Basketball uses floor spacing, play formations and body positioning to create an advantage on offense and defense. How you are positioned in relation to your opponent can determine whether you are open to a drive, too closely covered for a shot or limited in your ability to move and forced to pass to a teammate. Proper footwork allows you to gain advantages against an opponent without running the risk of being assessed a foul.
Step-Slide Footwork
The zigzag method of using the step-slide is often integrated into basketball drills in impractical ways, according to the Youth Basketball Coaching Association. Defenders use the drill as a means of slowing down the opposing offense's movement up the court. This is ineffective because the angle and speed of moving a ball up the court is too fast, but in the half court, the step-slide can be effective. Position one player at the top of the key with the ball and another in front of him as a defender. Have the defender use a step-slide motion -- shuffling the feet from side to side rather than letting the feet cross over -- and use the shoulder to lead and anticipate the offensive player's direction based on his positioning. Have the offensive player attempt to dribble around the defensive player and to the hoop. The defensive player should be able to step-slide to prevent the offensive player from gaining an advantage.
Wing Combo Drill
This drill teaches offensive footwork that enables a player to gain an advantageous position and score from it. To execute this drill, place one chair at the right elbow on the court, with another at the three-point line slightly above where the first chair was placed. Put a ball on the seat of each chair. Have a player start down on the right block and run up inside the lane and around the chair, taking the ball off the chair as the player pivots around it to square up to the hoop to take a shot. After the shot, have the player continue running to the second chair, squaring up and picking up the ball. Instead of a shot, though, the player will execute a pivot move to create space and an opening, then drive to the hoop for a one- or two-dribble lay-up.
Jump Stop Drill
The jump stop drill teaches players how to keep their balance with a basketball, establish solid footing, eliminate traveling violations and improve pivoting skills. Line up one to 10 players along the baseline of the basketball court, providing at least five feet of space between each player. Blow a whistle to send players dribbling a ball downcourt at three-quarters speed. Blow the whistle at various points on the court to signal a jump stop -- this stop requires players to jump into a stop rather than step-braking, with both feet planting squarely on the court at the same time. Yell out a desired pivoting movement, including the foot they should pivot with -- the jump stop allows players to choose their pivot foot. Once players make the pivot movement, they should return to triple-threat position and wait for the whistle. Blow the whistle to have them continue moving downcourt, then repeat this process all the way to the other end, going back and forth along the court as desired.
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