Drive Middle Step-Back Jump Shot and Counter Move Step-Back Drive
By Hal Wissel
Drive Middle from Wing Step Back Jump Shot
The step-back jump shot is used when you are closely guarded as you drive. Toss the ball so it bounces at the wing. You are passing the ball to yourself. Catch the ball with a one-two stop. Your inside foot, the one closer to the middle, should land first, becoming your pivot foot. Make a front turn to the middle and see the rim. Be a triple-threat to shoot, pass, or drive and make a drive step. Keeping your weight on your pivot foot, create space away from your defender with at least two dribbles to the middle with your outside hand (the hand away from the defender). When your defender is able to stay with you, you should control your dribble. Lean your inside shoulder into your defender, then make an aggressive head and shoulder fake to straighten your defender’s legs. Create space away from your defender by dribbling back. Jump behind the ball in balance by dipping your knees (to change backward momentum to upward momentum) while aligning your shooting-side knee with the ball. Keep your head and shoulders forward to counter the tendency to lean back. Pick up the ball in front of your shooting-side knee with your shooting hand on top of the ball and with your non-shooting hand under the ball for balance. Bring the ball straight up so your shooting hand faces the basket. Jump straight up and shoot a jump shot. Direct your head, shoulders, shooting hand, and fingers toward the basket to counter any tendency to lean your head and shoulders back on your shot. Hold your follow-through straight up until the ball goes through the net. Land in balance at the spot of your takeoff and be ready to get back on defense.
Error: Your shot is short because you float back.
Correction: When making the step-back dribble, jump behind the ball in balance by dippingyour knees. Keep your head and shoulders forward to counter the tendency to lean back.
Drive Middle From Wing Step-Back Jump Shot
Drive Middle from Wing Counter Move Step-Back Drive
When you step back for a jump shot and your defender comes up on you, you should drive by your defender. When your defender is able to stay with you as you dribble back, use a head and shoulder fake to straighten your defender’s legs, then drive by your defender. Look for a help defender trying to block your shot. Continue your drive as close to the basket as possible to get the shot blocker’s hand caught in the net—we call this “putting him in jail.” Shoot a hook shot over the reach of the shot blocker. Land in the same spot as your takeoff. Be ready to rebound a possible missed shot and score with a power move. You may also finish with a reverse layup, shoot a runner, or pass to the open teammate whom the shot blocker left.
Error: Your shot is blocked as you drive.
Correction: Continue your drive as close to the basket as possible to get the shot blocker’s hand caught in the net. Shoot the book shot over the reach of the shot blocker.
Drive Middle From Wing Step-Back Drive