One of the simplest yet most effective ways to move the defense is by the use of the shot fake or the pass fake. Any player, regardless of their size, strength, or skill level can be effective with the pass or the shot fake. Generally you can utilize the shot fake to get the defense up and out of their stance. They will stand up momentarily or, if the fake it good enough, they will leave their feet in an attempt to block the shot. A pass fake will move the defense from one side to the other. The good thing about a pass fake is that it will often move more than one defender. Not only will the player on the ball move but often the other players will moves as well in anticipation of their defensive jobs chancing. A fake pass on a skip will often take a helpside defender out of help in an effort to get her a start on her closeout. A key teaching point for the shot fake and pass fake is to limit it to six inches. A fake that goes beyond six inches will allow the defense an opportunity to recover. A fake that is shorter than six inches will not give the defense an opportunity to go for the fake.
There are five things that an effective fake can do for a player.
Move the defense to create a shot opportunity
A good shot fake will get the defense in the air and then while they are coming down, you will have a better opportunity to get your shot off. A good pass fake will move the defense. An example would be against a zone defense. The point guard comes down and makes a pass fake to the right wing shifting the entire zone defense to that side. She then makes a good quick pass to the left wing who is open for a shot.
Move the defense to create a pass opportunity
A good pass fake can open up a passing ally. There is truest most when feeding the post. A player with the ball who is trying to feed the post can definitely expect some good ball pressure. Our key teaching phrase for our players is, “fake a pass, to make a pass.” If we want to make a bounce pass into the low post, then we will fake a pass high, get the defender up out of her stance with high hands, and then bounce the ball in the post. The exact opposite is also true. If we want to make a good two-handed overhead pass into the post, we can fake the bounce pass, get the defender’s hands down, and then deliver the overhead pass. The pass fake is also a great tool to set up the back door cut. If the defender is pressuring the wing, fake the pass to the wing and when the defender bites, cut back door for the pass and a lay-up.
Move the defense to create a driving opportunity
The shot fake is an especially effective tool to set up the drive. In fact, if you are good perimeter shooter, you should work diligently in perfecting the shot fake. First, because you will be able to use the fake to get your defender up out of her stance to set up the drive. Second, because once the defense knows you will fake and drive, they will often pull up short on their closeout which will lead you to an open shot opportunity. We spend extra time at practice with our shooters, especially the 3-point threats, on their shot fake. Anytime the ball is skipped or passed quickly to the helpside of the floor, we put the defender in a situation where she must closeout. We want her closing out on the ball worrying about whether a drive or a shot is coming. When the closeout is high and hard, we want the shot fake and a drive.
There are five things that an effective fake can do for a player.
Move the defense to create a shot opportunity
A good shot fake will get the defense in the air and then while they are coming down, you will have a better opportunity to get your shot off. A good pass fake will move the defense. An example would be against a zone defense. The point guard comes down and makes a pass fake to the right wing shifting the entire zone defense to that side. She then makes a good quick pass to the left wing who is open for a shot.
Move the defense to create a pass opportunity
A good pass fake can open up a passing ally. There is truest most when feeding the post. A player with the ball who is trying to feed the post can definitely expect some good ball pressure. Our key teaching phrase for our players is, “fake a pass, to make a pass.” If we want to make a bounce pass into the low post, then we will fake a pass high, get the defender up out of her stance with high hands, and then bounce the ball in the post. The exact opposite is also true. If we want to make a good two-handed overhead pass into the post, we can fake the bounce pass, get the defender’s hands down, and then deliver the overhead pass. The pass fake is also a great tool to set up the back door cut. If the defender is pressuring the wing, fake the pass to the wing and when the defender bites, cut back door for the pass and a lay-up.
Move the defense to create a driving opportunity
The shot fake is an especially effective tool to set up the drive. In fact, if you are good perimeter shooter, you should work diligently in perfecting the shot fake. First, because you will be able to use the fake to get your defender up out of her stance to set up the drive. Second, because once the defense knows you will fake and drive, they will often pull up short on their closeout which will lead you to an open shot opportunity. We spend extra time at practice with our shooters, especially the 3-point threats, on their shot fake. Anytime the ball is skipped or passed quickly to the helpside of the floor, we put the defender in a situation where she must closeout. We want her closing out on the ball worrying about whether a drive or a shot is coming. When the closeout is high and hard, we want the shot fake and a drive.
Freeze the defense to create more vision time.
The ability to fake and freeze the defender can allow the offensive player a split second or more to see things as the develop on the floor. It may be that allows the ball handler just a second more to allow a cutter to become open. It could be that the fake allows just a second more for the post player to get a better piece of the paint. It could be that this allows the player holding the ball to hold it long enough for a screener to get to a cutter. And, in motion of course, a good fake could allow all of the above or various combinations to occur.
