5 basketball Moves to Throw your Defender Off Balance

The off-season is a great time to add new basketball moves to your skill set. It's super important to train in game-like conditions to make sure these moves work against a real defender. You can practice without a defender, but playing some live 1-on-1 after your solo shooting drills will help you really master them. Check out our top 5 basketball moves to throw your defender off balance below!

#1 Front Foot Stop

This move is used to quickly change pace or stop. A defender often reacts to the offensive player’s speed so the change of pace can catch them off guard. Check it out in the video below!

Your front for stop gives you the ability to shift your weight and momentum quickly to change directions or get up a quick shot before the defender can anticipate your next move. Mastering the front foot stop will help you better manipulate the defenders’ movements and create more scoring opportunities. 

#2 Front Foot Stop Exchange

This move is used to quickly change pace, direction, or stop. Get your defender's momentum heading downhill to force a reaction to the change of pace and further separate yourself. Once this is accomplished change directions by exchanging the basketball before getting into your shot. Check it out in the video below! 

By quickly stopping and changing direction off your front foot, you create an abrupt shift that catches the defender off guard, making it easier to blow past them or create space for a shot.

#3 Anchor Step Through

An anchor step through involves a player planting one foot firmly to fake a downhill drive, then exchanging quickly in the opposite direction. Check it out in the video below!

When a player does this sudden shift they'll throw the defender off balance, creating space for an open shot or a clear path to the basket.

#4 Misdirection in & out

The misdirection in-and-out move will get your defender leaning causing the defender to shift their weight. From there you'll attack downhill into space. Check it out in the video below!

By quickly pulling the ball back and moving in the opposite direction, you can create space and throwing your defender off balance. This makes it easier to drive past them or take an open shot.

#5 Split catch

When a player does a split catch move they will catch the ball while simultaneously splitting their feet to attack downhill. Check it out in the video below!

This quick action helps a player instantly change direction or attack, throwing their defender off and creating space for a drive or shot.

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