10 tips on how to be more effective without the ball
Keonte Belton
There are five players all trying to score during an offensive possession, but only one ball. A majority of players spend most of their time on the floor without the ball, and being effective without the ball can be the difference between a good offensive player and a great offensive player. We asked a few of our UH trainers across the country for tips on how to be a better player without the ball. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to becoming the next Klay Thompson.
Ken Koerner - Syosset, NY: Move with a purpose. Be HARD to guard. Using v-cuts, curl cuts, backdoor cuts and setting screens will lead to you getting open and ultimately help your team score. Limit standing still on the court!
Kwame Ofori - Centerville, VA: The easiest way to get open is to screen for others and help others get open. Ball screens, back screens, pass and cut.
Peter Fabiano - Florham Park, NJ: Keep moving and stay active even if you don't have the ball. Set screens for your teammates and keep your defender busy so he or she can't play help defense on your teammates.
Cassidy Klinefelter - Folsom, CA: Setting off ball screens and being a vocal leader.
Adrian Woodard - Bergen County, NJ: Set your defender up to go away from where you want to go.
Bryce Lewis - Berkeley Heights, NJ: Set screens for your teammates and relocate to open areas on the court.
Lorenzo Orr - Lakeville, MN: Ball cuts are a great way to catch your defender napping. When they take their eyes off you, cut to an open spot on the floor and shoot.
Jonathan Nester - Franklin, TN: There are two ways to more effective without the basketball. The first way to be more effective without the basketball is learning how to screen. Screening is one of the most important parts of basketball. This will allow to get your teammates and yourself open on offense. The second way to be more effective without the basketball is learning how to use and read screens. This will allow countless open shots on the offensive end of the court. If you want to learn how to use screens, study Klay Thompson. He is the best player in the world at using and reading screens.
Reggie Thompson - Woodstock, GA: Continuous movement! Set screens to open up the floor for teammates, which in return will work in your favor and leave you open.
Nick Malonga - Warrenville, IL: Keep moving and RUN. A big portion of a basketball game is played in transition. When a player has a desire to outrun the defense, their pace movement can lead to easy baskets in transition and keep the defense on edge.
If you’re interested in signing up for training, contact us here.