do with the ball. Option A: The Pass Passing the basketball to an open teammate will usually be the option taken if you feel you cannot drive around your defender, or get a good shot to the basketball goal. This is often the case when you are heavily guarded and cannot seem to effectively fake out your defender. Option B: The Drive Driving the basketball from a Triple Threat position is the most effective when a fake is used first, or else you’ll be easily stopped by your opponent. Faking a quick pass or shot could trick your opponent to block you high-up, allowing you to quickly dribble the ball (low to the ground) around him. Jab Steps are also effective, or you can perform a Spin Move to get around him. Instructions on how to perform a Spin Move can be found in the link below. The key is always to look for your opponent to commit to your fake, and then make your move. Option C: The Shot It is usually ideal to take a shot at the basketball hoop as soon as you receive a pass. If, however, you’re too closely guarded to shoot immediately, a fake will be needed to attempt it from the Triple Threat position. Jab Steps work wonders here. As soon as your opponent backs off, expecting you to drive, you should have just enough room and time to take a shot. It is worth mentioning, though, that you should always feel fairly comfortable when trying to take a shot at the basketball hoop, maybe more so than any other action. This is because a poorly-aimed shot will be up for grabs if it misses, and will likely end up in the other team’s hands. Shooting blindly is never a good idea. That’s the Triple Threat position! Take a moment to watch the video below, where Basketball Pro and Legend Michael Jordan will show you how to do the basketball Triple Threat position, basketball Jab Steps, and Fakes. Then, as always, practice makes perfect; so get out there and try it out yourself! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Now that you’ve read it, want to see it in action? Check out Michael Jordan showing the Triple Threat and Jab Step. Michael George is a coach and lifelong fan of basketball, among other sports. He and the other coaches at www.BasketballHoopsPro.com have over 100 years of combined experience in playing and coaching this great game. |
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