Developing Footwork Skills in Young Players

Teaching effective and efficient footwork is a challenge for coaches at all levels and is an area of the sport that needs constant attention, refining and development.

The elite players all possess the ability to create time and space through effective footwork, pivoting and the body control to start and stop efficiently,

Part of the challenge in teaching and developing footwork is finding interesting and game-like drills and breakdowns for the skill. Telling a team “we are going to work on pivoting for the next 10 minutes” is a good way to lose the attention and interest of the players.

Starting and stopping –

Travel turnovers occur at the start and end of dribble penetration and the deficiencies in the ability to start and stop. Simple area of the game, but if not drilled, refined and practiced, can be costly.

Some aspects to consider on the catch and start of the dribble –

• Catch it clean – use of “hungry hands” to ensure no fumbles on the catch
• Catch in stance – travels on the start of the drive are often linked to poor stance
• Ball and foot down at the same time – especially on the on-side move, which is one of the most common travel calls
• “Chest over knee” on the first step and dribble – body positioning is linked to balance and the ability “start” efficiently
• Use of the jump stop at the end of penetration – buys time for the next decision, opens passing and scoring windows

Catching footwork –

The ability of players to catch the ball balanced and ready to make the next play and decision is a key area, especially for youth players.

Players need to be able to create a lead, pivot into the catch on either foot and both a forward and reverse pivot.

Some teaching points for footwork on the catch –

• “Catch it down” – lower body position allows for better balance
• “Ball is in the air, you are in the air” – receivers should catch the ball in the air to ensure they can effect the appropriate pivot
• Teach “catch & shoot” footwork and “catch and drive” footwork
• The ability to catch at speed on the inside foot and rise into the shot has never been more important
• Can your players play off both feet, with both pivots on both sides of the floor?

Creation of time and space – pivoting

Offensive basketball is about creating time and space. Effective pivoting at the start of the drive and at the end of penetration allows for the creation of space.

At higher levels, there is a more prevalence of players playing off a “power foot” or preferred pivot foot. At the youth level, coaches should be developing the ability to play off either foot, using either pivot to create time and space.

Use of the pivot on the catch to create initial time and space to operate is a vital skill for the youth player. Building to using a combination of pivots, foot fakes and first step efficiency is the progression and skills that should be drilled and practiced consistently.

Offensive basketball is a game of deception and efficient use of pivoting and foot fakes is part of the skill package any player needs to create a momentary advantage with ball in hand.

Iconic stars such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were able to highly effective offensive players late into their career through advanced pivoting skills to create time and space.

Some baseline pivoting and finishing in our small group skill development session pic.twitter.com/9vOgCiIVQ5

— Centre of Excellence (@BACentreofExcel) March 31, 2022

Footwork at the end of the drive –

The ability to stop and use pivoting to create the next opportunity at the end of the drive is an undertaught skill set. Lack of efficiency at the end of dribble penetration can lead to turnovers, missed shots or poor decisions.

At the youth level, teaching and encouraging young players to play off two feet is a good way to limit turnovers and poor decisions at the end of the drive. Coming to a jump stop allows for more time to make a worthwhile decision and opens the opportunity to create a shot or passing window.

Having players understand the value of two pivots at the end of their drive is an important teaching tool. The first pivot potentially opens a window to shoot, the second pivot opens a passing window to an open teammate.

Incorporating footwork into the games approach –

Pivoting and footwork don’t have to be taught in isolation. While starting and stopping and pivoting can be drilled in the “block” setting, it must incorporated into all drills and breakdowns.

Have a footwork point of emphasis on any drill or breakdown and communicate that to the players. It may be something on the catch, pivoting or footwork at the end of the drive.

Too often, coaches ignore travels or inefficient footwork to focus on concept or tactic and pay the price for this in games through travel calls or turnovers.