How do you beat your opponent when they’re bigger and stronger than you? This can be one of the toughest situations you’ll face on the court, but it can also be one of the most rewarding when you are able to successfully navigate it. Here are some strategies to use when shooting over a taller defender.
How to Shoot Over Bigger Defenders
The best way
If you want to shoot over taller defenders, confidence is key. Visualize your shots and maintain control of your movements as you release, making sure not to rush yourself. And make sure that when you do miss, you maintain a positive attitude and never let frustration take over or distract from your overall game. To practice shooting over big guys in real life, play pick-up games with bigger teammates or participate in workouts that simulate these high-stakes situations. Basketball is all about using speed and agility for height differences, so learning how fast players like Russell Westbrook and LeBron James move is a great way to hone skills when it comes time for live action.
Know that you can do it
The best shooters in basketball do one thing better than anyone else in the league: they believe in themselves. If you were to ask Stephen Curry if he believed he could hit a 30-footer from just inside half court, he would likely respond that it was an easy shot. Why? Because Curry believes he can make any shot on any given day. And more importantly, most of his shots aren’t up against big guys; there’s nothing intimidating about making a 15-foot jumper over someone who is 6’4. It’s different for players like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo—two of NBA’s biggest stars—as they play their games well above rim level.
Get your feet set on the ground
Having your feet set before you shoot the ball is an important aspect of shooting. Most players will simply assume a ready position, have their feet parallel to the basket and their toes pointing at the rim before attempting a shot. This is not always the best way to make sure you can effectively get off a shot over a defender. It may take some time to adjust if you’re used to having your toes perpendicular to the basket, but it will ultimately improve your free throw percentage if done correctly. A much better angle for most people is getting their feet set with one foot turned slightly inward (around 20-30 degrees) and have that foot at shoulder width apart from each other.
Run past them
Get around a bigger defender by using your speed. Run around, dribble to your other side, and then jump-stop for a 3-pointer. This is an effective way to get past big defenders and have time to release your shot before they catch up. You’ll only have time for one or two dribbles, so be sure you can catch up with it and are confident in your move.
Use a ball fake
A good ball fake will get the bigger defenders in the air, giving you a better angle to shoot from. A simple trick is to use your pump fake as an opportunity to drive towards the basket while maintaining control of the ball, without picking it up off the floor. This maneuver requires mastery of both dribbling and passing, but can pay big dividends in terms of shot opportunities if done right.
Use an inside out dribble move
Let’s start by talking about moves. The key to scoring over bigger defenders is to use dribble moves that throw them off. It doesn’t matter if you can shoot jumpers from all over, if you’re going up against a 7-footer who has size and reach advantages, your defender isn’t likely to get out of his way because of your ability to drill three-pointers from 30 feet away. Instead, you need moves that will beat him off the dribble and inside out shots are perfect for drawing in defenders and opening up outside looks for yourself or teammates.
Change direction
If a defender is guarding you closely, try changing direction a few times to throw them off. I know of two ways to do so: step back and dribble in another direction before moving forward, or stop short with your dribble (perhaps while turning around) then move again. This little trick can be very effective if you’re quick on your feet! But be careful; a defender who doesn’t allow for these tricks will see them coming from a mile away. Play around with it to learn what works best for you!
If you want to level up your shooting accuracy, we got you. We created the 6ixShooter Academy. A one-stop basketball training program to help elevate your game and become an unstoppable shooter with coach Seth McCoy a.k.a 6ixShooter. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
If you want to level up your shooting accuracy, we got you. We created the 6ixShooter Academy. A one-stop basketball training program to help elevate your game and become an unstoppable shooter with coach Seth McCoy a.k.a 6ixShooter. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
