Being able to read the defense out of the triple threat and decide if you’re going to attack or shoot is a key skill all players should develop so follow these reads to learn what the right time for attacking the basket is and shooting the ball.
When the defender has neither hand up: A lot of the time players won’t shoot this shot just because there’s a defender close to them, but players should really understand that hands down does indeed mean man down and it’s an opportunity for a shot.
Defender has his feet parallel (no top foot) but a hand up: This is where you use fakes without dribbling, head fakes, jab steps. Often time it’s hard to have enough power with your feet parallel so if they react to one of these moves it’ll be hard to close the gap. A simple dribble move to get them to either back up for a shot or give you a top foot is the goal.
Defender has very obvious top foot: This is hard to get over if you’re playing a good defender. However getting over that top foot is going to make it incredibly difficult for that defender to keep up with you. Figure out a way to get that top foot down or get over the top foot
Defender is closing out low (protects drive): Always shoot this if the defender isn’t closing out high enough. This has to be decisive or the space will be closed up.
Defender closes out very aggressively: This usually happens to better shooters when defenders don’t want to give up a three, if you notice the defender aggressively closes out, drive drive drive either before the defender closes out, or once they are close enough to you to where you can just burst and blow by them.
Defender is on hip in paint, low help: This is where you absolutely need to have a floater in your arsenal to be able to softly put up a shot over that low help defender, try and hostage dribble keeping your defender behind you and put up a floater.
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