Get A Go-To Move
One of the most efficient ways to become a next level scorer and average 20+ points per game this season is through the use of a go-to move. A single move, when mastered, can elevate your athlete’s game and help them to score consistently.
If your athlete is aiming to get take their scoring to the next level, a go-to move is crucial.
In this post, we’ll explore the principles, the practices, and provide some actionable drills to get you started.
Why You Need a Go-To Move
A go-to move isn’t just a flashy trick; it’s a reliable means to secure points.
With the right move, your athlete can easily add 8 to 10 points per game to their stat sheet. Combined with normal effective play (ie. free throws, steals, or any points off rebounds/loose balls) and you’re looking at around 20 points a game.
However, the key to developing a go-to move is consistency and simplicity.
Principles of a Go-To Move
There are three core principles you need to keep in mind when looking to develop your go-to move:
1. Simplicity:
Your go-to move should be simple. Too often we see ESPN and Instagram highlights of players making difficult or fancy moves.
Know that no effective scorer ever scores the bulk of their points using these types of moves. A go-to move is always going to be simple and routine.
Even Kyrie Irving, who has an incredibly deep array of shots, uses effective and simple shots to average more than twenty points per game. Trick shots won’t get you 20 points every game, but basic, reliable moves will.
2. Consistent Practice:
A key component to developing a go-to move is consistent practice of the move. However, to maintain consistency the practice must also be simple.
Maintaining simplicity when it comes to a go-to move requires that practicing our move be quick and effective. Short, quick practice routines increase the likelihood that your athlete will maintain consistent practice of their go-to move.
When I transitioned from shooting guard to point guard in college, I quickly realized my handle was lacking. I began to dedicate just 15 minutes daily, after practice, to work on my handle. Over the course of the next three years I became one of the nation’s top ball-handlers according to scout’s rankings.
3. Three Facets:
If your athlete’s go-to move is to become unstoppable, they must practice three distinct versions of their move: the main move, a counter move, and an off-timing variation.
This will allow them to become comfortable with the move no matter what any defender might do.
If they have an advantage and the defense is unaware (typical scenario) they get to their favorite spot, stop and pop. But, when a defender gets smart (sometimes happens) during a game and begins to notice that your athlete favors this particular move, they will have a counter version of their go-to move available.
Lastly, once your athlete becomes elite at using their go-to move, defenses might plan in advance (rarely) to disrupt the timing of the move by sending an extra defender. This is where you go-to the off-timing component of the move which will involve making the move at a completely different rhythm than usual.
4. Three Levels
Before you choose your go to move, realize that all shots come from one of three levels (paint, mid-range or three-pointers.)
You will need to select the area of the floor in which your athlete is most effective.
Your selection should be based around factors such as your athlete’s common tendencies, opportunities, and team style of play.
Practicing a Go-To Move
Let's dive into specific moves that you can start working on right away. Below we have listed a specific go-to move for each level of the floor. Remember, your task is to select one of these three areas in which to develop your athlete’s go to move.
Even if you choose a different move than one of the ones listed below, your athlete will adopt their chosen go-to move more quickly if they stick to just one move, the counter for that move, and an off-timing version of that move.
Once you have selected the scoring level and type of move your athlete prefers, feel free to use the template below to perfect your move.
1. Floaters
The floater is an essential move, especially for guards, although not the easiest to perfect. The ease of shooting the floater (literally a running shot that is difficult to defend against) makes it popular, however, buyer beware, because floaters, while easy to shoot, are difficult to make consistenly.
This is because players rarely practice shooting shots while floating towards the rim. Its like shooting at a moving target.
Still, with practice and consistency, the floater can become a go-to option for your athlete.
Drills:
Main Move: Start at the top of the key or wing. Perform a natural move off the dribble or a jab-step then go. Get into the paint and shoot the floater. Make 5.
Counter Move: Whatever direction you choose, now perform either the off the dribble move or jab step, then, insert a counter (if off the dribble, perform an additional dribble move to get the ball in the opposite hand; if jab step perform a jab then cross). Get into the paint and shoot the floater with the opposite hand from what you used in your main move. Make 5.
Off Timing: Repeat step 1 and get back to your main move, but before shooting the floater, disrupt the timing of the move by changing the footwork (add a jump-stop, euro, or jump-stop into reverse pivot) or handwork (add a high or low pickup to avoid defender’s hand) before shooting the floater. Make 5
Complete. If paint floaters are your athlete’s go-to move, do this drill 2-3 days per week after practices, and it will become unstoppable in no time.
2. The Mid-Range Pull-Up
This was my personal go-to move. Despite the changing dynamics of the game, the mid-range pull-up remains the most effective and attainable shot on the floor.
Drills:
Main Move: Start at the top of the key or wing. Perform a natural move off the dribble or a jab-step then go. Get to the elbow and shoot the mid-range pull-up shot. Make 5.
Counter Move: Repeat the setup for Step 1, but after the the dribble move or jab step, insert a counter (if off the dribble, perform an additional dribble move to get the ball in the opposite hand; if jab step perform a jab then cross). Get towards the wing (under the 3 point line) and shoot the min-range pull-up shot, dribbling with the opposite hand from what you used in your main move. Make 5.
Off Timing: Repeat step 1 and get back to your main move, but before shooting the mid-range pull-up, disrupt the timing of the move by changing the footwork (add a step back, shoulder bump, etc.) or handwork (add a shot fake or pass fake) before shooting the mid-range pull-up. Make 5
Complete. If mid-range pull-ups are your athlete’s go-to move, do this drill 2-3 days per week after practices, and it will become unstoppable in no time.
3. The Three-Point Shot
The three-pointer is now a staple in modern basketball, so perfecting this can make you invaluable on the court. But shooting the three should be a part of any serious player’s normal routine.
Consequently, what we are going to focus on is a delayed three-pointer. This involves shooting the three after the defender fully closes out and drops the hand to guard against the drive.
Perfecting this shot will allow your athlete to shoot from an extremely balanced position, making this shot a great one to perfect.
Drills:
Main Move: Athletes should start outside the three-point line and flip the ball back to themselves. After recieving the ball, athletes should hold the ball towards the hip and look straight on at the approaching defender. As the defender completes the close out, your athlete should then rise up and shoot, from the same location as where they caught the ball. Make 5.
Counter Move: Perform main move, but before shooting, up fake the shot, then take one dribble while stepping to the right or left of the lifted defender. Then shoot. Make 5.
Off Timing: Perform main move then modify the footwork (dribble then step back) or handwork (multiple dribble moves in place) then shoot. Make 5.
Complete. If threes are your athlete’s go-to move, do this drill 2-3 days per week after practices, and it will become unstoppable in no time.
Perfecting Your Go-To Move
You now have the framework to start developing your go-to move.
Remember, consistency and simplicity are your best friends on this journey.
Dedicate yourself to these 15-shot routines, and you'll see improvements in 30 to 60 days.
